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English
Quarter 4 – Module 3:
Giving Expanded Definitions
of Words
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed for you, dear learners, to provide engaging
and self-directed activities that will develop your knowledge and skills to give
expanded definitions (EN10VIIIa-13.9). In reporting, you need to discuss more
than just the dictionary meaning of words. For a concept to be understood
better, you need to explain more about an idea by giving expanded definitions.

After going through this lesson, you are expected to:

1. give the importance of forming the expanded definitions of words;
2. determine the different techniques of expanded definitions; and,
3. use a variety of techniques in expanding definitions.

What I Know

This part serves as your pre-test which will determine your background
knowledge about the lesson that we are going to discuss.

Directions: Identify if the statement is true or false. Write your answers on a

separate sheet of paper.
______________ 1. An expanded definition is an explanation and/or illustration
of a word, thing, or concept.
______________ 2. An expanded definition explains the word's etymology or
historical roots.
______________ 3. An expanded definition describes sensory characteristics of
something (how it looks, feels, sounds, tastes, smells).
______________ 4. An expanded definition indicates how something is used.
______________ 5. An expanded definition explains what a word is not, provides
an example of it, and/or notes similarities or differences
between this term and other words or things.
______________ 6. More often than not, an expanded definition persuades.

______________ 7. An expanded definition can also serve a persuasive

purpose.

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______________ 8. An expanded definition provides the etymology of a word.
______________ 9. When you write reports, you may often discover that you
need to explain certain basics before you can discuss the main
subject matter.
______________ 10. An expanded definition attempts to explain a complex
term.

Lesson Giving Expanded Definitions

1 of Words

An expanded definition is an important writing tool you will need if you

are writing for a person who is not an expert or specialist in a particular
subject. An expanded definition explains a complex or unfamiliar term to
make it easier to understand which is important to effective communication.

What’s In
Directions: Give the technical and operational definitions of the word
“computer”. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

COMPUTER
Technical Definition Operational Definition

Scoring Rubric
Criteria 10 pts 8 pts 6 pts 4 pts 2 pts
Grammar, Sentences One-two Three-four Five-six Seven and
Sentence have no error sentences sentences sentences more
Structure, at all. have have have sentences
and errors. errors. errors. have
errors.
Spelling

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Content It has It has It has It has It has
substantial sufficiently limited limited superficial
and specific developed content content or
content content with an with an minimal
demonstrating with an adequate inadequate content.
sophisticated adequate definition. definition.
definitions. definition.

Accuracy All of the Most of the Some of Few of the Only one
of definitions are definitions the definitions definition
definition factual and are factual definitions are factual is factual
correct. and are factual and and
correct. and correct. correct.
correct.

What’s New
Directions: Find the origin (etymology) of the following words using your
dictionary.

1. method - _________________________________
2. correlation - _________________________________
3. frequency - _________________________________
4. quantitative - _________________________________
5. qualitative - _________________________________

What Is It

Expanded Definition
An expanded definition defines and explains a single term, concept, or
object, pins down the meaning of a specific word, or defines an abstract
concept, and goes deeper than a simple dictionary definition.

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Techniques in Expanding Definition

1. Etymology explains the origin of the word itself.

Example:
Using the example term “arbitration”:
Arbitration comes from the Latin judicium which means “judgment”.

2. History discusses the history of the term, its use, and controversies
associated with it.
Example:
The use of arbitration as third-party mediation dates from the 1630s.
3. Cause and Effect discusses how the situation came about and what
effects it may have.
Example:
An arbitration clause is considered to be ambiguous when the parties
do not express clearly, that in case of conflict, the method to use to
settle the disagreements will be arbitration. Hence, parties are
compelled to refrain from signing confusing agreements to arbitrate,
because the general rule is that arbitration is prompted out of the
contract, and if there is not an explicit arbitration clause within the
contract it would not be an agreement to arbitrate.

4. Description lists and defines the term.

Example:

Arbitration is the process of solving an argument between people by

helping them to agree to an acceptable solution. It is the formal process
of having an outside person, chosen by both sides to a disagreement to
end the disagreement.

5. Principles of Operation discusses how something functions, including

any special materials or conditions required.
Example:
Arbitration is conducted by a trained arbiter who sets down the rules
that the parties must abide by. The object of arbitration is to obtain a
fair resolution of disputes by an impartial third party without
unnecessary expense or delay.
Parties should be free to agree on how their disputes are resolved,
subject only to such safeguards as are necessary for the public interest.
Courts should not interfere.

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6. Classification shows how the topic fits into a larger category.
Example:
Arbitration is one of the alternatives to going into a formal court to settle
disputes.

7. Contrast shows how the topic differs from others in the same class.
Example:
In an arbitration proceeding, no lawyers are present. The main
difference between arbitration and litigation law is that the court is
involved in the case of litigation, as it is a lawsuit, whereas, in
arbitration, a settlement between the parties is done outside of court.

8. Comparison shows how the topic is similar to others in the class.

Example:
As with lawsuits or other court proceedings, the decision in an
arbitration proceeding is legally binding on the parties.

9. Analogy explains and compares two dissimilar topics, where the second
is familiar to the audience.

Example:
An arbiter is like a referee–he or she listens to both sides and decides
as to who is at fault, without the intervention of outside parties.

10. Examples represent other things because they have all the main
qualities or characteristics that the thing they represent also have.
Examples:
Arbitration was used to settle the dispute between the labor union and
management.
Two people who are divorcing cannot agree on terms and allow a third
party to come in to help them negotiate.

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11. Illustrations are pictures in a book, magazine, etc. or the process of
illustrating something.

Example:

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 What’s More

Directions: Identify what technique in expanding definition is being

described in the following statements. Choose your answers from the
boxes and write them on a separate sheet of paper.

For items 1-5:

A. Analogy
B. Cause and Effect
C. Contrast
D. Description
E. Etymology
F. History

______________1. This technique uses similes or metaphors to explain a thing

as being like something else.
______________2. It states about the language roots of a word.

______________3. It compares a term to a term that has a different meaning.

______________4. It discusses the history of the term, its use, and controversies
associated with it.
______________5. It discusses how the situation came about and what effects
it may have.

For items 6-10:

A. Analogy
B. Classification
C. Description
D. Example
E. Illustration
F. Principles of Operation

______________6. It lists and defines the parts.

______________7. It discusses how the topic functions, including any special

materials or conditions required.
______________8. It shows how the topic fits into a larger category.

______________9. It is something used to represent other things because it has

all the main qualities or characteristics that they also have.

______________10. It is a picture in a book, magazine, etc. or the process of

illustrating something.

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 What I Have Learned

Directions: To check what you have learned from this module, complete the
concept map below. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper

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Techniques in
Expanding
Definition

What I Can Do
Directions: Use five techniques in expanding definitions to explain the
term “research”. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

RESEARCH
Technique in Expanding Definition My Answer
Example: Etymology The word research is derived
from the Middle French
"recherche", which means "to go
about seeking."
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

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 Assessment
Directions: Answer the questions honestly by choosing the correct letter.
Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
1. What technique in expanding definitions shows how the topic fits into
a larger category?
A. Analogy B. Classification C. Comparison D. Examples
2. What technique in expanding definitions is the process of listing and
defining the parts?
A. Cause and Effect B. Classification C. Comparison D. Description
3. What technique in expanding definitions explains the origin of the
word itself?
A. Analogy B. Comparison C. Etymology D. History
4. What technique in expanding definitions explains by comparing two
dissimilar topics, where the second is familiar to the audience?
A. Analogy B. Conclusion C. Example D. Illustration
5. What technique in expanding definitions shows how the topic differs
from others in the same class?
A. Analogy B. Classification C. Comparison D. Contrast
6. What technique in expanding definitions discusses how the situation
came about and what effects it may have?
A. Analogy B. Cause and Effect C. Classification D. Description
7. What technique in expanding definitions discusses the history of the
term, its use, and controversies associated with it?
A. Analogy B. Cause and Effect C. Classification D.History
8. What technique in expanding definitions discusses how the term
functions, including any special materials or conditions required?
A. Analogy B. Classification C. Comparison D. Principles of Operation
9. What technique in expanding definitions is shown in this sentence:
Journal comes from the Late Latin diurnalis meaning "daily."?
A. Analogy B. Classification C. Comparison D. Etymology
10. What technique in expanding definitions is shown in this sentence:

Arbitration is one of the alternatives in going into a formal court to settle

disputes?

A. Analogy B. Classification C. Comparison D. Etymology

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 Additional Activity

WRITING PROMPT!
Directions: Explain in a five-sentence paragraph the importance of giving
expanded definitions. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

CRITERIA 10 8 6 4
There are five There are There are There are
sentences. four three two
COMPLETENESS sentences. sentences. sentences.

All sentences One or two Several Many

are clear. sentences are sentences sentences
CLARITY not clear. are not are not
clear. clear.

Sentences One or two Several Many

flow sentences are sentences sentences
smoothly, are awkward, are are
structurally incorrectly awkward, awkward,
CONCISENESS correct, and constructed, incorrectly incorrectly
convey the or wordy constructed, constructed,
intended or wordy or wordy
meaning; no
wordiness
The sentence The sentence Work Work
structure is structure is contains contains
correct. generally structural multiple
Punctuation correct. Some weaknesses incorrect
and sentence
and awkward
grammatical structures.
capitalization sentences do errors. There There are
are correct. appear. There are three or four or more
MECHANICS
Everything is are one or four errors in errors in
and GRAMMAR
grammaticall two errors in punctuation punctuation
y correct. punctuation. and/or and/or
and/or capitalization capitalization
capitalization . There are . There are
. There one or several many
two grammatical grammatical
grammatical errors errors
errors.

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Office Address: Diosdado Macapagal Government Center, Maimpis City

of San Fernando (P)
Telefax: (045) 598-8580 to 89; (045) 402-7003 to 05
E-mail Address: region3@deped.gov.ph

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