Writing Definitions

PS 20

Why use a definition?

to avoid misunderstanding with your audience. It should include: 1. The term (word or phrase) to be defined 2. The class of object or concept to which the term belongs. 3. The differentiating characteristics that distinguish it from all others of its class

Term, class and differentiating characteristic

A university is an institution where knowledge is "produced" and passed on to others.
Social Economics may be broadly defined as the branch of economics [which is] concerned with the measurement, causes and consequences of social problems.

Research may be defined as a systematic process which consists of three elements or components: (1) a question, problem, or hypothesis, (2) data, and (3) analysis and interpretation of data.

When to use definitions

When your writing contains a term that may be key to audience understanding and that term could likely be unfamiliar to them "Stellar Wobble is a measurable variation of speed wherein a star's velocity is shifted by the gravitational pull of a foreign body."

When: 2
When a commonly used word or phrase has layers of meaning and you must choose how to define it

"Throughout this essay, the term classic gaming will refer specifically to playing video games produced for the Atari, the original Nintendo Entertainment System, and any systems inbetween."

When: 3
When the origin and history of a common word might prove interesting or will help expand upon a point

"Pagan can be traced back to Roman military slang for an incompetent soldier. In this sense, Christians who consider themselves soldiers of Christ are using the term not only to suggest a person's secular status but also their lack of bravery.'

Extended definitions
For essay length responses, we will need to write extended definitions NARRATIVE Topic--Define a modern day hero.

Strategy--Tell the story of a contemporary hero with attention to what he did that was heroic.

Extended definitions 2
EXEMPLIFICATION Topic--What characteristics should an effective politician possess? Strategy--Select concrete examples of effective politicians.

Extended 3
DESCRIPTION Topic--What is the common head cold? Strategy--Discuss this illness as a viral infection, its symptoms, and , possibly, its effective treatment.

Extended 4
PROCESS Topic--Define the writing process. Strategy--Identify each stage in the process with an explanation of how it contributes to the whole product.

Extended 5
CLASSIFICATION AND DIVISION Topic--Discuss the phenomenon of pop culture. Strategy--Identify sub-classes, such as music, fashion, and video games, with descriptions of members, with discussion of evolution, or with interrelations among the sub-classes