DEFINITION ESSAY By: Dr. Mary Custureri

What do definitions do? Definitions answer questions: What are we talking about? They give terms that are clear for specific audiences All audiences are not alike. Some need more specific, more easily understood definitions because they have not been trained. Poor definitions can cause problems because of misinterpretation

Levels of Detail in Definitions Technical level (Doctor, scientist) –Ex: A tumor is an neoplasm Tech. level (nurse, technician) –A tumor is a growth of cells that occurs independently of surrounding tissue and serves no useful function. Lay person: –A tumor is a growth that has no useful function and that may be benign or become cancerous.

DEFINITIONS FOR DIFFERENT AUDIENCE LEVELS High tech Use jargon, acronym or abbreviation alone The wastewater is being treated for DBPs Low-tech Use jargon, acronym, or abbreviation with a parenthetical definition The wastewater is being treated for DBPs (disinfectant by products). Lay person (not experienced with the specific technology) Use jargon, acronym, or abbreviation with a parenthetical definition and a brief explanation or extended definition. The wastewater is being treated for DBPs (disinfectant by-products ) such as acid, methane, chlorine, and ammonia.

What is a definition essay? It is an extended explanation of an abstract idea, a complicated idea or a controversial word or phrase Example: love quality beauty

What question does the definition essay answer? What is it? What does it encompass? What does it include?

Why should a writer know how to write a definition essay? I: Often people debate about issues and misunderstand each other because of unique definitions. This lack of understanding leads to problems. EXAMPLES: life death morality cheating marriage equality success failure beauty ugliness pornography art addiction minority(ethnic or otherwise monopoly (in business) defense power weakness

Cont. Why write a definition? II.People who are not experts in a field may misunderstand the author’s meaning. Medical terms Technical terms Specific terms in a proposal for a project Explanations of problems

Purpose of a definition essay Specify the meaning of a term or concept Specify distinctive characteristics, and boundaries of that term so that the reader cannot make a mistake

Formal definition has specific parts Word: A watch Class: is a mechanical device Characteristics: that is used for telling time and is usually carried or worn

Example 2 Word: Semantics Class: is an area of linguistics Classification: that is concerned with the study of the meaning of words.

Ways in which to help readers understand The writer offers examples and sets up contrasts by showing what it is not. The writer offers analogies or examples of what it is The writer offers a graphic picture with explanations The writer redefines the word by explaining it in easy-to-understand language The writer can write an informal essay or even satire to entertain and inform