definition essay lecture 9. recap how to write a descriptive essay? steps for writing an descriptive...

Definition Essay

Lecture 9

Recap

• How to Write a Descriptive Essay?• Steps for Writing an Descriptive Essay• Topic Selection for Descriptive Essay• Key Points to Consider• Dos and Don’ts• Common Mistakes• Example

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Definition Essay

A definition essay attempts to define a specific

term. It could try to pin down the meaning of a

specific word, or define an abstract concept.

Examples: A definition essay may try and define . . .* the meaning of an abstract concept, like love;* the true meaning and importance of honesty; * how the meaning of family goes deeper than just your blood relatives.

How to Write a Definition Essay?• In a definition essay, you explain the meaning of a

certain term by giving a detailed description of it.• You support your definition with clear examples or

facts. • Such explanations are needed if a term is:– special– Abstract– disputed or – does not have a common meaning

• For instance, individuals can interpret the definition of the words ‘freedom’ or ‘abuse’ quite differently.

Steps for Writing an Definition Essay

Step # 1: Choose a term that you want to define and introduce to your readers. This can be done in several

ways, but your main goal at the outset is to indicate clearly the contents of your paper.

Step # 2: Use several sources (dictionaries or encyclopedias) to see how the term you have chosen is usually defined. Then

think of a way to combine or merge them to give your own, unique definition.

Step # 3: Present the term you’ve chosen to your readers in the introductory part of your paper.

Step # 4: In the main body paragraphs, provide your readers with information about the term. Along with your own description, you can point out:• some cases in which this term is used, • as well as historical information about its origins • the evolution of its use in literature• you can highlight any common mistakes in its definition.

Steps for Writing an Definition Essay

Step # 5: Think of a couple of good

examples that will fully illustrate and

explain your definition.

Steps for Writing an Definition Essay

Topic Selection

• There are plenty of terms that we use every day. Many of

them are clear to almost everybody, but still there is a vast

body of abstract or scientific terms, that can become a topic

of discussion.

– While all of us know what a phone, TV or dog is, concepts such as

happiness, faith, love or calmness may be difficult for some

people to grasp.

Topic SelectionSome terms that could be chosen as a topic for your definition essay are listed below:

• God• Love• Hatred• Beauty• Morale• Good and evil• Happiness• Confidence• Intelligence

Key Points to Consider

• Remember, that giving a definition is not just copying what has been written in other dictionaries. – If you cannot define a brand new meaning for some

concept on your own, then use the definition that already exists, but give your own interpretation of it.

• Choose terms that you understand. Do not try to define a term that you don’t understand else you will confuse your readers with the wrong explanation.

• You can define something by explaining its:– functions– structure or – nature

• You can also define the term by:– specifying what it does not mean– by comparing it with other members of the same

class emphasizing the differences.

Key Points to Consider

Key Points to Consider

• Follow the structure of your essay. It would be

logical to:

– Present your term in the introduction

– give extended explanations in the main body

paragraphs, and

– end with brief conclusions

Dos

• Do narrow down the term if it has an

excessively wide meaning.

– For instance, you might need to write many pages

to define adequately the term ‘fear’, but if you

limit your topic to ‘panic fear’, it will be much

easier for you to craft your essay.

Dos

• Do look for good transitions to connect the

parts of your essay together.

• Do proofread your essay carefully to avoid

factual mistakes.

Dos

• Do try to think of a definition that would be

uniquely yours.

– Don’t be afraid to be creative in giving non-

standard explanations; that approach should be

encouraged.

Don'ts

• Don’t use definitions like:

– ‘X is when’ or ‘Y is where’.

• Try to make you definitions look more

scientific.

Don’ts

• Don’t try to write a paper on a too narrow

topic or a well-known obvious term.

– It will be extremely hard to write an extended

essay about a ‘tree’ or a ‘cat’.

Don’ts

• Do not write in a superfluously detailed manner.

However, don’t be too brief either. Consider the word

limit of your essay before you begin writing.

• Don’t repeat the defined term within the bounds of

the definition itself. No one will appreciate your prose

if you write something like ‘Swine flu is a flu that

people can catch from swines’.

• Trying to define a term that is too broad in scope for the essay.

• Forgetting to emphasize the term that one is defining. – In this case, it may be hard for the readers to

understand what your essay is ultimately about.

Common Mistakes

• Writing about things that are well-known and

which do not have conflicting interpretations.

There is no need to explain terms that

everyone is familiar with.

Common Mistakes

• Ignoring the necessity of examples. No matter how detailed and clear your definition is, without concrete examples, it may be hard for your readers to understand how or when a certain term should be used.

• Copying the existing definition word by word. Instead, reinterpret the meaning. Do not be afraid to expound your own thoughts on a new unique definition.

Common Mistakes

Example of Definition Essay

What is Democracy?

Introduction ParagraphTurn on your TV and switch to a news channel. Take a pencil and a sheet of

paper and prepare to take notes. Your aim is to count the use of one of the

most popular words in the modern world. This word is ‘democracy’. I bet that

you’ll hear it at least 5-6 times within an hour. The word ‘democratic’ has

almost become a synonym to such adjectives as ‘good’, ‘fair’ or ‘equal’.

Politicians of all countries use it to evaluate the domestic and foreign policies

of their neighbors, opponents and allies. Simultaneously, it is obvious that in

many cases this word is misunderstood, as well as used for various kinds of

manipulations.

So what is democracy? Why has it become the cornerstone of the modern

civilization?

1. Supporting Details

Democracy can be understood as a process of people governing

their state and managing community affairs all together, based on

consensus. Though democracy is often defined as a form of

government, to my mind it’s more reasonable to contemplate it as

a process, a constant opportunity by which citizens may bring

changes into their social and political life.

The origins of democracy lie in Ancient Greece. This very term was

constructed from two Greek words ‘demos’, which means ‘people’, and

‘cratos’, which means ‘power’. A long time ago Greek men used to gather

on the town square to make decisions about urgent political issues. Greek

democracy was direct – not only in the sense that citizens could vote for

decisions personally, but also in the sense that they could control the

political process and the authorities. It must be pointed out, that back then

not everyone could take part in voting – this privilege was only available to

male citizens. Slaves – and ancient Greece was a slavery state – and women

couldn’t affect the social and political life.

2. Supporting Details

Along with the population’s growth and the complication

of political processes, it had become almost impossible to

conduct direct democracy. This had led to a representative

democracy, the model, which is used all over the world

today. It may be constitutional, parliamentary, or

presidential – the main common feature is that people

affect political life through the representatives they’ve

chosen through elections.

3. Supporting Details

Modern democracy implies many privileges that ancient Greeks didn’t

know. For example, people now can vote regardless of their gender, skin

color, social status or financial position. Democracy is considered to be

the optimal way to run the state. However, many critics talk about

democratic tyranny and even the injustice of this form of government.

Imagine that on presidential elections 49% of electorate vote for one

candidate, and 51% vote for another. The second candidate wins the

elections, but what about those people, whose interests were subjected

to the will of the majority?

4. Supporting Details

Conclusion

Democracy is a complicated and versatile phenomenon

that can be studied from different approaches. However,

as Sir Winston Churchill had said once: “Democracy is the

worst form of government except for all those others that

have been tried”.

Summary

• How to Write a Definition Essay?• Steps for Writing an Definition Essay• Topic Selection for Definition Essay• Key Points to Consider• Dos and Don’ts• Common Mistakes• Example

References

• http://academichelp.net/academic-assignments/essay/write-definition-essay.html• http://academichelp.net/samples/es

says/definition/democracy.html