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 Topic
C3: Three Parts of a Definition
Introduction
An atom is defined as the smallest
particle of an element that combines with similar particles of other
elements to produce compounds.
Content
- What is the condition of the identifying characteristics?
- What are the types of identifying characteristics?
- What questions should be asked to determine the
- condition of the identifying characteristics?
- Teaching Suggestions
What is a definition outline?
A definition outline is an outline that reveals the three parts of a definition
and the condition of the identifying characteristics.
Each of the definitions that follow are placed into a
definition outline. The advantage of placing the three parts of
a definition into an outline is that each part of the definition can
be easily recognized.
Students should be encouraged to make definition outlines
on index cards of the new terms introduced in a course. By having
the definition of the new terms on index cards, the new terms' definitions
can be reviewed quickly and easily.
What are the three parts of
a definition statement?
All definitions have three parts: term being defined, classification and identifying
characteristic(s). In order to learn, understand, and use the definition
of a term, it is necessary to identify the three parts of a definition.
| Term
Being Defined |
| The term being defined is
the part of a definition statement that serves as a label for the
classification and identifying characteristic(s). |
A primary group is
a small group of people whom we associate with by living together
with them. |
| In the sociology definitions given,
the term being defined is given in bold faced print. |
A casual group is a small group
of people whom we associate with for companionship and friendship. |
| It is easier to use the term being defined
in a statement instead of using the definition of each individual
word. For example, it is quicker and easier to say, “Tour
packages receive discount prices by hotels and restaurants because
breakage.” |
A therapeutic group is a small
group of people who are interested in changing their behavior, values,
and attitudes. |
| If you had to use in place of breakage “the
financial gain to a hotel when meals or other services included
in a package are not used by the guests,” it would greatly
increase the amount of words needed to communicate. Communication
would be very difficult or impossible if each term used in a statement
had to be defined. |
A problem-solving group is
a small group of people whom have a specific goal of finding a
solution to a specific problem.
An educational group is a small group of people
whom are interested in becoming educated on a certain topic.
|
| Classification |
| The classification is the
part of a definition statement that tells under what category or
group a term is located. |
A primary group is
a small group of people whom we associate with by living together
with them. |
| In the sociology definitions given,
the classification of each term is underlined. |
A casual group is a small group
of people whom we associate with for companionship and friendship. |
| The classification in a definition statement
tells what common feature the term being defined shares with other
terms. Here you can see each sociology term has the
common feature of being a “small group of people.” Therefore,
a "small group of people" is the classification of each
of these sociology terms. |
A therapeutic group is a small
group of people who are interested in changing their behavior,
values, and attitudes.
A problem-solving group is a small group
of people whom have a specific goal of finding a solution
to a specific problem.
An educational group is a small group
of people whom are interested in becoming educated
on a certain topic.
|
| Identifying
Characteristic(s) |
| The identifying characteristic
of each of the sociology terms being defined is italicized. Notice
that each of the sociology terms has a different identifying characteristic. |
A primary group is
a small group of people whom we associate with by living together
with them. |
| A term's identifying characteristic(s)
tell you how that term being defined is unique or different from
other terms that share the same classification. |
A casual group is a small group
of people whom we associate with for companionship and friendship. |
| It is the identifying characteristic(s)
of a definition statement giving the term's unique identifying
characteristic(s) that permit you to identify something as an example
of the term being defined. This will be explained later. |
A therapeutic group is a small
group of people who are interested in changing their behavior,
values, and attitudes.
A problem-solving group is a small group
of people whom have a specific goal of finding a solution
to a specific problem.
An educational group is a small group
of people whom are interested in becoming educated
on a certain topic.
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