✍️ Writing Definitions Worksheet

ENGLR 005 - ENGLT 022 - Unit 6

📚 How to Write Definitions - Step by Step

📝 Step-by-Step Guide:

STEP 1: Choose Your Format

Pick ONE of these three ways to start your definition:

  • Format 1: According to [Source], [term]...
  • Format 2: [Source] defines [term] as...
  • Format 3: In [Source], [term]...

Example: According to Dictionary.com, internet...

STEP 2: Add IS or ARE

Ask yourself: Is the word SINGULAR or PLURAL?

  • If SINGULAR (one thing) → use is
  • If PLURAL (more than one) → use are

Example: According to Dictionary.com, internet is... (singular)

Note: If you chose Format 2 "defines...as", you skip this step!

STEP 3: Open Quotation Marks

After "is/are" or "as", put an opening quotation mark "

Example: According to Dictionary.com, internet is "...

STEP 4: Write the Class/Category

Look at the table and copy the Class/Category column exactly as written.

Example: According to Dictionary.com, internet is "a vast computer network...

STEP 5: Add the Relative Pronoun (who or that)

Ask yourself: Is this about PEOPLE or THINGS?

  • If it's about PEOPLE → use who or that
  • If it's about THINGS → use that

Example: According to Dictionary.com, internet is "a vast computer network that... (it's a thing)

Another example: engineer is "a person who... (it's a person - can also use "that")

STEP 6: Write the Characteristics

Look at the table and copy the Characteristics column exactly as written.

Example: According to Dictionary.com, internet is "a vast computer network that links smaller computer networks worldwide...

STEP 7: Close with Quotation Mark and Period

Finish with a closing quotation mark " and a period .

Final result: According to Dictionary.com, internet is "a vast computer network that links smaller computer networks worldwide."

✅ Complete Example - Follow All 7 Steps:

STEP 1: According to Dictionary.com,
STEP 2: According to Dictionary.com, internet is
STEP 3: According to Dictionary.com, internet is "
STEP 4: According to Dictionary.com, internet is "a vast computer network
STEP 5: According to Dictionary.com, internet is "a vast computer network that
STEP 6: According to Dictionary.com, internet is "a vast computer network that links smaller computer networks worldwide
STEP 7: According to Dictionary.com, internet is "a vast computer network that links smaller computer networks worldwide."

Quick Reference:

1. IS or ARE?

• Singular words (one) = is → internet, papaya, engineer, smartphone, library, telescope

• Plural words (many) = are → projectors, elephants, dolphins, scientists

2. Articles (a, an, the, or nothing)?

Use "a" or "an"
Before singular countable nouns
✓ a person, an engineer, a device
Use NO article
Before plural nouns
✓ elephants, projectors, devices, people

3. WHO or THAT?

• For PEOPLE: use who or that → a person who designs / a person that designs

• For THINGS: use that only → a device that makes calls

Three Definition Formats:

Format 1: According to...
According to [Source], [term] is/are "[class/category that characteristics]."
Format 2: [Source] defines...
[Source] defines [term] as "[class/category that characteristics]."
Format 3: In [Source]...
In [Source], [term] is/are "[class/category that characteristics]."
✅ More Examples - Learn from Good & Bad Definitions

✓ CORRECT Examples - All Three Formats:

Example 1 - Format 1 (According to...):
According to Cambridge.com, papaya is "a large, yellow, melon-like fruit that grows in tropical regions."
✓ Source mentioned | ✓ Term included | ✓ "is" for singular | ✓ Quotation marks | ✓ "that" for things | ✓ Period at end
Example 2 - Format 2 (defines...as):
Googledictionary.com defines elephants as "large plant-eating mammals that shape the environment through their eating habits."
✓ Source mentioned | ✓ Term included | ✓ No "is/are" needed with this format | ✓ Quotation marks | ✓ "that" for things | ✓ Period at end
Example 3 - Format 3 (In...):
In Cambridge.com, engineer is "a person who designs, builds or maintains machines or structures."
✓ Source mentioned | ✓ Term included | ✓ "is" for singular | ✓ Quotation marks | ✓ "who" for people | ✓ Period at end
Example 4 - Using "that" for people (also correct!):
According to Oxforddictionary.com, teachers are "people that educate students and facilitate learning."
✓ For people, both "who" and "that" are acceptable!

✗ INCORRECT Examples - Common Mistakes to Avoid:

❌ Missing quotation marks:
According to Dictionary.com, smartphone is a mobile device that makes calls and runs applications.
Fix: Add " " around the definition
❌ Wrong verb (should be ARE for plural):
In Oxforddictionary.com, projectors is "devices that show an image on a screen."
Fix: projectors are (plural words need "are")
❌ Missing relative pronoun (who/that):
Cambridge.com defines scientists as "people study natural phenomena and conduct experiments."
Fix: people who study... OR people that study...
❌ Wrong pronoun (should be THAT for things, not WHO):
According to Dictionary.com, volcano is "a mountain who erupts with lava."
Fix: a mountain that erupts (use "who" only for people)
❌ Missing period at the end:
In Cambridge.com, library is "a place that stores books and provides resources for reading and research"
Fix: Add a period: research."
❌ Wrong source:
According to Wikipedia, dolphins are "marine mammals that live in groups."
Fix: Use the correct source from the table (Cambridge.com)
📖 Dictionary Entries

Use these dictionary entries to write your definitions. Remember to add the relative pronoun ("who" or "that") to connect the class/category with the characteristics:

Source Term Class/Category Characteristics
Dictionary.com internet a vast computer network links smaller computer networks worldwide
Cambridge.com papaya a large, yellow, melon-like fruit grows in tropical regions
Oxforddictionary.com projectors devices show an image on a screen
Googledictionary.com elephants large plant-eating mammals shape the environment through their eating habits
Cambridge.com engineer a person designs, builds or maintains machines or structures
Dictionary.com smartphone a mobile device makes calls and runs applications
Cambridge.com dolphins marine mammals live in groups and communicate using sounds
Oxforddictionary.com library a place stores books and provides resources for reading and research
Googledictionary.com scientists people study natural phenomena and conduct experiments
Cambridge.com telescope an optical instrument magnifies distant objects in space
Dictionary.com volcano a mountain erupts with lava, rock fragments, and gas
Oxforddictionary.com teachers people educate students and facilitate learning
Cambridge.com robot a machine performs tasks automatically without human control
Googledictionary.com hospitals institutions provide medical and surgical treatment for sick or injured people
Dictionary.com artist a person creates works of visual, auditory, or performance art
0 of 15 Completed
✏️ Practice Exercises

Write definitions for each word using the dictionary entries from the table above. You have 15 practice exercises to master definition writing. Remember to use the correct relative pronoun (who/that) to connect the class/category with the characteristics!

1 Write a definition for: internet (singular)
2 Write a definition for: papaya (singular)
3 Write a definition for: projectors (plural)
4 Write a definition for: elephants (plural)
5 Write a definition for: engineer (singular)
6 Write a definition for: smartphone (singular)
7 Write a definition for: dolphins (plural)
8 Write a definition for: library (singular)
9 Write a definition for: scientists (plural)
10 Write a definition for: telescope (singular)
11 Write a definition for: volcano (singular)
12 Write a definition for: teachers (plural)
13 Write a definition for: robot (singular)
14 Write a definition for: hospitals (plural)
15 Write a definition for: artist (singular)
💡 Remember: Singular words use "is" | Plural words use "are" | Use "that" for things or "who/that" for people | Put " " around the complete definition | End with a period!