ENGL 1033
Assignment 2: Extended Definition
This assignment consists of two parts: (1) an extended definition and (2) a memo. An extended definition
is a detailed clarification of an object, mechanism, process, or concept. Your memo, as in Assignment 1,
will be addressed to your instructor and will explain the rhetorical choices you made while writing your
extended definition.
Planning:
For your extended definition, select a topic you wish to research. Next, identify the larger document you
would anticipate your definition appearing in (e.g., a user’s manual, a textbook, an advertisement, a legal
document). This larger document will determine your audience, which will then determine how specific
you need to be with your definition and how formal its tone will be.
Organization:
Begin your extended definition with a sentence definition, which is a broad one-sentence definition of
your topic. Sentence definitions begin with “(topic) is/was a/the…” (examples: A guitar is a musical
instrument belonging to the string family; George Washington was the first president of the United
States).
From here, there are eight definition strategies you can use to write your extended definition. Your topic
will determine which ones you use; however, you should plan to use several of them.
Visuals: provide a graphic representation of a topic. For example, for a definition of the water cycle, the
writer might use a visual illustration of the process to supplement his or her written description.
Examples: explain an abstract or complicated topic. For example, for a definition of compound exercise,
the writer might provide several compound exercises as examples (squat, bench press, deadlift, etc.).
Partition: divides complex topics into multiple categories. For example, for a definition of diabetes, the
writer would want to partition the three kinds of diabetes (type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational
diabetes) and discuss them one at a time rather than try to define them all at the same time.
Principle of Operation: defines a process or an object involved in a process; as such, it is likely to appear
in documents like a user’s manual or instructions. For example, for a definition of four wheel drive, the
writer could explain, step-by-step, how four-wheel drive works.
Comparison and Contrast: useful when the topic consists of two categories with clear similarities and
differences. For example, for a definition of electric current, the writer might want to set up the definition
as a comparison/contrast between the two types of electric current: alternating current (AC) and direct
current (DC).
