times new roman. 12pt font, no separate title page needed. instructions: THE DE

times new roman. 12pt font, no separate title page needed.
instructions:
THE DEFINITION ESSAY
Semanticists, those who study the nature of language, have noted that meaning lies in people, not in words. Because words are symbols—and therefore open to multiple interpretations—dictionaries can only be starting points, never ultimate authorities. The complex nature of language makes the formulations of definitions an important part oof writing. Extended definitions are one way we can sort out for ourselves the confusing nature of a word or a term. We see the importance of definitions every day. The courts define “right to privacy”; the campus handbook explains what “plagiarism” is; international negotiators try to forge an agreement on the meaning of “arms parity.” Because definition essays can be developed in so many ways, they make demands quite different from al other essay assignments; they are a challenge worth mastering. The definition essay is appropriate when the idea under consideration is so controversial or so heavy with historical connotations that even a paragraph or two cannot make it clear exactly what the arguer wants his or her readers to understand.
The following list suggests several important steps t o be taken in writing an essay of definition.
1. Choose a term that needs definition because it is controversial or ambiguous, or because you want to offer a personal definition that differs from the accepted interpretation.
2. Decide on the thesis—the point of view you wish to develop about the point you are defining. Give clear focus to your discussion of the term by making your definition the thesis that the rest of the paper will support. By modelling your definition on the familiar thesis and support paper, you can provide a clear and direct answer to the question that may be uppermost in the readers mind: “What is the clue? What is the secret?” If you want to define “heroism,” for example, you may choose to develop the idea that this quality depends on motivation and awareness of danger rather than the specific acts performed by the hero.
3. Begin by consulting the dictionary for the conventional definition, the one with which your readers will be most familiar. Make clear whether you want to elaborate on the dictionary definition or take issue with it because it is too narrow, misleading or inadequate. Incorporate the dictionary definition only if needed. Be sure to avoid the old-hat “The dictionary says,” or “according to Webster approach—such weak starts are just plain boring and often herald an unimaginative essay.
4. Explore/explain a word’s range and characteristic ambiguities by tracing its development and/or etymology (linguistic origin). College dictionaries provide at least some historical information; The Oxford English Dictionary traces the history of words in great detail, with many authentic quotations. Different dictionaries of quotations and aphorisms are also good sources to generate ideas. You can also draw on your own reading and examples from popular culture (movies etc.).
5. Formulate your own short effective definition. Such definitions are worded as at least three-part statements that consist of the following: the term, the class/category to which the term belongs, and the characteristics that distinguish the term from other members of its class, e.g. “The peregrine falcon (term), and endangered bird of prey (class) is the world’s fastest flyer (characteristic).
6. Distinguish whenever possible between the term you are defining and other terms with which it may be confused. Clarify what the subject is not. Such definitions by negation can be an effective strategy at the beginning of the paper, especially if readers do not share your view of the subject. You may also include a stipulative definition, one that puts special restrictions on the term. When a term has multiple meanings, or when the meaning has become fuzzy through misuse, a stipulative definition sets the record straight right at the start, so that the writer and audience know exactly what is, and what is not being defined.
7. Develop your extended definition. Use the patterns of development to explore the topic.
Narration: What stories or events does this topic remind you of?
Description: What are its characteristic features? What does it look like? What does it evoke?
Example/Illustration: What examples of this topic are particularly helpful in explaining it?
Process: How does it work? How does it unfold? How do you do it?
Comparison/Contrast: What things is it like or not like? What does it remind you of?
Division/Classification: Of what larger group of things is this topic a member? What parts does it consist of? How can it be subdivided? How can it be categorized?
Cause/Effect: What causes it? What is its function? What is its impact? Why do we have it?
Argument/Persuasion: What issues surround this topic? Are there any problems, pros or cons to it?
The patterns of development to use will become apparent during the prewriting stage. These yielding the most material (the most fruitful modes of inquiry) often suggest effective patterns for developing an extended definition.
8. Organize the material that supports the definition. You may discover that only two methods, e.g., process and examples will suffice to narrow and refine your definition. In an essay using several modes of development, you should devote separate paragraphs/sections to each pattern, applying the principles of organization suited to that method. Arrange them in an order that gives emphasis to the most important ideas.
9. Decide on the essay’s purpose, tone and audience. Remember that your writing will project an attitude you have toward your topic. Extended definition allows you to apply a personal interpretation to a word, to make a revisionist view of a commonly accepted meaning, to analyze words representing complex and controversial issues, to help the reader develop a new understanding of the word.
10. Following is a list of possible topics. Each is multifaceted, often misunderstood, and fraught with emotional meaning. But, as always, feel free to come up with your own.
morality
patriotism
religion
stupidity
genius
integrity
serendipity
character
virtue
courage
heroism
success
vulgarity
elegance
hypocrisy
God
Heaven and Hell
American Dream
family values
marriage
beauty
nostalgia
freedom
loyalty
sin
art
charisma
cool
resentment
happiness
moral insanity
good and evil
bigotry
serenity.
You may also explain the meaning of a new or weird and wonderful word that your readers do not know. It would also be fun to invent a word for phenomenon you have noticed happening that has not yet been named. Another idea is to explain a term used in another culture/subculture with which the readers might not be familiar.
Have fun!

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instructions:
THE DE appeared first on Solved Students Assignments.