This document discusses the challenges of defining and explaining the term "formal essay". It notes that properly defining formal essays requires a nuanced understanding of their key characteristics, structures, language conventions, and purpose. Explaining the definition poses difficulties in balancing comprehensiveness with avoiding repetition and in carefully selecting words and examples. The essay also addresses additional layers of complexity, such as exploring the history of formal essays, incorporating relevant examples, and addressing counterarguments while maintaining coherence. In conclusion, explicating the definition of a formal essay is an intellectually challenging task requiring analytical, linguistic, and subject-matter expertise.