Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region I
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF ILOCOS NORTE

English 10
Quarter 4 – Module 2
Giving Technical and Operational
Definitions

MELC #1: Give technical and operational definitions.

(EN10V-IIa-13.9)

Prepared by:
Elvira A. Juan
Sta. Rosa National High School
English- Grade 10
Quarter 4 – Module 2
Technical and Operational Definition

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represent nor claim ownership over them.

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Elvira A. Juan

Editors: Victoria Quevedo, Sarilyn Agoo, Angelo Pascual

Reviewers: Ritchelle B. Dejolde, Eliza Milagros A. Rivera, Kathleen E. Fandag

Illustrator and Layout Artist: Elvira A. Juan

Management Team: Joann Corpuz

Joy Madalipay
Jenetrix Tumaneng
Ritchelle B. Dejolde

Schools Division of Ilocos Norte

Office Address: Brgy. 7B, Giron Street, Laoag City, Ilocos
Norte
Telefax: (077) 771-0960
Telephone No.: (077) 770-5963, (077) 600-2605
E-mail Address: ilocosnorte@deped.gov.ph
 10
English
Quarter 4 – Module 2
Giving Technical and Operational
Definitions
 Introductory Message
This Contextualized Learning Module (CLM) is prepared so that you, our dear
learners, can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions,
directions, exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each
lesson with ease.

This CLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-
step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-test is provided to measure your prior knowledge on the lesson. This will
show you if you need to proceed in completing this module or if you need to ask your
facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of the lesson. At the
end of this module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check your learning.
Answer keys are provided for all activities and tests. We trust that you will be honest
in using them.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher is also
provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can
best help you in your home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part
of this CLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests.
Likewise, read the instructions carefully before performing each task.

If you have any question in using this CLM or any difficulty in answering the
tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.

Thank you.
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
give technical and operational definitions. The scope of this module permits it to be
used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse
vocabulary levels of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard
sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to
correspond with the textbook you are now using.
Lesson: 1. Parts and Patterns of Definition
2. Technical vs Operational Definition
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. learn how to write definitions of words;
2. differentiate technical and operational definitions; and
3. compose technical and operational definitions.

What I Know

Directions: Read each item carefully and write the correct answer in your activity
notebook.
1. Which of the following sentences is an operational definition of the term
“intelligence”?
a. Intelligence is the collection of information of military or political value.
b. Intelligence is the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.
c. Intelligence is the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's
environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria.
d. Intelligence is the person's score on the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Test.

2. Which is a general class of the definition below?

A university is an institution where knowledge is "produced" and passed on to others.
A B C D

3. What part of the definition separates the term from the other members of the same
class?
a. term b. class c. distinguishing characteristics d. all of them

4. Which of the following is an example of technical definition?

a. In water softening, zeolite is an exchange resin that gains sodium ions while
releasing calcium and magnesium ions.
b. Guilt refers to the score on a self-reported guilt on a scale of 1-10.
c. A computer is something used in doing homework or browsing the internet.
d. The fastest ball is the one that crosses the finish line before all the other
balls.

5. Which of the following sentences provides definition?

a. A pandemic is a disease outbreak that spreads across countries or
continents.
 b. A pandemic affects more people and takes more lives than an epidemic.
c. The WHO’s pandemic alert system ranges from Phase 1 (a low risk) to Phase
6 (a full pandemic).
d. COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is a
pandemic.

For items 6-10, form a definition out of the given phrases in the box. Just choose the
best arrangement.

6. modulation and demodulation 3. a combined

device

a. 1-2-3-4-5 b. 2-5-3-4-1 c. 5-4-3-2-1 d. 2-4-1-5-3

7. is a disease 3. a new strain 5. of

coronavirus
a.1-3-4-5-2 b. 2-3-5-4-1 c. 2-1-4-3-5 d. 2-1-5-4-3

8. 1.of maintaining a safe or appropriate 3. social distancing 5. from other people

physical distance 4. is the practice
a. 1-2-3-4-5 b. 2-5-3-4-1 c. 5-4-3-2-1 d. 3-4-1-2-5

9. quarantine 3. is a period of isolation 5. of carrying

infectious disease 4. imposed when suspected
a.1-3-4-5-2 b. 2-3-5-4-1 c. 2-1-4-3-5 d. 2-1-5-4-3

10. is a substance used to 3. against one 5. or several diseases

vaccine 4. provide immunity
a.1-3-4-5-2 b. 2-3-5-4-1 c. 2-1-4-3-5 d. 2-1-5-4-3

Write T if the definition is technical and O if the definition is operational.

11. Computer memory is one of three basic components of a computer
which stores information for future use - both the data that will be
operated on as well as the programs that direct the operations to be
performed.

12. Tardiness is entering the classroom (or designated area) after the
accepted entry period.

13. Carbohydrates are a food group including sugars, starches, and

cellulose.

14. Inlfuenza is an acute highly contagious infection of the respiratory tract,

which occurs sporadically or in epidemics and that lasts up to a month.

15. Hitting is using an open or closed hand to strike or attempt to strike

the body part and/or clothing of another person/self.
Lesson
Parts and Patterns of Definition
1

What’s In

Write FD if the sentence is a full definition and ND if it is not a

definition.

1. Love is an intense feeling of deep affection.

2. Real love is utterly unconditional and exists between
families.
3. A dishonest person lives in fear that his lies can get
disclosed and then faces adversity.
4. Honesty is the quality of being sincere and true.
5. Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong
moral principles.
6. Integrity helps a person to make trustworthy bonds with
people around him.
7. Faith is focusing on the positive while having a grateful
attitude.
8. Hope is compelling because it is universal.
9. Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain
thing to happen.
10.Hope is important because hope involves the will to get
there, and different paths for you to take.

What’s New

Read the selection in the box and discover facts about viruses.

A virus is a submicroscopic infectious agent that replicates

only inside the living cells of an organism. Viruses are always
changing, and that can cause a new variant, or strain, of a virus to
form.
 Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging
from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory
Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
They’re a large family of viruses that have been around for a long time. Many of
them can cause a variety of illnesses, from a mild cough to severe respiratory
illnesses.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is defined as illness caused by a novel

coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2;
formerly called 2019-nCoV. It is one of several known viruses to infect humans.
It’s probably been around for some time in animals. Sometimes, a virus in animals
crosses over into people.  So this virus isn’t new to the world, but it is new to
humans. When scientists found out that it was making people sick in 2019, they
named it as a novel coronavirus.

How are the following words defined in the given paragraph? Write a one-
sentence definition for each item.

● Virus
● Coronaviruses
● Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19)

What It is

In its simplest form, a definition is “a statement of the meaning of a

word or word group or a sign or symbol”. In other words, a definition
explains through clarification and further explanation what we are trying to
say with one or a few short words. Aristotle would say that the definition
provides the essence (ὁρισμός horismos) of the term.

In defining a term, you actually answer the question “What is A?”

Definitions are commonly used in expository writing such as researches,
scientific and legal texts. It is also used in essays and other text types in
order to make ideas and concepts clearer.

Full definitions are composed of a term to define, the general class to which
the term belongs and a distinguishing characteristic which separates the term
from the other members of the same class. A definition uses one of these two
patterns.
Pattern 1:

Pattern 2:

Note: An article (The, A, An) may or may not be added at the beginning of each
sentence. V on the structure refers to Verb.

What’s More
 A. Go back to the definitions of anti-life acts. Fill out the chart below with the
parts of each definition.

Distinguishing Pattern
Term Class
Characteristic Used
Virus

Coronavirus

COVID 19

B. Write a full definition from each given set. Distinguish the term, class and
distinguishing characteristic. Give two sentences following the patterns you
have learned.

Example: process – receiving or giving system instruction – education

Pattern 1: Education is the process of receiving or giving system instruction.
Pattern 2: The process of receiving or giving system instruction is education.

1. person – writes book – author

Pattern 1: ____________________________________________________________
Pattern 2: ____________________________________________________________

2. vertebrates – mammals – have backbones

Pattern 1: ____________________________________________________________
Pattern 2: ____________________________________________________________

3. multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) – mobile legends – for IOS and android
devices
Pattern 1: ____________________________________________________________
Pattern 2: ____________________________________________________________

4. distance learning – classes are conducted without the students needing to

attend a school – method of studying
Pattern 1: ____________________________________________________________
Pattern 2: ____________________________________________________________

5. home – place – person lives

Pattern 1: ____________________________________________________________
Pattern 2: ____________________________________________________________

Good job, now you are ready to move on to our next lesson where you will be
learning about technical and operational definition.
 Lesso
n Technical and Operational

2 Definitions

What’s New
Study these definitions of the term happiness. Then, answer the
questions by writing the letter of your choice on the space provided.

Thirst is a distressful feeling after twenty-four hours or more

without access to water.
Thirst is a feeling of needing or wanting to drink something.

1. Which definition provides an abstract definition of the term thirst?

________
2. Which one gives a more concrete definition which can be easily
observed and measured?________
3. Which do you think is the technical definition? ________
4. Which one is the operational definition? ________
 What It Is
What is technical definition?

When you think of the word "definition," what comes to mind? If

you're like most people, you think of a dictionary's contents. What, then,
does a dictionary definition contain? Typically, dictionary definitions include
a word's
● Standard spelling
● Syllable breaks
● Pronunciation
● Part of speech
● Meaning
● Current and archaic usage
● Etymology
● Synonyms/antonyms
● Variant spellings
● Variants including suffixes

Are all dictionaries the same? And do they contain the same types of
thing? Not really. All dictionaries contain lists of words, but their contents are
otherwise markedly different. However, all different dictionaries share several
characteristics, which are characteristics of any technical definition:

● their authors focus on a particular audience;

● their contents describe the object of attention;
● their contents clarify ambiguity;
● readers can use the contents to communicate across expertise
levels;
● and readers can use the contents to solve problems.

As the name might suggest, a technical definition should explain what

a thing is. Technical definition is used to introduce the vocabulary which makes
communication in a particular field concise and clear. It tells you what the
concept or term means. It tends to be abstract, conceptual or theoretical.

Examples:

Social distancing is a practice of keeping a safe space between yourself

and other people who are not from your household.

Economic crisis is a situation where there is a severe and sudden upset

in any part of the economy. 

What is operational definition?

One of the keys to successful research, in addition to careful planning, is the

use of operational definitions in measuring the concepts and variables we are
studying or the terms we are using in our research documents.
 The specific way in which a variable is measured in a particular study is
called the operational definition. An operational definition gives an obvious,
precise, and communicable meaning to a concept that is used to ensure
comprehensive knowledge of the idea by specifying how the idea is measured and
applied within a particular set of circumstances.

This definition highlights two important things about an operational

definition:

● It gives a precise meaning to the spoken or written word, forming a

‘common language’ between two or more people.
● It defines how a term, word or phrase is used when it is applied in a
specific context. This implies that a word may have different meanings
when used in different situations.
● Operational definition is used to define the nature of variables
and the study or experiment which is relevant in the context of
the study.

Examples:

Social distancing is the practice of staying at least 6 feet (about two arm
lengths) from other people who are not from your household in both outdoor or
indoor spaces.

Let’s study these simple examples:

Hypothesis: Overexertion leads to exhaustion,

Let’s operationalize!
Overexertion – working for more than an hour
Exhaustion – extreme tiredness and incapability to work more

Operationalization varies in degree. It doesn’t simply state the absence

and presence of a certain aspect. They are expected to be as precise and
specific as possible.

Sarah likes Paul.

This statement can have many possible operational definitions.

Precision makes the study more valid and logical.

● Sarah likes talking to Paul.

● Sarah likes how Paul dresses.
● Sarah likes to date Paul.
 John would like to eat burger.

Let’s operationally define burger based on his mood and taste.

John would like to eat cheese burger.

John has a high fever.

Let’s make a more precise statement.

John’s temperature is higher than the normal temperature which

is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Operational Definition also means defining a concept in terms of how

you plan to measure that concept. Some concepts are relatively easy to
measure like weight and length.

Let’s give an operational definition for the word HAPPINESS.

It can be measured through either of the following:

● facial expression
● record of body posture
● change in brain chemistry
● cardiac function, changes in heart rate and blood pressure
● direct answer of the person

Happiness is a state of being that is seen when a person wears a smile and
possesses bright eyes.

What’s More

Write TD if the definition is technical and OD if it is Operational.

1. Anxiety exists in a person who scored 50 or higher on the Anxiety Status

Inventory Scale.
2. Weight refers to the numbers that appear when an object is placed on
a weighing scale.
3. Fever is a state when there is an abnormally high body temperature, usually
accompanied by shivering, headache, and in severe instances, delirium.
4. Fever is when a child’s temperature goes beyond 37.5 degrees Celsius.
5. Sleep deprivation is the absence of sleep for 20 hours.
6. Exercise is an activity that involves lifting weights 20 minutes a day, six
times a week.
7. A pandemic is a disease outbreak that spreads across countries or
continents.
8. Tardiness is entering the classroom (or designated area) after the accepted
entry period.
9. Intelligence is the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.
10.Happiness is the number of times per minute that a person smiles.

What I Can Do
A. In this activity, you are going to write a definition for the
given words following the format : term – class - distinguishing
characteristics.
1. Tradition
_____________________________________________________________________
2. Theatre
_____________________________________________________________________
3. Researcher
_____________________________________________________________________
4. Special Education
_____________________________________________________________________
5. Vocation
_____________________________________________________________________

B. Operationally define each level of the learners’ proficiency in a subject

using the information provided in the table.
Proficiency level Grading Scale
Advanced 90-100
Proficient 85-89
Approaching Proficiency 80-84
Developing 75-79
Beginning Below 75

1. Advanced level
_____________________________________________________________________________

2. Proficient level

_____________________________________________________________________________

3. Approaching proficiency level

_____________________________________________________________________________

4. Developing level

_____________________________________________________________________________

5. Beginning level

_____________________________________________________________________________
Assessment (Post-Test)
Directions: Read each item carefully and write the correct answer in your activity
notebook.

1. Which of the following sentences is an operational definition of the term

“intelligence”?
a. Intelligence is the collection of information of military or political value.
b. Intelligence is the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.
c. Intelligence is the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's
environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria.
d. Intelligence is the person's score on the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Test.

2. Which is general class of the definition below?

A university is an institution where knowledge is "produced" and passed on to others.
A B C D

3. What part of definition separates the term from the other members of the same
class?
a. term b. class c. distinguishing characteristics d. all of them

4. Which of the following is an example of technical definition?

a. In water softening, zeolite is an exchange resin that gains sodium ions
while releasing calcium and magnesium ions.
b. Guilt refers to the score on a self-reported guilt on a scale of 1-10.
c. A computer is something used in doing home works or browsing the
internet.
d. The fastest ball is the one that crosses the finish line before all the other
balls.

5. Which of the following sentences provides definition?

a. A pandemic is a disease outbreak that spreads across countries or
continents.
 b. A pandemic affects more people and takes more lives than an epidemic.
c. The WHO’s pandemic alert system ranges from Phase 1 (a low risk) to
Phase 6 (a full pandemic).
d. COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is a
pandemic.

For items 6-10, form a definition out of the given phrases in the box. Just choose
the best arrangement.

6. modulation and demodulation 3. a combined

device
b. 1-2-3-4-5 b. 2-5-3-4-1 c. 5-4-3-2-1 d. 2-4-1-5-3

7. is a disease 3. a new strain 5. of

coronavirus
a.1-3-4-5-2 b. 2-3-5-4-1 c. 2-1-4-3-5 d. 2-1-5-4-3

8. 1.of maintaining a safe or appropriate 3. social distancing 5. from other people

physical distance 4. is the practice
b. 1-2-3-4-5 b. 2-5-3-4-1 c. 5-4-3-2-1d. 3-4-1-2-5

9. quarantine 3. is a period of isolation 5. of carrying

infectious disease 4. imposed when suspected
a.1-3-4-5-2 b. 2-3-5-4-1 c. 2-1-4-3-5 d. 2-1-5-4-3

10. is a substance used to 3. against one 5. or several diseases

vaccine 4. provide immunity
a.1-3-4-5-2 b. 2-3-5-4-1 c. 2-1-4-3-5 d. 2-1-5-4-3

Write T if the definition is technical and O if the definition is operational.

11. Computer memory is one of three basic components of a computer which
stores information for future use - both the data that will be operated on as
well as the programs that direct the operations to be performed.

12. Tardiness is entering the classroom (or designated area) after the accepted
entry period.

13. Carbohydrates are a food group including sugars, starches, and cellulose.

14. Influenza is an acute highly contagious infection of the respiratory tract,

which occurs sporadically or in epidemics and that lasts up to a month.

15. Hitting is using an open or closed hand to strike or attempt to strike the
body part and/or clothing of another person/self.

Write an operational definition for each underlined idea in the space provided.
Questions are given after each situation to guide you.
1. Only the poorest of the poor received the cash assistance from the government.

Who are the poorest of the poor?

The term poorest of the poor refers to families

2. Students who are good readers are assigned to tutor their peers.

What observable characteristics do good readers have?

Good readers are learners

3. You can be protected from infectious diseases by washing your hands

thoroughly.

What does washing your hands thoroughly mean? What materials are used and
how long is the washing done?
Washing your hands thoroughly means

4. Chronically absent learners usually have low performance in math.

When do we call a student a chronically absent learner? How many days in a

month are they absent?
The term chronically absent learners refer to those who

What is a performance in math? How is it measured?

Performance in math refers to ________________________________________

5. Students who show outstanding academic performance will be given a

scholarship.
What does an outstanding performance mean? What is the basis?
Outstanding scholastic performance means having _______________________
________________________________________________________________
 D

What’s More

A.

B.
1. Pattern 1: An author is a person who writes a book.
Pattern 2: A person who writes a book is called an author.
vertebrates – mammals – have backbones
Pattern 1:
____________________________________________________________
Pattern 2:
____________________________________________________________
Pattern 1: Vertebrates are mammals that have backbones
Pattern 2: Mammals that have backbones are called
vertebrates.
.

Pattern 1: Mobile legends is a multiplayer online battle arena

(MOBA) for IOS and android devices.
Pattern 2: The multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) for IOS
and android devices is known as Mobile legends.
Pattern 1: Distance learning is a method of studying in
 Pattern 1: Mobile legends is a multiplayer online battle arena
(MOBA) for IOS and android devices.
Pattern 2: The multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) for IOS
and android devices is known as Mobile legends.
Pattern 1: Distance learning is a method of studying in
which classes are conducted without the students needing to
go to school.
References:
Pattern 2: The method of studying in which classes are
conducted without the students needing to go to school is
called
Arnett, distance
Jonathan, learning.
"02.14: Technical Definitions and Descriptions" (2019). Open
Pattern 1: A home
Technical Communication. is a place where a person lives.
15. https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/opentc/15
Pattern 2: A place where a person lives is called a home.
“Operational
questions byDefinition
writing theinletter
Research.” IEduNote,
of your choice www.iedunote.com/operational-
on the space provided.
definition. Retrieved April 10, 2021
What’s New
Requillo, Jayson, English Quarter 2 - Module 1Defining a Term. 2020. Deped
Division 1.
of A
Bukidnon
B
B
A

What’s More
OD Assessment:
OD
TD D
OD
OD B
OD
TD C
OD
TD A
OD
A

What I Can Do B
(Answers may vary)
1. Advance level learners are Cthe students whose grades are ranging from
90-100.
2. Proficient level learners are D
the students whose grades are ranging from
85-89.
A
3. Approaching proficiency level learners are the students whose grades are
ranging 80-84.
4. Developing level learners are the students whose grades are ranging from
75-79.
5. Beginning level learners are the students whose grades are below 75.