This document provides instructions for writing a definition essay. It explains that a definition essay clarifies the meaning of a word, term, or concept for the reader. It recommends defining a topic through its denotations and connotations, popular and personal interpretations, or characteristics and functions. The essay should introduce the topic, provide a thesis with three aspects to define, and then use body paragraphs to define each aspect with a topic sentence, details, and closing remarks before concluding by wrapping up the main points.
What Is a Definition EssayDefinition e.docxalanfhall8953
What Is a Definition Essay?
*
Definition essay explainedThe definition essay explains the meaning of a word or a concept or a term. The purpose of the definition essay is to help the reader understand the meaning of an unfamiliar term or clarify the meaning of an abstract or vague term.
How to Write a Definition Essay
The following are common ways to define a word or a concept or a term:
1. Demonstrate the denotations and connotations of a word:Denotations are the formal dictionary definitions of a word.Connotations often imply emotional, informal, or slang cases of the word.
Example 1Rat— Denotative meaning: a rodent;Connotative meaning: a person who tattles on other people or who exhibits undesirable or dishonest behavior.Example 2Card— Denotative meaning: a sturdy, but small, piece of rectangular shaped paper used for business purposes or card games.Connotative meaning: a lively, entertaining person or the act of requiring proof of age before sales of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
2. Demonstrate the popular beliefs and personal interpretations of a concept:
Example 1Success— Popular belief: success means getting richPersonal interpretation: success means either overcoming obstacles or other unique interpretations.
Example 2Beauty— Popular belief: good lookingPersonal interpretation: self-sacrifice, loving, forgiving, or other unique interpretations.
3. Demonstrate the characteristics, the function, or the make-up of an object or a term:
Example 1Axe— An axe is a tool used for chopping trees and splitting wood; it is made up of a wooden handle and a metal head with a blade usually on one side.
Example 2Machismo— Machismo is the inflated male ego as characterized by domination of women, an exaggerated show of male strength, etc.
Introduction
1. Lead-in: Introduce the topic (the concept or term you are going to define).
2. Transition: Make transition to thesis statement.
3. Thesis Statement: Define at least three aspects of the meaning of the concept or term (e.g. “Country music can be best understood if we know its history, its pattern of rhythm, and its themes.”).
BodyParagraph 11. Topic Sentence: Present the first aspect of the meaning of the conceptor term (e.g. “The meaning of Country Music depends heavily on itshistory”).2. Supporting Details: Explain what/how/why.3. Closing Remarks: Wrap up this paragraph (e.g. “That is why one cannot understand Country Music without learning about its history”).
Body Paragraph 21. Topic Sentence: Present the second aspect of the meaning of the conceptor term.2. Supporting Details: Explain what/how/why.3. Closing Remarks: Wrap up this paragraph.
Body Paragraph 31. Topic Sentence: Present the third aspect of the meaning of the conceptor term.2. Supporting Details: Explain what/how/why.3. Closing Remarks: Wrap up this paragraph.Writing Made Easy
Conclusion
1. Wrap up the main points.
2. Point out the significance of the concept or term
Definition Essay
I. A d.
1 A Guide to the Literary-Analysis Essay INTRODU.docxmercysuttle
1
A Guide to the Literary-Analysis Essay
INTRODUCTION: the section in your essay. It begins creatively in order to catch your
reader’s interest, provides essential background about the literary work, and prepares the reader
for you major thesis. The introduction must include the author and title of the work as well
as an explanation of the theme to be discussed. Other essential background may include
setting, capsule plot summary, an introduction of main characters, and definition of terms.
The major thesis goes at the end. Because the major thesis sometimes sounds tacked on, use
a transition between the background information and the thesis of the essay.
CREATIVE OPENING: the beginning sentences of the introduction that catches the reader’s
interest. The types of introductions listed below are not the complete introductions. The
examples only represent a type of introduction. The introduction is more than you see here.
Ways of beginning creatively include the following:
1) A startling fact or bit of information
Ex. Nearly two citizens were arrested as witches during the Salem witch scare of 1692.
Eventually nineteen were hanged, and another was pressed to death (Marks 65).
2) A snatch of dialogue between two characters
Ex. “It is another thing. You [Frederic Henry] cannot know about it unless you have it.” “Well,”
I said. “If I ever get it I will tell you [priest].” (Hemingway 72). With these words, the priest in
Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms sends the hero, Frederic, in search of the ambiguous
“it” in his life.
3) A meaningful quotation (from the work or another source)
Ex. “To be, or not to be, that is the question” {3.1.57}. This familiar statement expresses the
young prince’s moral dilemma in William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet, Prince of Denmark.
4) A universal idea.
Ex. The terrifying scenes a soldier experiences on the front probably follow him throughout his
life—if he manages to survive the war.
5) A rich, vivid description of the setting
Ex. Sleepy Maycomb, like other Southern towns, suffers considerably during the Great
Depression. Poverty reaches from the privileged families, like the Finches, to the Negroes and
“white trash” Ewells, who live on the outskirts of town. Harper Lee paints a vivid picture of life
in this humid Alabama town where tempers and bigotry explode into conflict.
2
6) An analogy or metaphor
Ex. Life is like a box of chocolates: we never know what we’re going to get. This element of
uncertainty plays a major role in many dramas. For example, in Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and
Juliet have no idea what tragedies lie ahead when they fall so passionately and impetuously in
love.
7) MAJOR THESIS: a statement that provides the subject and overall opinion of your
essay. For a literary analysis your major thesis must (1) relate to the theme of the
work and (2) suggest how this theme is revealed by the author. A good thesis may ...
What is word?
Word is composed of one or more letters. A word represents an idea. ( ex: go , student, teacher…..etc. )
A word alone, however, is usually not enough to express thoughts.
What is Sentence?
A sentence is a collection of words the express a complete thought. ( ex: I study civil engineering at NPIC. )
Unit 8 - Information and Communication Technology (Paper I).pdfThiyagu K
This slides describes the basic concepts of ICT, basics of Email, Emerging Technology and Digital Initiatives in Education. This presentations aligns with the UGC Paper I syllabus.
What Is a Definition EssayDefinition e.docxalanfhall8953
What Is a Definition Essay?
*
Definition essay explainedThe definition essay explains the meaning of a word or a concept or a term. The purpose of the definition essay is to help the reader understand the meaning of an unfamiliar term or clarify the meaning of an abstract or vague term.
How to Write a Definition Essay
The following are common ways to define a word or a concept or a term:
1. Demonstrate the denotations and connotations of a word:Denotations are the formal dictionary definitions of a word.Connotations often imply emotional, informal, or slang cases of the word.
Example 1Rat— Denotative meaning: a rodent;Connotative meaning: a person who tattles on other people or who exhibits undesirable or dishonest behavior.Example 2Card— Denotative meaning: a sturdy, but small, piece of rectangular shaped paper used for business purposes or card games.Connotative meaning: a lively, entertaining person or the act of requiring proof of age before sales of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
2. Demonstrate the popular beliefs and personal interpretations of a concept:
Example 1Success— Popular belief: success means getting richPersonal interpretation: success means either overcoming obstacles or other unique interpretations.
Example 2Beauty— Popular belief: good lookingPersonal interpretation: self-sacrifice, loving, forgiving, or other unique interpretations.
3. Demonstrate the characteristics, the function, or the make-up of an object or a term:
Example 1Axe— An axe is a tool used for chopping trees and splitting wood; it is made up of a wooden handle and a metal head with a blade usually on one side.
Example 2Machismo— Machismo is the inflated male ego as characterized by domination of women, an exaggerated show of male strength, etc.
Introduction
1. Lead-in: Introduce the topic (the concept or term you are going to define).
2. Transition: Make transition to thesis statement.
3. Thesis Statement: Define at least three aspects of the meaning of the concept or term (e.g. “Country music can be best understood if we know its history, its pattern of rhythm, and its themes.”).
BodyParagraph 11. Topic Sentence: Present the first aspect of the meaning of the conceptor term (e.g. “The meaning of Country Music depends heavily on itshistory”).2. Supporting Details: Explain what/how/why.3. Closing Remarks: Wrap up this paragraph (e.g. “That is why one cannot understand Country Music without learning about its history”).
Body Paragraph 21. Topic Sentence: Present the second aspect of the meaning of the conceptor term.2. Supporting Details: Explain what/how/why.3. Closing Remarks: Wrap up this paragraph.
Body Paragraph 31. Topic Sentence: Present the third aspect of the meaning of the conceptor term.2. Supporting Details: Explain what/how/why.3. Closing Remarks: Wrap up this paragraph.Writing Made Easy
Conclusion
1. Wrap up the main points.
2. Point out the significance of the concept or term
Definition Essay
I. A d.
1 A Guide to the Literary-Analysis Essay INTRODU.docxmercysuttle
1
A Guide to the Literary-Analysis Essay
INTRODUCTION: the section in your essay. It begins creatively in order to catch your
reader’s interest, provides essential background about the literary work, and prepares the reader
for you major thesis. The introduction must include the author and title of the work as well
as an explanation of the theme to be discussed. Other essential background may include
setting, capsule plot summary, an introduction of main characters, and definition of terms.
The major thesis goes at the end. Because the major thesis sometimes sounds tacked on, use
a transition between the background information and the thesis of the essay.
CREATIVE OPENING: the beginning sentences of the introduction that catches the reader’s
interest. The types of introductions listed below are not the complete introductions. The
examples only represent a type of introduction. The introduction is more than you see here.
Ways of beginning creatively include the following:
1) A startling fact or bit of information
Ex. Nearly two citizens were arrested as witches during the Salem witch scare of 1692.
Eventually nineteen were hanged, and another was pressed to death (Marks 65).
2) A snatch of dialogue between two characters
Ex. “It is another thing. You [Frederic Henry] cannot know about it unless you have it.” “Well,”
I said. “If I ever get it I will tell you [priest].” (Hemingway 72). With these words, the priest in
Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms sends the hero, Frederic, in search of the ambiguous
“it” in his life.
3) A meaningful quotation (from the work or another source)
Ex. “To be, or not to be, that is the question” {3.1.57}. This familiar statement expresses the
young prince’s moral dilemma in William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet, Prince of Denmark.
4) A universal idea.
Ex. The terrifying scenes a soldier experiences on the front probably follow him throughout his
life—if he manages to survive the war.
5) A rich, vivid description of the setting
Ex. Sleepy Maycomb, like other Southern towns, suffers considerably during the Great
Depression. Poverty reaches from the privileged families, like the Finches, to the Negroes and
“white trash” Ewells, who live on the outskirts of town. Harper Lee paints a vivid picture of life
in this humid Alabama town where tempers and bigotry explode into conflict.
2
6) An analogy or metaphor
Ex. Life is like a box of chocolates: we never know what we’re going to get. This element of
uncertainty plays a major role in many dramas. For example, in Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and
Juliet have no idea what tragedies lie ahead when they fall so passionately and impetuously in
love.
7) MAJOR THESIS: a statement that provides the subject and overall opinion of your
essay. For a literary analysis your major thesis must (1) relate to the theme of the
work and (2) suggest how this theme is revealed by the author. A good thesis may ...
What is word?
Word is composed of one or more letters. A word represents an idea. ( ex: go , student, teacher…..etc. )
A word alone, however, is usually not enough to express thoughts.
What is Sentence?
A sentence is a collection of words the express a complete thought. ( ex: I study civil engineering at NPIC. )
Unit 8 - Information and Communication Technology (Paper I).pdfThiyagu K
This slides describes the basic concepts of ICT, basics of Email, Emerging Technology and Digital Initiatives in Education. This presentations aligns with the UGC Paper I syllabus.
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The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
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Personal development courses are widely available today, with each one promising life-changing outcomes. Tim Han’s Life Mastery Achievers (LMA) Course has drawn a lot of interest. In addition to offering my frank assessment of Success Insider’s LMA Course, this piece examines the course’s effects via a variety of Tim Han LMA course reviews and Success Insider comments.
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France. It marked the decline of absolute monarchies, the rise of secular and democratic republics, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. This revolutionary period is crucial in understanding the transition from feudalism to modernity in Europe.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
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June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
2. Definition essay explained
The definition essay explains the
meaning of a word or a concept or a
term. The purpose of the definition
essay is to help the reader understand
the meaning of an unfamiliar term or
clarify the meaning of an abstract or
vague term.
3. How to Write a Definition Essay
The following are common ways to define
a word or a concept or a term:
1. Demonstrate the denotations and
connotations of a word:
Denotations are the formal dictionary
definitions of a word.
Connotations often imply emotional,
informal, or slang cases of the word.
4. How to Write a Definition Essay
Example 1
Rat— Denotative meaning: a rodent;
Connotative meaning: a person who tattles on
other people or who exhibits undesirable or
dishonest behavior.
Example 2
Card— Denotative meaning: a sturdy, but
small, piece of rectangular shaped paper used
for business purposes or card games.
Connotative meaning: a lively, entertaining
person or the act of requiring proof of age
before sales of alcoholic beverages and tobacco
products.
5. 2. Demonstrate the popular beliefs
and personal interpretations of a concept:
Example 1
Success— Popular belief: success means
getting rich
Personal interpretation: success means either
overcoming obstacles or other unique
interpretations.
Example 2
Beauty— Popular belief: good looking
Personal interpretation: self-sacrifice, loving,
forgiving, or other unique interpretations.
6. 3. Demonstrate the characteristics, the function,
or the make-up of an object or a term:
Example 1
Axe— An axe is a tool used for chopping
trees and splitting wood; it is made up of a
wooden handle and a metal head with a
blade usually on one side.
Example 2
Machismo— Machismo is the inflated male
ego as characterized by domination of
women, an exaggerated show of male
strength, etc.
7. Introduction
1. Lead-in: Introduce the topic (the concept
or term you are going to define).
2. Transition: Make transition to thesis
statement.
3. Thesis Statement: Define at least three
aspects of the meaning of the concept or term
(e.g. “Country music can be best understood if
we know its history, its pattern of rhythm, and
its themes.”).
8. Body
Paragraph 1
1. Topic Sentence: Present the first aspect of
the meaning of the concept or term (e.g. “The
meaning of Country Music depends heavily on its
history”).
2. Supporting Details: Explain what/how/why.
3. Closing Remarks: Wrap up this paragraph
(e.g. “That is why one can not understand
Country Music without learning about its
history”).
9. Body
Body Paragraph 2
1. Topic Sentence: Present the second
aspect of the meaning of the concept or
term.
2. Supporting Details: Explain
what/how/why.
3. Closing Remarks: Wrap up this
paragraph.
10. Body
Body Paragraph 3
1. Topic Sentence: Present the third aspect
of the meaning of the concept or term.
2. Supporting Details: Explain
what/how/why.
3. Closing Remarks: Wrap up this
paragraph.
Writing Made Easy
11. Conclusion
1. Wrap up the main points.
2. Point out the significance of the
concept or term
