Lecture 9
Definition Essay
Recap
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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
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 . . .
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the meaning of an abstract concept, like love;
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the true meaning and importance of honesty;
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how the meaning of family goes deeper than just your
blood relatives.
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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:
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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:
Step # 2:
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.
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.
Steps for Writing an Definition Essay
Step # 3:
Step # 4:
Present the term you’ve chosen to your
readers in the introductory part of your
paper.
In the main body paragraphs, provide
your readers with information about
the term. Along with your own
description, you can point out:
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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.
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 Selection
Some terms that could be chosen as a topic
for your definition essay are listed below:
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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.
Key Points to Consider
• 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
• 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 nonstandard 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’.
Common Mistakes
• 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.
Example of Definition Essay
What is Democracy?
Introduction Paragraph
Turn 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.
2. Supporting Details
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.
3. 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.
4. 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?
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
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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/academicassignments/essay/write-definitionessay.html
• http://academichelp.net/samples/es
says/definition/democracy.html