Blog 8B: Extended Definitions

Authors often include extended definitions in their rhetorical writings for better audience comprehension. Extended definitions are more complex and give the essence of a word or its nature. It can be broken down into description of subjective and objective detail, compare/contrast, and process. Process is the one I will be describing because it is involved in my article. Process is when the author defines how something is done in great detail. Processes can be put with a visual aid to help the audience understand more about what is being done.

In my article, there are three examples where process is being used.

1)      “Micrographia”: the process, or condition, where someone’s handwriting  is legible at first, but shortly become illegible and very small; the effects of this condition can be lessoned when intense, physical activity has taken place, causing the muscles to contract often

2)      “Scientists have known for some time that in lab animals, forced and voluntary exercise can lead to different outcomes.” : Lab mice voluntarily run on the running wheel when one is placed in their cages. If you place the rat on the treadmill and force it to keep the same pace for a period of time with electric shocks then the activity becomes involuntary. This forced exercise proved that this form of activity can cause better results on the cognitive tests and an increase number in brain cells being formed. This experiment helps prove Dr. Alberts theory that intense workout helps motor control.

3)      “This is not a cure…”: Dr. Alberts wants to verify that patients and families of Parkinson’s should not believe that this forced activity will completely stop the tremors caused by this neurological disease. But rather, just lesson them for some time. He wants his patients to believe that they can involve themselves in everyday activities and be ashamed of their disease.