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English
Quarter 4 - Module 2
Technical and Operational
Definition of Words

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English – Grade 10
Self-Learning Module
Quarter 4 – Module 2: Technical and Operational Definition of Words
First Edition, 2021

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over them.

Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio
Regional Director: Tolentino G. Aquino
Assistant Regional Director: Ronald B. Castillo
CLMD Chief: Arlene A. Niro
Development Team of the Module
Writers /Layout Artists : Lilet G. Galisim
: Aldrin M. Ortiz
Reviewers : Fe Corazon S. Ladislao (Content)
: Rhodora Kaye O. Cabrera (Language/Layout)
: Jeany V. Barrozo
: Hyacinth L. Balila
: Julius P. Collado
: Judel R. Dones
: Evelyn G. Velasquez
: Christopher L. Infante, EdD
Illustrator : Jay C. Visperas

MANAGEMENT TEAM
OIC, Schools Division Superintendent : Ely S. Ubaldo, CESO VI
Asst. Schools Division Superintendent : Marciano U. Soriano Jr., CESO VI
Chief Education Supervisor, CID : Carmina C. Gutierrez, EdD
Education Program Supervisor, LRMDS : Michael E. Rame, EdD
Education Program Supervisor, English : Marilou D. Roldan, PhD
District Supervisor : Christopher L. Infante, EdD
School Head In-Charge : Evelyn G. Velasquez
Department Head, English : Fe Corazon S. Ladislao

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Department of Education – Region I
SDO 1 Pangasinan
Office Address: Alvear St. Lingayen, Pangasinan
Telephone No.(075) 522- 2202

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Email Address: pangasinan1@deped.gov.ph

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English
Quarter 4 - Module 2
Technical and Operational
Definition of Words

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Introductory Message

For the facilitator:

Welcome to the English – Grade 10 Self-Learning Module on

Technical and Operational Definition of Words.

This module was collaboratively designed, developed, and reviewed

by educators both from public and private institutions to assist you, the
teacher or facilitator in helping the learners meet the standards set by the
K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming their personal, social, and economic
constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and
independent learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore,
this also aims to help learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while
taking into consideration their needs and circumstances.

Notes to the Teacher: This contains helpful tips or strategies that

will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to

use this module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress
while allowing them to manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are
expected to encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks
included in the module.

For the learner: Welcome to the English – Grade 10 Self-Learning Module

on Technical and Operational Definition of Words.

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and
time. You will be enabled to process the contents of the learning resource
while being an active learner. This module has the following parts and
corresponding icons:

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What I Need to This will give you an idea of the skills or
Know competencies you are expected to learn in the
module!
What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to check
what you already know about the lesson to take. If
you get all the answers correct (100%), you may
decide to skip this module.
What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link the
current lesson with the previous on
What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be introduced to
you in various ways; a story, a song, a poem, a
problem opener, an activity, or a situation.
What Is It This section provides a brief discussion of the
lesson. This aims to help you discover and
understand new concepts and skills.
What’s More This comprises activities for independent practice
to solidify your understanding and skills of the
topic. You may check the answers to the exercises
using the Answer Key at the end of the module.
What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank
sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process what
you learned from the lesson.
What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will help you
transfer your new knowledge or skill into real life
situations or concerns.
Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your level of
mastery in achieving the learning competency.
Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given to you
to enrich your knowledge or skill of the lesson
learned.
Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the
module.

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 At the end of this module, you will also find:
References. This is a list of all sources used in developing this
module
The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any
part of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the
exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other
activities included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through
with it.

If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module,

do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind
that you are not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful

learning and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You
can do it!

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 What I Need to Know

This learning module will provide you with opportunities to enhance

the different competencies in English through a variety of contextualized
and differentiated learning activities.
In this module, you will be guided to give technical and operational
definition of words (Quarter IV MELC no. 2)
After going through this module, you are expected to attain the
following competencies:
a. distinguish technical definition from operational definition of
terms;
b. give technical and operational definition of terms;
b. define terms using technical and operational definition.

What I Know

Pretest
Directions: In the box is a pool of words. Read each definition and then
choose the defined word from the pool. Write your answer in your answer
sheet.

a. Coronavirus d. quarantine g. vulnerable groups h. vaccine

b. face mask e. Protective Personal Equipment i. asymptomatic
c. isolation f. social distancing j. immunity

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______ 1. The restriction of movement, or separation from the rest of the
population, of healthy persons who may have been exposed to
the virus, with the objective of monitoring their symptoms and
ensuring early detection of case.
______ 2. A type of common virus that infects humans leading to upper
respiratory infection.
______ 3. It is a protection from an infectious disease notwithstanding
exposure; a person will not get infected.

_______4. The practice of maintaining a greater than usual physical

distance such as one (1) meter to avoid contact with other
people or object during the outbreak of contagious disease to
minimize exposure and reduce transmission of infection.

______ 5. A substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and

provide immunity against one or several diseases, prepared
from the causative agent of a disease, its products, or a
synthetic substitute, treated to act as an antigen without
inducing the disease.

______ 6. No signs of disease can be found, or no evidence can be seen of

illness.

______ 7. A piece of polypropylene or cotton fiber for the mouth and nose
that is worn to reduce the spread of infectious agents such as
viruses or bacteria.

______ 8. They are socially disadvantage groups that are most susceptible
to suffer directly from disasters and health events, including
senior citizens immune compromised persons with disabilities,
members of indigenous peoples, internally displaced persons,
among others.

______ 9. The separation of ill or infected persons from others to prevent

the spread of infection or contamination.

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______ 10. Protective garments or equipment worn by individuals to
increase personal safety from infectious agents.

What’s In

Directions: Read the following statements and take note how some of
the words are defined. Analyze and answer the given questions and write
them on the space provided.
1. Hypothesis is a research terminology which states a tentative
answer showing how two or more variables are related.
How is the word hypothesis defined?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
2. Questionnaire is a research tool that is commonly used to
gather or collect data.
What word is being defined in the statement above?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3. Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) refers to the
implementation of temporary measures imposing stringent
limitations on movements and transportation of people, strict
regulations of operating industries, provision of food and
essential services and heightened presence of uniformed
personnel to enforce community quarantine protocols as
defined in DEpEd Order No.011, S 2020.
What is defined in this sentence? How is it defined?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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 4. Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) is a
transition between General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and
New Normal. In this phase, work resumes in private and
public sector at 100% capacity, public transportation resumes
and normal physical classes may continue but with
enforcement of mask and face shield-wearing, physical
distancing, and health protocols.

How is Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) is defined?

Was it defined by means of explanation or description? Or was it
defined by process and application?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
5. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary a virus is any of a
large group of submicroscopic infectious agents that are
usually regarded as nonliving extremely complex molecules,
that typically contain a protein coat surrounding an RNA or
DNA core of genetic material but no semipermeable
membrane, that are capable of growth and multiplication only
in living cells, and that cause various important diseases in
humans, animals, and plants (Merriam-Webster, n.d.)
What word is being defined in the statement above? Is the source
stated?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What’s New

Directions: Observe the conversation in the comic strip below and find
out what the characters are talking about by answering the questions that
follow.

What is a diagnosis
Good morning Doctor Doctor?
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Jen, how is my mother ?
 1. Who are the two characters in the comic strip? What kind of
relationship does the characters in the comic strip have?
_____________________________________________________________________
2. What was the unfamiliar word mentioned in the comic strip?
_____________________________________________________________________
3. How was the word defined in the story?
_____________________________________________________________________

What Is It?
In writing your research, you need to work on definition of terms. So,
as a research writer, you need to familiarize yourself on how you can
define words in different ways.

A. TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Technical definition is a kind of definition that explains or describes
the details of a certain word to make the meaning completely clear, and
the shorter way possible in the technical sense.
Example:

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 A car is a moving vehicle that has four wheels and run by a machine
that is fueled by gas. It is primarily for passengers.

Types of Technical Definitions

1. Parenthetical Definitions
Parenthetical definitions are words that quickly explain a term and
are included within the same sentence as the word being defined. These
informal definitions can be a synonym or a short phrase. The definition will
be placed in parentheses immediately following the word being defined.
Parenthetical definitions are used to explain words that need
clarification but are not the focus of the document.
Example:
The government has passed Republic Act 9710 (Magna Carta for
Women) to affirm the role of women in nation building and to ensure the
substantive equality of women and men.
Notice that the term being defined, Republic Act 9710, does not
need a lengthy explanation for readers to understand the concept of the
sentence. Instead, a technical term is placed immediately after the word
that explains the concept being defined.

2. Sentence Definitions
It provides additional information needed to make the definition
clearer and understandable. This kind of definition is more formal than
parenthetical definition and it gives more intensive additional information
needed. Sentence definition follows a similar form that includes:
 the word being defined;
 the class to which the word belongs; and
 the feature that distinguishes the term from other words.
Example:
The heart is an organ that pumps blood through the body.
Notice that the word being defined is provided first (heart), then the
word is put into a class or category (organ), and finally, distinguishing
features are explained (pumps blood).

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3. Extended Definitions
Extended definitions use a paragraph or more to expand a word
that may be difficult to comprehend. An extended definition almost always
starts with a sentence definition, but then expands on the word by
providing additional sentences about one or more of the following:
 the function of the term;
 the location of the term;
 the physical traits of the term; and
 the causes and effects of the term.

Example: Friendship is a state of acquaintance between or among

people characterized by a strong bond of shared concern and caring. In
true friendship the bond is mutually shared. This is, if either one of two
friends is involved in a difficulty, such as problems with failing courses at
school, problems with parents at home, or even problems of a much more
serious nature, the other friend will provide help, encouragement, show
concern, and perhaps even direct intervention.

B. OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
Operational Definition is a kind of definition that explains a word in
detail and in specific way that gives a clear and precise meaning to a
subject - by specifying how the subject is assessed. It gives procedures,
action, or process by which it could be observed. It is a definition that
includes information from the real world.
When we say operational definition, we are talking of ideas or
details that are defined by an individual objectively and measurably, it
defines on how a person sees, feels, and thinks. And there are two
important things that we should consider about an operational definition:
First, a precise meaning must be given to the spoken or written word that
could form a common language within a number of individuals; second, a
term should be defined using word or phrase that is applicable in a

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specific context. A word may mean differently when used in various
situations.
Example:
Stress is when a person is experiencing a mild headache,
feeling nervous, and having sweaty palms. (Take note that the word
is defined in detail and in a specific way. The meaning is clear and
precise. But there is no source stated because this definition could have
been formed based on observation or experience.)

What’s More

Directions: Construct the operational definition of the following words

below. Accomplish the chart below.

Terms Operational Definition

Hospital

Patient

Research

Internet

Cellphone

What I Have Learned

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Directions: Complete the illustration below with your own statements.

From this module, we have learned that . . .

technical definition is…

operational definition is…

What I Can Do

Directions: You are representing your school in an essay writing contest.

The topic is about avoiding the spread of COVID-19. In a separate sheet of
paper, write an introduction for your essay stating the operational and/or
technical definition of Covid-19.

Assessment

Directions: TRUE OR FALSE: Write TRUE if the statement is true and

FALSE if otherwise.
1. A word may mean differently when used in various situations.
2. Technical definition gives procedures, action, or process by which it
could be observed.
3. Extended definitions are the use of a paragraph or more to expand on a
word that may be difficult to comprehend.
4. Sentence definition is more formal than parenthetical definition.
5. The extended definition will be placed in parentheses immediately
following the word being defined.

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 6. Parenthetical definitions are used to explain words that need
clarification but are not the main focus of the document.
7. Operational definition includes information from the real world.
8. When we say operational definition, we are talking of ideas or details
that are defined by an individual objectively and measurably.
9. A flower is a part of a plant that blooms and produces pollen and
seeds and is usually colorful. This is a technical definition of flower.
10. The flower is the specialized part of an angiospermous plant that
occurs singly or in clusters, possesses whorls of often colorful petals
or sepals, and bears the reproductive structures (such as stamens or
pistils) involved in the development of seeds and fruit. The
statement you just read is in technical term. This is a technical
definition of flower.

Additional Activity

Directions: Determine how you can relate from the scenario reflected in the
given images below. Write the term in column B and give each definition in
column C. (For instance, you see yourself as a gardener. Then, give the
term’s technical and operational definitions accordingly.)

Image Term Definition

Technical

Operational

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 Technical

Operational

Answer Key
What I What I What I Can Assessment Additional
Know Have Do 1. t 6.t Activity
1. d 6.i Learned 2. f 7. t
2. a 7. b Answers 3. t 8. t Answers
3. j 8. g Answers may vary. 4. t 9. f may vary.
4. f 9. c may vary. 5. f 10. t
5. h 10. e

What’sMore

Terms Technical Definition Operational

Definition
Hospital is a healthcare institution providing the Answers may
Hospital sick and injured treatment with specialized vary.
medication. (Merriam-Webster, 1828)

Patient is an individual awaiting or under

Patient medical care treatment. ( Merriam-Webster,
1828)

Trending is showing a current style or

Trending preference (Meeriam-Webster, 1598)
Subscribers are persons who have access to
Subscribers something (such as a periodical or service) as
part of an arrangement to receive a certain
number of regular deliveries on a certain period
of continuous access especially by prepayment.
(Merriam-Webster, n.d.)

Reading is uttering aloud the printed or written

Reading words. (Merriam-Webster, n.d.)

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REFERENCES:

BIBLIOGRAPHY (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ou.edu/englhale/extdef.html

(n.d.). Retrieved April 12, 2021, from Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VtSFAQIfGs
Merriam-Webster. (1828). Retrieved from https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/patient
American Psychological Association. (2018, June). Retrieved 2018, from
@2020 American Psychological Association.
DepEd Order No 14, s 2020. (2020, June 25). Retrieved from Department
of Education:
https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DO_s2020_0
14.pdf
DepEd Order No. 11, s 2020. (2020, June 15). Retrieved from Department
of Education:
https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DO_s2020_0
11-Revised-Guidelines-on-Alternative-Work-Arrangements.pdf
Editage Insights. (2019, March 25). Retrieved from Editage Insights Global
Sites: https://www.editage.com/insights/how-to-write-operational-
definition-of-terms#:~:text=Operational%20definition%20of
%20terms%20refers,how%20to%20collect%20the%20data
Gatmaitan, S. S. (2020, May 13). Lexology. Retrieved from SyCip Salazar:
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=6bfbd258-706a-
4019-bd4c-378051f87ac9
IEduNote. (2021, April 12). Retrieved 2021, from
https://www.ou.edu/englhale/extdef.html.
LIVESCIENCE. (n.d.). Retrieved from The Best of Live Science:
https://www.livescience.com/quarantine.html
Merriam- Webster. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/hospital
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Retrieved 2021, from @2021Meriam-Webster
Incorporated.
Merriam-Webster.com. (2021, April 13). Retrieved April 10, 2021, from
Merriam-Webster. Com:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20distancing

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Ranada, P. (2020, May 12). Rappler IQ. Retrieved from
pia.ranada@rappler.com:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/explainer-what-is-modified-
ecq-gcq
UVA Health. (2020). Retrieved from @2021 Rector and Visitors of the
University of Virginia.

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