Definition Essays

What is it?

• A definition essay is writing that explains what a term means.

What is it?

• Some terms have definite concrete meanings.
• "Glass," "desk," "book" have concrete meanings.

What is it?

• Other terms have abstract meanings.
• These terms depend more on a person's point of view.

Examples

• Hero
• Love
• Family
• Patriotism

Why do we do it?

• Many of our laws, procedures, and policies depend on definitions.
• In order to agree to disagree, we sometimes need definitions to clarify the argument or claim.

How do we do it?

• Define the term precisely.
• Provide clear information.
• Use facts, examples, and anecdotes that connect with readers.

How do we do it?

• The analysis must go deeper than a dictionary definition.
• You should attempt to explain why the term is defined as such.

Possible Methods

• Describe it
• Provide anecdotes
• Compare/contrast
• Provide examples
• Classify and identify

Informal definition essays

• This does not mean that the essay is informal.
• It means that you are not writing a definition for a dictionary.

Informal definition essays

• This does not mean that the essay is informal.
• It means that you are not writing a definition for a dictionary.

The focus may be on

• words or phrases that are misunderstood or misused;
• an abstract term with particular meaning to the writer; or
• a commonplace word that needs rethinking or a new understanding.

Working with Definitions

• Should an SUV be considered a truck or a car?
• Who cares?
• Why does this matter?

Working with Definitions

• What is a "health bar" as opposed to a "candy bar"
• Why would a company want to legally advertise its products as healthy?

Working with Definitions

• What is the formal definition of "cruelty to animals" according to PETA?
• What are some examples that PETA considers to be cruelty to animals?
• Is a zoo or biomedical research lab a place where animals are treated cruelly?

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Working with Definitions

• Brainstorm a list of three or four phrases like these.
• Discuss the methods of defining that could be used to support a definition.

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