Definition Paragraph

ESL Writing Anitra Lahiri

What is a definition paragraph?

More than a simple definitionIt’s a DETAILED explanation of an ideaIt includes examples and comparisons

Example Topics

love hate health fear hope wisdom success happiness war humor beauty joy friendship family courage shame relaxation violence intelligencestupidity war 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

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.

Fill in the comparisons.

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 fearas the mainland of the United States was being attacked for the first time. It was horrific to witnessthe 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.

YOU MUST CITE YOUR SOURCE and USE QUOTATION MARKS!

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.”

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)