"...So that we're all talking about the same thing."

Sam has brought up the topic of Biology a few times in regard to definitions, so I would like to bring up Chemistry. For those of you that have Mr. Lo, you have frequently heard him say something like, "Okay, so here are some definitions for you to copy down so that we're all talking about the same thing." As Mr. Lazarow mentioned, those in our class of AP English III are in the minority of people who have read Hayakawa's book, so chances are good that Mr. Lo said this in ignorance of Hayakawa's principles and the discussions that we've had in class. I think it's very interesting how important definitions are-- they allow us to have a base from which to build on, they are the foundation of all conversation, debate, etc., so that we know before we start that "we are all talking about the same thing." Especially in Chemistry, but in any area, without definitions, we'd be in a lot of trouble. We could hold a conversation with another person, use the same "words", but be talking about completely different things (this brings to mind the fact that words are only symbols of their definitions). There must be some sort of linguistic cooperation, as Hayakawa mentions and stresses in chapter one, in order for society to continue to exist. In Chemistry, it is of utmost importance for us to have definitions to work with before we can do a lab or solve an equation.

I just thought that throwing in another example of the importance of definitions might be helpful. I hope it is!

(Emily Thompson)