FRESHMAN COMPOSITION, RHETORIC, GRAMMAR II

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INTRO. TO LITERARY RESEARCH & WRITING

INSTRUCTOR: James Maxfield

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Ex. 16
 

bullet Example: Short Definitions
Example: Long Definition
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English 1010

James Maxfield, Instructor

Exercise # 16

Writing a Definition (see Ch. 9 in Strategy book)

We Define something to give it meaning. Often used as a supporting rhetorical mode in essays and papers, key terms and difficult concepts are defined to provide a common frame of reference between the author and reader. Terms that are subject to various opinions as to their meaning or when meanings may become changed or altered over time must always be defined for the reader within the context of your essay. This is especially important if the author intends to persuade the reader to think of or use the term a certain way.

After providing a general or common definition, the author may provide more specific examples, descriptions, instances, or comparisons to clarify and refine the definition. It is also usually effective to tell the reader what the definition is not or what is excluded from the defined class or term.

The more difficult or abstract the term to be defined, the more description and supporting examples are required to make the definition understandable to the reader. It is especially important to make the examples concrete if the term is abstract, like: What is eternity? What is love? or How should we define beauty? More typically we would attempt to define things like: What is Rock-n-Roll music? What constitutes a good book? How do we define a good friend?

We can also define more mundane terms in an expanded way, like: a good car, the best pizza, the best restaurant, or the best job. We can also define things in the negative—as the worst of anything: the ugliest car, the worst job, the worst date (from hell), or the rudest person. Anything that has ever been defined (object, concept, or idea) is open for reinterpretation and an expanded definition. Concrete terms or objects (tools, buildings, cars, household items) can be identified and defined by physical characteristics as well as their various uses or limitations.

Writing an Expanded Definition must include:
bulletpresenting the word or term in its normal context
bulletdifferentiating the word or term from other terms in the same topic or classification
bulletmaking reference to the origins of the word and conventional uses or definitions
bulletmaking reference to connotations and denotations of the term
bulletproviding limited or extended uses or opposite (negative) uses of the term (what it is not)

Assignment: Using only a general dictionary (as a starting point) and your basic knowledge of a particular term, idea, or object, develop an extended definition of the term within a specific context or use. Be sure to use description, comparisons, and examples to support your definition. Use of emphatic organization (arranging your best or strongest examples last) is often also helpful. Maximum one page double-spaced. Due one week after officially given in class.

 

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