Introduction

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 461.

When we write we have to take into account the fact that our reader may not always understand the meaning of the more specialized words and expressions we wish to use. If we think this is the case, we will supply the reader with our definition of these terms. Here are some examples of writers defining terms for the reader:

1 In writing a paper on noise pollution, the writer needs to define the technical term 'perceived noise
decibels' (PNdB):

. . . aircraft noise is measured in PNdB (perceived noise decibels) - a unit which measures all the different sounds that make up a noise, and gives most importance to those that people actually find most annoying when they hear them.

2 Some words have different meanings in different special subjects, or have different meanings in different
areas of one subject. These are often particularly difficult for the reader. In this example, the fairly
common word 'interaction' is defined by the writer to make sure that both he and his readers are talking and
thinking about the same thing:

It will be convenient to end this introduction with some definitions that are implied in what has gone before and required for what is to follow. For the purpose of this report interaction (that is, face-to-face interaction) may be roughly defined as the reciprocal influence of individuals upon one another's actions when in one another's immediate physical presence.