UNIT 3: DEFINITION
Hammonds-French
English 1301
What is DEFINITION?
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Lewis Carroll’s Humpty Dumpty says, “When I use a
word…it means just what I choose it to mean –
neither more nor less.” Nice idea, in theory, but for
language to communicate, we must have accepted
definitions. Our unit will explore the following:
Definition as a mode of writing
 Types of Definition
 How Definition fits your purpose and audience
 Strategies
 Sample essay with analysis

DEFINITION as a mode of writing
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Words and phrases have denotation (dictionary
definition) and connotation.
Words and phrases may also be defined by
personal experience, attitude, and values that
influence the use or non-use of the language.
Words and phrases may also be defined by the
historical time period or the observation of them so
that differences occur (pedagogue; hussy; pimp)
As a result, understanding and definition is
important.
DEFINITION as a mode of writing…

The writer tries to answer basic questions:
 What
does _____ mean?
 What is the special or true nature of ___?
 The
writer has at his disposal and will use various
strategies for expanding and perfecting definitions.
TYPES of DEFINITION

INFORMAL/FANCIFUL :
 This
type of definition is usually creative; it will vary
based on the individual writer.
 The definition may be totally fictionalized or
uninformed, but it will make sense to the writer and to
the audience.
 The definition may be humorous or satirical in nature.
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FORMAL:
 This
type of definition is the actual definition and
application of the word/term/phrase.
 The definition is expanded and explained through
actual denotation and exemplification to reach the
audience.
 The definition is usually informative in nature, but it will
have a goal as determined by its thesis.
How DEFINITION fits your audience
and purpose
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EXTENDED DEFINITION is the goal.
EXTENDED DEFINITION allows you to apply a
personal interpretation to a word, to propose a
revisionist view of a commonly accepted meaning,
to analyze words representing complex or
controversial issues.
STRATEGIES
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1. Stay focused on the essay’s purpose, audience, and tone.
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2. Formulate an effective definition.
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In formal definition, decide the term, class, and characteristics to include.
In fanciful/informal, decide the goal (humor, satire, entertainment…)
3. Develop the extended definition.
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Informal and fanciful definition has the goal to inspire laughter or groans.
Formal definition has the goal to inspire understanding.
Determine what format/pattern to use; for example, narrative, descriptive,
comparison-contrast, negation…
4. Organize the material that develops the definition.
5. Write an effective introduction that allows for further
development and explanation of the definition.
Sample Essays for discussion/analysis

“Absolute Zero” – reading aloud
 Fanciful
or Formal?
 Believable or Ridiculous?
 Effect?

“Entropy” pp. 443-445 (6th ed.) OR 436-438 (7th
ed.)
 Fanciful
or Formal?
 Believable or Ridiculous?
 Effect?
Essay Structure for “Entropy”
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Paragraphs 1-3 = Introductory examples, Thesis,
Formal definition
 Examples
 Thesis:
of entropy from everyday life
Disorder is the natural order of the universe.
 Formal definition: Entropy is a measure of the amount of
disorder in the universe.
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Paragraph 4-12 = Extended definition of entropy through
comparison-contrast
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Extended def: Entropy is loss of purpose, haphazard chaos in people’s
lives.
Comparison: As in nature, entropy in everyday life is irreversible.
(examples)
Comparison: Entropy results in wasted energy and opportunities in life.
(examples)
Comparison: Entropy affects human relationships. (examples)
Contrast: Entropy is not always inevitable. Creation of life is the most
profound exception to entropy. (examples)
Contrast: Creation takes harder work than entropy; there are more
paths to disorder than to order. (examples)

Paragraphs 13-15 develop extended definition
through cause-effect
 Entropy
is depressing.
 Entropy creates distressing disorder in life.
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Paragraphs 16-17 conclude the definition essay
 Restatement
of thesis and author’s pessimistic feelings
about entropy.
 Final
comments/questions about definition as a mode of
writing?
 See
assignment page on your unit outline