D E F I N I T I O N E S S A YM R . P O G R E B A , H E L E N A H I G H S C H O O L

W H A T I S T H E D E F I N I T I O N M O D E ?

T Y P E S O F D E F I N I T I O N

• Formal Definition: Explaining a term by explaining the class in which a thing belongs and identifying synonyms and antonyms.

• Stipulative Definition: A particular, specialized way that a term is being used.

• Extended Definition: An extended look at the meaning and significance of the term.

• Definition by Negation: Defining a term/concept by saying what it is not

F O U R B R O A D P U R P O S E S

• Inform: Define a complex or vague term

• Express Feelings or Relate Experiences:

• Entertain: Paint a satirical look at a subject.

• Persuade: Make an argument by defining what something is or is not.

• These are not exclusive categories, but tend to have a great deal of overlap.

T O P I C S F O R D E F I N I T I O N

S A M P L E T O P I C S

• Inform: What is an American? Patriotism? Freedom?

• Personal Experience: What does it mean to be a senior? A Montanan?

• Persuade: What is Poverty? What does being “disabled” mean?

• Entertain: What are the characteristics of a school principal?

T O P I C S

• Simple Terms: Charisma, Humility, Maturity, Honor, Sportsmanship, Ambition

• Political/Social Issues: Right to Privacy, Feminism, Genocide, Racial Profiling, White Privilege, Sexism

T H R E E C R I T I C A L Q U E S T I O N S

• Is the term interesting and/or important enough to justify an extended definition?

• Is the term subject to debate and/or misinterpretation?

• What does your audience already know about the term?

S T R U C T U R E O F D E F I N I T I O N E S S A Y

P U R E D E F I N I T I O N

• Body paragraphs each develop one (or multiple closely related) characteristics of a thing

• Each paragraph will address a specific component or characteristic of the thing being described.

P U R E D E F I N I T I O NE X A M P L E

• Thesis: While there are undoubtedly as many characteristics of heroism as there are heroes, three characteristics stand out when defining one: loyalty, courage, and compassion.

• BP1: Loyalty

• BP2: Courage

• BP3: Compassion

E X A M P L E O F D E F I N I T I O N / E V A L U AT I O N

• Body Paragraph 1: Define the term/concept, providing specific details

• Paragraphs 2-10: Evaluating the application of the definition

• Conclusion that makes an argument/informs

D E F I N I T I O N A N D E V A L U A T I O N E X A M P L E

• Paragraph 1: The characteristics of a hero: courage, loyalty, sacrifice.

• Paragraph 2: Example: Martin Luther King, Jr.

• Paragraph 3: Malcolm X

• Paragraph 4: (Potentially a person who was not a hero)

• Conclusion: Though King and Malcolm X had different approaches, both were heroes…

R E S P O N D T O A N O T H E R ’ S D E F I N I T I O N

• Another approach is to respond to a definition offered by another person.

• Prompt: The renowned inventor Thomas Edison said that “genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.” Do you agree with this definition?

S T R U C T U R E

• Thesis: While Edison is correct when he argues that perspiration is essential to success, he ignores that success is also dependent on opportunity and luck.

• Structure: Standard argumentative essay form

S T R A T E G I E S F O R D E F I N I T I O N

• Provide Background Information: Make sure to provide context for the reader, the background information that makes it interesting and clear.

• Enumerate Characteristics: Often, definition essays/paragraphs will focus on listing and detailing elements.

• Exclude/Differentiate: A more sophisticated approach involves excluding some elements and/or contrasting the defined term with something else.

D E F I N I T I O N A S T H E C U L M I N A T I O N O F T H E M O D E S

A P P L Y O T H E R M O D E S

A P P L Y O T H E R P A T T E R N S O F E X P O S I T I O N

• Exemplification: develop with examples

• Classification: classify into groups

• Compare and Contrast: reveal definition by means of contrast

• Argumentation: construct an argument that yours is the best definition

E X E M P L I F I C A T I O N

• Probably the least sophisticated, but simplest approach.

• To define an American, you might list three people who embody what it means to be one.

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N

• Sorting actions/people/characteristics using the principles of classification.

• For instance, defining extreme sports would entail classifying sports into various categories.

• George Carlin monologue on sports, which he said were defined by a) having a clock and b) a ball.

C O M P A R E A N D C O N T R A S T

• The essay could compare two terms with similar, but distinct meanings, to define one.

• For instance, an essay that contrasts patriotism with nationalism would define both.

A R G U M E N T A T I O NM O D E

• Boomer: Patriotism is not only defined by love of country and respect for its values, but must also include support for its military interventions.

• Caveat: Being a true Montanan involves a love of the outdoors and respect for our traditions, but we must always remember that being one of us is not defined by how long one has lived here.

R E S O U R C E S & H A N D O U T S

D E F I N I T I O N E S S A Y S T O M O D E L

• Letters from an American Farmer by Hector St. John de Crevecouer

• A Definition of Happiness by Nikos Kazantzakis

• A Definition of a Jerk by Sydney J. Harris

• On Being a Cripple by Nancy Mairs

• Definition of Prettiness by Gore Vidal

• The Meaning of Home by John Berger

• The Essence of Humanism by William James

A P P L I C A T I O N : S A T I R E

S A T I R E

• One of the most effective approaches for a definition essay is a satirical response.

• Essays defining love, friendship, effective Presidents, and more can be fruitful topics for exploration.

D E V I C E S O F S A T I R E

• hyperbole: exaggeration

• meiosis: understatement

• litotes: negation of an opposite (He’s not the worst student I’ve ever had in class.)

• inversion: to turn upside down, outside in, or inside out; to reverse, as in order to change around to the reverse order, sense, condition.

• Invective: violent abuse or accusation; harsh or bitter utterance. It uses wit mechanism to circumvent man’s prejudice against rage