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 Topic
C3.2: Three Parts of a Definition
Relationships Used As Identifying
Characteristics:
Sometimes the condition of a definition will be a relationship.
A relationship is the way of connecting the information in the identifying
characteristic to the term being defined.
Way - method
Connecting - joined
together or linked
Information - word
or words
When someone asks, "What is this?" and one of the following statements
is given, two items of information are being linked or connected. The answer
to this question requires giving a relationship between something known and
something unknown.
What a student must recognize is the kind of relationship
being made between the two items of information. In the following statements
notice how one thing, the term being defined, is connected to its identifying
characteristic:
| "It" is
the term being defined. |
| It is the same as... |
comparison
|
| It is the opposite of... |
contrast
|
| An illustration of
it would be... |
example
|
| It results from... |
cause
|
| It produces... |
effect
|
What a relationship identifying characteristic does is
to connect something known to something unknown. This is done by connecting
the unknown term to an example, comparison, contrast, cause, or effect
of it that is known.
What is required in order to
understand a relationship identifying characteristic?
In order to understand the type of definition that has a relationship given
as an identifying characteristic, it is necessary to understand all of the
terms used in making the relationship.
When using terms that have a relationship as an identifying
characteristic, it is important that the terms used to make the relationship
are know by the students.
If the student does not know the term that is connected
in the definition to the term being defined, they will mechanically repeat
the definition without fully understanding it.
A relationship identifying characteristic
always requires prerequisite knowledge in order to be understood.
| Example
Used as an Identifying Characteristic |
An example when given in a definition statement
gives one or more items that have similar identifying characteristic(s)
of the term being defined.
What must be pointed out to students when an example
is used as an identifying characteristic is that there can be
many different things that appear unrelated which contain or
possess the characteristic(s) of the term being defined.
What a student needs to know is what is the common
feature of the items that can appear to be unrelated. This can
be illustrated using the definition of fuel. Items such
as oil, wood, or gas are quite different. However, they all can
be classified as fuel.
Fuel is any material, such
as oil, wood, or gas, that when burned will supply
heat or power.
The identifying characteristic of fuel "when
burned will supply heat or power" can be used as an identifying
characteristic of oil, wood or gas. Because of the technical
definition of materials that most people would not understand,
it is necessary to give examples of material that will burn are
given as fuel's identifying characteristic.
When an example is used as an identifying characteristic,
the term being defined will be a general term that can serve
as the classification for the items that are examples of it.
For instance, oil, wood and gas call all be classified as fuel
used to keep homes warm in the winter.
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| Cause
Used as an Identifying Characteristic |
A cause when used
as an identifying characteristic connects something that
will happen to produce the term being defined. A cause will always
come first in time. Notice in the definition of rust, "oxidation" or "corrosion" must
happen first.
Rust is a coating formed on
metal due to oxidation
or corrosion.
In order to know if the barrel's coating was rust,
the color would have to be caused by oxidation or corrosion.
If the color was not caused by oxidation or corrosion, the coating
could not be called rust.
In order to understand the definition of rust,
the definition of oxidation and corrosion would have to be known.
- Oxidation is the union of a substance by
oxygen.
- Corrosion is the eating or wearing away
of a finish by chemicals.
Notice in the following definitions, what information
in the identifying characteristic happens first.
A finder's fee is a fee paid
to anyone for producing a
buyer to make a purchase.
A finder's fee is paid to anyone who produces a
buyer only after a buyer makes a purchase. Therefore, "producing
a buyer to make a purchase" must happen first.
Punch drunk is a mental condition
of acting dazed or bewildered that resulted
from numerous blows on the head.
" Numerous blows to the head" happened
first. Then the mental condition called punch drunk results.
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| Effect
Used as an Identifying Characteristic |
An effect
when used as an identifying characteristic connects something
that is produced as a result of the term being defined. An effect
will always come after the cause in time. Notice in the definition
of fire extinguisher the "fire is put out comes" after
the "chemicals that are sprayed."
A fire extinguisher is
a portable device containing chemicals that are sprayed
on a fire to put it out.
Notice in the following definitions, the
information in the identifying characteristic happens as a
result of the term being defined and/or classification.
A panic is a sudden overwhelming
fear that produces irrational
behavior.
In the definition of panic, "irrational
behavior" happens after a person develops a panic.
Fuel is any material
that when consumed will result
in energy being produced.
In the definition of fuel "energy being
produced" happens after fuel is being consumed.
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| Comparison
Used as an Identifying Characteristic |
A comparison when
used as an identifying characteristic connects the identifying
characteristic(s) of a given item that is similar to the term being
defined.
Hurling is an Irish game resembling field
hockey.
In order to understand what is "hurling," you
must know what are the identifying characteristics of field hockey.
Limaciform is anything similar
to a slug or shell-less snails.
This definition requires you to link the identifying
characteristics of a "slug," or "shell-less snails" to
the term "limaciform."
When using a comparison as an identifying characteristic,
the instructor should also give the identifying characteristic(s)
of the term used to make the comparison.
When using a comparison identifying characteristic
it is easy to identify it as an example identifying characteristic.
Term used to connect the identifying characteristic to
the term being defined gives the type of relationship.
If the term used to make the connection states
the term's identifying characteristic is similar to the term
being defined, the relationship is a comparison.
If the term used to make the connection states
the term's identifying characteristic is an illustration or example
of the term being defined, the relationship is an example.
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| Contrast
Used as an Identifying Characteristic |
A contrast when
used as an identifying characteristic connects the identifying
characteristic(s) of the item as being the opposite or different
from the identifying characteristics of the term being defined.
An habitable room is a room
used for living purposes as opposed
to a bathroom or hallway.
In order to understand what is an "habitable
room", you must know what are the identifying characteristics
of a "bathroom or hallway." Then, you know that the
identifying characteristics of a "habitable room" are
different or opposite from the identifying characteristics of
a "bathroom or hallway."
Oil is any liquid kind of greasy,
combustible substance obtained from animal, vegetable or mineral
sources that is soluble in certain organic solvents but not
in water.
The definition of oil tells how oil is different
from other substances by emphasizing oil is not soluble in water.
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