Definition Paragraph
ESL Writing
Anitra Lahiri
What is a definition paragraph?
 More than a simple definition
 It’s a DETAILED explanation of an idea
 It includes examples and comparisons
Example Topics
love
fear
success
humor
friendship
courage
relaxation
stupidity
hate
hope
happiness
beauty
family
shame
violence
war
health
wisdom
war
joy
intelligence
freedom
Draw a picture that represents your
topic.
War
Make a list of 5-7 things your topic is not.
War
 Something loving
 Something pleasant
 Something fun
 Something humans want
 Something that gives relaxation and peace
Fill in the comparisons.
War is like a tree being cut down by a
saw.
War is pain and suffering.
War is (like) something painful that is
also sometimes productive.
Tell an anecdote (little story) that will help
others understand your definition of the
topic. Here is mine.
On September 11, 2001, millions of people around
The world watched in absolute shock and fear
as the mainland of the United States was being
attacked for the first time. It was horrific to witness
the hideous violence, treacherous dying men
and women, and destruction of New York City. This,
9-1-1, was the beginning of a war that would last
Far longer than anyone could have imagined.
Give an example that explains your topic.
Here are two examples for war.
- The Civil War
- The “War on Terrorism”
Give another, less direct example to explain the topic.
Read mine:
War is both the violent fighting between two groups,
such as two nations or two regions (as in the Civil
war), and it is also a more subtle attack on
something, such as the “war on drugs” or the “war on
terrorism.”
Do some people misunderstand the topic? If so,
explain why or how. Read mine.
People think that war is primarily the use of guns,
bombs, and weapons between two countries. This is not
always the case, however, as war can also be less violent
and more subtle. In “the war on drugs,” no weapons
have been used directly, but it has become an attitude of
not tolerating illegal drugs.
Write the dictionary definition of the topic. Go to
dictionary.com to find the definition . and a few synonyms.
Example: According to dictionary.com, war is
“a state of armed conflict between different nations
or states or different groups in a nation or state.”
YOU MUST CITE YOUR SOURCE and
USE QUOTATION MARKS!
Write a paragraph based on all of this.
- Include the dictionary definition, with quotes
- Include what the term is NOT
- Include examples
- Include misunderstanding and correction
- Include an anecdote
- Write clear sentences
- Include your picture.
- :D
Here’s mine: “WAR”
Proofread and correct mistakes.
FORMAT:
-> typed, double spaced, 12 pt font
-> at least eight sentences
-> name, course, and date in upper right corner
-> centered title
-> shared with me via google doc DOC TITLE MUST BE
“YourNameDefinitionParagraph”
(ex: AnitraLahiriDefinitionParagraph)