For Technical Reporting at Madison College

1. Creating a Formal Sentence
Definition
Martha Schwer
Madison College

2. Definition: Formal Sentence Definition
Term + General Category + Distinguishing
Feature
Example:
An arrest (term) is restraint of persons (general
category) that deprives them of freedom of
movement and binds them to the will and
control of the arresting officer.

3. Errors to Avoid
 Bad grammar “is when…”
 The class is not a synonym; it’s a larger
category of item.
 Don’t repeat the term in the general category
or distinguishing feature.