A lecture about Definition writing with prewriting and outlining exercises. For use with Sherman Alexie's essay "Superman and Me."

1. DEFINITION WRITING
Steps Chap 4

2. Definition
•Definition Writing—writing that tells what a specific term
means.
•Extended Definition—a definition that conveys the
author’s attitude toward the term and his or her
purpose for defining the term.

3. Formal Definitions
•Definitions follow a three part structure:
Term + Class + Differentiating Qualities
•Discrimination is a behavior that tries to deny certain rights
or privileges to an entire group of people because the group
differs in appearance, belief, or actions from the majority of
the community.

4. *Circle the term, Underline the Class, and Double
Underline the Differentiation.
1. Terrorism is a form of political violence intentionally aimed
at civilians for the purpose of creating fear in a whole
population.
2. A sonnet is a lyrical poem made up of fourteen lines and
usually built on a traditional rhyme scheme.
3. A browser is a software program used to look at various
resources on the Internet.
4. A primary is an election in which each party chooses a
candidate to run in the general election.

5. Important Features
•Thesis statement should formally define the term to be
discussed AND make clear the purpose of the definition.
•Do not use dictionary definitions!
•The definition reflects your opinion about what the
term means and encompasses, NOT Merriam-
Webster’s.

6. Important Features
•To support your definition, use examples to make your
term and meaning clear and relatable to readers.
• “An example of discrimination might occur in…”
•You may also use an example of what the definition is not.
•Use descriptions to show what your term may look like
(closely related to examples).

7. Definition Example
•Read the example definition. Identify the following
features of definition writing:
1. Thesis statement—extended definition
2. Topic sentences—one for each part of definition
3. Descriptions
4. Examples or non-examples
5. Conclusion

8. “Superman and Me”
Read Sherman Alexie’s essay “Superman and Me” in
Exploring Writing p 585-587. Write your answers to these
questions in your notes.
1. According to Alexie, how are Indians stereotyped?
2. How does Sherman Alexie subvert the stereotype?
How does he teach students to subvert the
stereotype?

9. Definition Prewriting
•Write a list or a cluster of stereotypes that you have been
labeled as; for example, arrogant, snobbish, brainy, nerdy,
ditzy, incompetent, timid, etc.
•Choose 2-3 of the stereotypes you’ve been labeled as and
either list, cluster, or freewrite about them: who labeled you
as this stereotype? What expectations are associated with
this stereotype? Do you fit this stereotype? Why or why not?
•Choose one stereotype that you might want to write an
essay about. We will discuss your choice and what to do with
it on Thursday.

10. Extended Definitions
•Now that you have thought about the stereotype you would
like to write about, write an extended definition of the
stereotype that will act as your thesis statement.
Term + Class + Differentiating Qualities
•A geek is a person who is too smart with computers, too
devoted to one fan-base, and too quirky for social
situations.