Advanced Writing—Extended Definition Essay
Extended Definition Essay
What is an “Extended Definition”?
We all tend to think that the answer for what a word means can be found in any dictionary, but it’s really
not quite that simple, because words also carry personal meanings and connotations for different people.
Explaining and giving examples of these personal meanings can make a very interesting essay. Moreover,
basing your extended definitions in the words of Christ and his prophets will bring insight and power to
your writing.
Remember that the goal of every piece of writing is to give a new view of your topic. You don’t want to
tell your readers what they already know. So, your goal in an extended definition essay is to give an
insightful definition of the meaning of a word, not just the expected meaning. Your unique personal view
is what makes this word worth writing about. You are giving your reader a new way of thinking about the
meaning of this word.
You’ve probably seen these kinds of personal definition essays used for essay contests with topics such as
“What freedom means to me.” Note that a hundred different people might come up with a hundred
different ways of defining freedom. The dictionary definition is not as important as what it means to you.
What could I write about? What word might be interesting to define in my own way? What follows are
just a few possibilities:
What makes for effective praise?
What is the “brightness of the perfect day”?
What is a temple?
What is a “provident provider”? (Elder Hales,
What is prayer?
April 2009)
What is a dedication?
What is a testimony? (Elder Oaks, Elder Alan
What is “living water”?
Packer 2009)
What is missionary work?
What is conversion?
What is a friend?
What is hope? (Pres. Uchtdorf)
What is kindness?
What is despair?
What is a smile?
What is relativism?
What is truth?
What is fear?
What is a simplified life?
What is faith?
What is truth?
What is a family?
What is a Christian?
What is creativity?
What is peace?
What does it mean to be educated?
What is sin?
What is wisdom?
What is beauty?
What is honesty?
What is does it mean “to know enough”?
What is a hero?
What is happiness?
What is evil?
What does it mean to “cease to find fault one with
What is gratitude?
another”?
What is the “mind of Christ”?
What is a “high priest of good things to come”?
What is charity?
What does it mean to be_____?
What makes a ___ a ______?
What makes a great______?
© 2013 Latter-day Learning
Advanced Writing—Extended Definition Essay
1. Remember that this is an “extended” definition. It will take several paragraphs to explain, not just a
sentence or two.
2. You can divide your definition into two three, four, or more criteria or qualities. Then develop a
paragraph for each of these criteria. For example, if my topic is defining “What makes a good
friend?” then I would subdivide this topic into three or four different criteria for being a good friend:
a good friend is loyal, a good friend overlooks faults, and a good friend does not set conditions on
friendship. Then in each paragraph I would explain each of these concepts and give a very specific
example (or examples).
3. Another interesting approach is to define the word by telling what it is not, then by telling what it is
or should be. So using the same topic “What is friend?” I could start by saying that in order to
understand what a friend is, it is important to know what a friend isn’t. Then explain and give
examples of things that “so-called friends” sometimes do that are poor examples of friendship. Then,
proceed to explain and give examples of what makes true friends different. What is a friend really?
Sample Extended Definitions
Please review the following LDS General Conference talks for examples of extended definitions:

Read The Infinite Power of Hope, by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, looking for an extended
definition of “hope.”

Read Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet, by President Ezra Taft Benson.
Look for an extended definition of what a prophet is.

Read The Pathway of Discipleship, by Elder Neal A. Maxwell. Look for an extended
definition of the “Pathway of Discipleship.”

Read Mothers Who Know, by Julie B. Beck, Relief Society General President. Look for her
definition of a wise mother.
© 2013 Latter-day Learning
Advanced Writing—Extended Definition Essay
Scoring Guide
Your paper will be evaluated on each of the “Traits of Effective Writing” using a 5-point scale:
Goes beyond expectations. An exemplary performance.
6
A good performance. Any weaknesses are minor.
5
An adequate performance. Has some serious weaknesses, but not enough to be below the
4
basic standard.
Below standard performance. Problems are severe enough that the paper is not
3
acceptable as is. Needs revision.
You have misunderstood or ignored the basic requirements. No credit without revision.
2
Minimal or no attempt at completing the assgnment as directed. No credit without
1
rewrite.
The assignment is worth 100 points, and your score on the paper will be the percentage of the above
points you earn.
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1. Ideas and
Information
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2. Organization
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3. Voice
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© 2013 Latter-day Learning
Effective writing has interesting, specific information
(content).
It has a clear and effective purpose.
Ideas are well developed with specific, concrete details or
examples.
There is a central thesis or theme (either stated or clearly
implied).
It has an interesting and appropriate title.
The readers’ attention is held throughout, and the reader
feels rewarded with new ideas, information, or insights.
The writing does not just scratch the surface of a topic, but
has depth and completeness.
Self Grade
_____
Regardless of what form or genre the writing takes, good
writing always has a purposeful organizational pattern.
The various parts of the paper have logical divisions and
sequence.
Main ideas are supported with specific, well-organized
examples, explanations, definitions, and details.
If the writing is prose, it is organized in well-developed
paragraphs.
If it is poetry, there is evidence of good decision making in
word, line, and stanza arrangement.
There is a sense of order, direction, and unity in the piece.
Transitions between sentences and paragraphs are smooth.
Self Grade
_____
In the good writing, you can hear the writer’s own special
way of expressing ideas.
The voice gives the writing personality and shows that the
writer sincerely cares about the topic and audience.
Therefore, the voice must be appropriate to the intended
audience or purpose. An academic essay in your history or
science class, for example, would not have the same voice as
a personal essay, poem, or short story.
Self Grade
_____
Other
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Other
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Other
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Advanced Writing—Extended Definition Essay
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4. Word Choice
5. Smooth,
Well-crafted
Sentences
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6. Conventions
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7. Presentation
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TOTAL
POINTS
EARNED:
© 2013 Latter-day Learning
Simply put, good writing contains good words which are
appropriate to the purpose.
Nouns and verbs are specific.
Modifiers often appeal to the senses.
Words are selected to fit meaning, not just to impress.
Vague words and overused expressions are avoided.
Many phrases seem fresh and original.
The reader gets the impression that nobody has said it
exactly like this before.
Self Grade
_____
Each sentence is well-constructed.
The writing flows smoothly and clearly from one sentence to
the next.
Sentences vary in length and don’t all begin in the same way.
The sentences should not seem choppy and disconnected,
nor should they ramble (or run on) without a sense of
direction, order, or closure.
When sentences are well formed, they are punctuated
correctly, and there is a sense of fluency which matches the
natural rhythm of language and makes it easy to follow and
enjoyable to read.
Self Grade
_____
Good writing is carefully edited for clarity, brevity, usage,
and mechanics.
Clarity means that the meaning is clear.
Brevity means that it is not wordy or repetitive.
Mechanics means appropriate punctuation, spelling, and
capitalization.
Usage refers to acceptable language, word choice, and
grammar.
Self Grade
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The final manuscript satisfies all length requirements
(minimum of 300 words) and manuscript requirements
(typed on word processor, scoring guide attached, etc.) as
specified.
Font, margins, and spacing make the paper neat and
readable. Any graphics used (optional) aid the reader.
Self Grade
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Other
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Other
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Other
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Other
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