1. When defining, always choose a specific group that gives the audience enough information. Next to each letter below is a list of three related terms. Below each list, you will find a general group name. Give a more informative, specific group name. For example:
lemon, orange, lime General group:fruit Specific group:citrus fruit
a. Related Terms:parrot, parakeet, canary General Group:birds Specific Group: colorful birds
b. Related Terms:guitar, violin, cello General Group:instruments Specific Group: string instrument
c. Related Terms:lizard, crocodile, snake General Group:animals Specific Group: reptiles
d. Related Terms:Berlin, Rome, Madrid General Group:cities Specific Group: capitals
e. Related Terms:inauguration, wedding, bar mitzvah General Group: events Specific Group: marriage event
2. Choose one term from Items 1a−1e above and key a complete and informative three-part sentence definition for it in the space below.
berlin - the capital of germany and the heart of the german automobile industry
3. In each sentence below, the group is too general to be helpful. Revise the definitions, using a more informative, specific group. For example:
The wrist is a spotbetween the human hand and the human forearm.
The wrist is a joint between the human hand and the human forearm.
a. A gesture is something that communicates an idea, a sentiment, or an attitude.
a gesture is hand signals
b. Punch is a liquid made from several ingredients.
punch is a drink that is homemade
c. A dungeon is a cold, dark place, usually underground.
a dungeon is a place prisoners are held
d. Shish kebab is a term for pieces of seasoned meat, and sometimes vegetables, roasted on skewers and served with condiments.
shish kebab is a mix of meat and vegetables
e. A match is an item tipped with a mixture that ignites when subjected to friction. a match is what you use to light a fire
PRACTICE 2-7
GIVING INFORMATIVE DEFINITIONS
1. When defining, always choose a specific group that gives the audience enough information. Next to each letter below is a list of three related terms. Below each list, you will find a general group name. Give a more informative, specific group name. For example:
lemon, orange, lime General group: fruit
Specific group: citrus fruit
a. Related Terms: parrot, parakeet, canary
General Group: birds
Specific Group: colorful birds
b. Related Terms: guitar, violin, cello
General Group: instruments
Specific Group: string instrument
c. Related Terms: lizard, crocodile, snake
General Group: animals
Specific Group: reptiles
d. Related Terms: Berlin, Rome, Madrid
General Group: cities
Specific Group: capitals
e. Related Terms: inauguration, wedding, bar mitzvah
General Group: events
Specific Group: marriage event
2. Choose one term from Items 1a−1e above and key a complete and informative three-part sentence definition for it in the space below.
berlin - the capital of germany and the heart of the german automobile industry
3. In each sentence below, the group is too general to be helpful. Revise the definitions, using a more informative, specific group. For example:
The wrist is a spot between the human hand and the human forearm.
The wrist is a joint between the human hand and the human forearm.
a. A gesture is something that communicates an idea, a sentiment, or an attitude.
a gesture is hand signals
b. Punch is a liquid made from several ingredients.
punch is a drink that is homemade
c. A dungeon is a cold, dark place, usually underground.
a dungeon is a place prisoners are held
d. Shish kebab is a term for pieces of seasoned meat, and sometimes vegetables, roasted on skewers and served with condiments.
shish kebab is a mix of meat and vegetables
e. A match is an item tipped with a mixture that ignites when subjected to friction. a match is what you use to light a fire