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?
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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.
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. )
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. )
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
