While writing a technical document, you start with a definition. The definition needs to clearly outline the term you are defining.
Here are some ways you can use while defining a term:
An easy step to get started with a definition is to place a term into a classification and differentiate it from other terms for the same class.
For instance,
The how-to article is a type of expository writing that delivers information on the structural way to perform a particular task to an audience.
The how-to article is a term, and expository writing is the classification.
Furthermore, you can add extensions to give precise meaning.
For instance,
The how-to article is a type of expository writing that delivers information on the structural way to perform a particular task to an audience. Expository writing is a type of writing where the author intends to either inform or explain the subject to the reader.
Expository writing is a type of writing where the author intends to either inform or explain the subject to the reader. It is an extension.
In the case of defining a term with more than two meanings, you can use qualifiers. The qualifier is used when the general context needs to be established upfront.
For instance,
- Bug (Computing): An error in code, program, or system.
- Bug (Biology): An insect.
In the aforementioned case, computing and biology are qualifiers.
Process description vs. Mechanism description
A process description lists out the steps in the operation of a mechanism or focuses on the working of conceptual parts.
Both are different in the context of content delivered.