Instructor Dowling
Eng 101: Definition Claim
Don’t you wonder what the dictionary would be like if we got to continually redefine the
meanings of words according to our individual life experiences? Let’s find out what happens to
abstract or difficult concepts like love, lust, and sex.
Standard Claim form for definition is: X represents Y because it has features A, B, C.
Purpose: You have read contemporary sources that deal with, whether indirectly or directly, the
concept of SEX. You goal is to now write a definition claim that seeks to define SEX.
Works to consider:
Poems: “First Poem for You” Addonizio, “Lonely Hearts” Cope , “Sex Without Love” Olds,
“you fit into me” Atwood, “Embrace” Collins, “Simile” Momaday, “Sous-entendu” Stevenson,
“Most Like an Arch This Marriage” Ciardi, “The Silken Tent” Frost, “The Suitor” Kenyon
Short Stories: Atwood “Happy Endings”, “The Storm” Chopin, and “A Haunted House” Woolf
Assignment: You need to first start with your definition of what SEX is, contains, or embodies.
List at least three elements. Then insert SEX for Y and your chosen work that best embodies
your definition of SEX for X. Then, A, B, and C become your chosen elements. An example
thesis looks like this: “you fit into me” by Margaret Atwood best defines sex because it examines
elements of union, vulnerability, and frisson.
You must use three other works as refutation for your claim that one of the works best
encapsulates your definition of SEX. (This means that in addition to your chosen work, you have
to reference lines from three additional works you’ve read in this section which do not fit your
definition.)
Make sure it’s clear why your readers should care about the topic and give them enough
information to understand your position. At some point in your defining argument, explain to
your readers why you think it’s important to define SEX. What are the implications of your
claim?
Ask yourself, to whom does this argument? Who is your audience? Why should your claim
matter to them? How will this audience’s needs and assumptions shape your argument strategy?
You essay should be a minimum of 4 (or more) pages long, typed, double-spaced, and carefully
proofread. You should format your essay according to MLA guidelines and include an additional
Works Cited page after four full pages of text.
Thesis and Outline – Due:
Type up your Thesis and outline, and turn in one copy to me.
Rough Draft – Due
(Bring 3 copies!!!) Your rough draft must be at least three pages
long, with a clear thesis and must show evidence of developing supporting detailed paragraphs.
Final Draft Due— Due
(Turn in with all rough drafts!)
Instructor Evaluation / Essay #1 / Definition Claim
Writer ___________________________
Score_____________________
Your essay has been read and evaluated based on the criteria listed on this prompt.
* The essay contains a clear definition claim in the correct format.
-----Yes
-----Fairly
-----Somewhat
-----No
* The essay uses several quotes from each of the assigned works (at least 10 quotes for the paper).
-----Yes
-----Fairly
-----Somewhat
-----No
* Writer shows deep understanding of the assigned texts through analysis.
-----Yes
-----Fairly -----Somewhat -----No
* Audience is considered when exploring implications of definition.
-----Yes
-----Fairly
-----Somewhat
-----No
* Paper looks at explicit examples and gives implicit meaning based on those examples. (i.e. Uses the P.E.C.E.
method)
-----Yes
-----Fairly
-----Somewhat
-----No
* The organization is clear and effective. Topic sentences are used. Paragraph breaks are thoughtful.
-----Yes
-----Fairly
-----Somewhat
-----No
* Correct MLA formatting for citing sources is followed.
-----Yes
-----Fairly
-----Somewhat
-----No
* The essay is free of errors in grammar, syntax, usage, and punctuation.
-----Yes
-----Fairly
-----Somewhat
-----No
* The essay is presented according to the format guidelines stated in the syllabus.
-----Yes
-----Fairly
-----Somewhat
-----No