1. Lecture 9
Definition Essay

2. Recap How to Write a Descriptive Essay?
Steps for Writing an Descriptive Essay
Topic Selection for Descriptive Essay
Key Points to Consider
Dos and Don’ts
Common Mistakes
Example

3. Definition Essay
A definition essay attempts to define a specific term. It could try to pin down the meaning of a specific word, or define an abstract concept.
Examples: A definition essay may try and define . . .
* the meaning of an abstract concept, like love;
* the true meaning and importance of honesty;
* how the meaning of family goes deeper than just your blood relatives.

4. How to Write a Definition Essay?
In a definition essay, you explain the meaning of a certain term by giving a detailed description of it.
You support your definition with clear examples or facts.
Such explanations are needed if a term is:
special
Abstract
disputed or
does not have a common meaning
For instance, individuals can interpret the definition of the words ‘freedom’ or ‘abuse’ quite differently.

5. Steps for Writing an Definition Essay
Step # 1: Choose a term that you want to define and introduce to your readers. This can be done in several ways, but your main goal at the outset is to indicate clearly the contents of your paper. Step # 2: Use several sources (dictionaries or encyclopedias) to see how the term you have chosen is usually defined. Then think of a way to combine or merge them to give your own, unique definition.

6. Steps for Writing an Definition Essay
Step # 3: Present the term you’ve chosen to your readers in the introductory part of your paper.
Step # 4: In the main body paragraphs, provide your readers with information about the term. Along with your own description, you can point out:
some cases in which this term is used,
as well as historical information about its origins
the evolution of its use in literature
you can highlight any common mistakes in its definition.

7. Steps for Writing an Definition Essay
Step # 5: Think of a couple of good examples that will fully illustrate and explain your definition.

8. Topic Selection
There are plenty of terms that we use every day. Many of them are clear to almost everybody, but still there is a vast body of abstract or scientific terms, that can become a topic of discussion.
While all of us know what a phone, TV or dog is, concepts such as happiness, faith, love or calmness may be difficult for some people to grasp.

9. Topic Selection
Some terms that could be chosen as a topic for your definition essay are listed below:
God
Love
Hatred
Beauty
Morale
Good and evil
Happiness
Confidence
Intelligence

10. Key Points to Consider
Remember, that giving a definition is not just copying what has been written in other dictionaries.
If you cannot define a brand new meaning for some concept on your own, then use the definition that already exists, but give your own interpretation of it.
Choose terms that you understand. Do not try to define a term that you don’t understand else you will confuse your readers with the wrong explanation.

11. Key Points to Consider You can define something by explaining its:
functions
structure or
nature
You can also define the term by:
specifying what it does not mean
by comparing it with other members of the same class emphasizing the differences.

12. Key Points to Consider
Follow the structure of your essay. It would be logical to:
Present your term in the introduction
give extended explanations in the main body paragraphs, and
end with brief conclusions

13. Dos Do narrow down the term if it has an excessively wide meaning.
For instance, you might need to write many pages to define adequately the term ‘fear’, but if you limit your topic to ‘panic fear’, it will be much easier for you to craft your essay.

14. Dos
Do look for good transitions to connect the parts of your essay together.
Do proofread your essay carefully to avoid factual mistakes.

15. Dos Do try to think of a definition that would be uniquely yours.
Don’t be afraid to be creative in giving non-standard explanations; that approach should be encouraged.

16. Don'ts Don’t use definitions like:
‘X is when’ or ‘Y is where’.
Try to make you definitions look more scientific.

17. Don’ts
Don’t try to write a paper on a too narrow topic or a well-known obvious term.
It will be extremely hard to write an extended essay about a ‘tree’ or a ‘cat’.

18. Don’ts
Do not write in a superfluously detailed manner. However, don’t be too brief either. Consider the word limit of your essay before you begin writing.
Don’t repeat the defined term within the bounds of the definition itself. No one will appreciate your prose if you write something like ‘Swine flu is a flu that people can catch from swines’.

19. Common Mistakes
Trying to define a term that is too broad in scope for the essay.
Forgetting to emphasize the term that one is defining.
In this case, it may be hard for the readers to understand what your essay is ultimately about.

20. Common Mistakes
Writing about things that are well-known and which do not have conflicting interpretations. There is no need to explain terms that everyone is familiar with.

21. Common Mistakes
Ignoring the necessity of examples. No matter how detailed and clear your definition is, without concrete examples, it may be hard for your readers to understand how or when a certain term should be used.
Copying the existing definition word by word. Instead, reinterpret the meaning. Do not be afraid to expound your own thoughts on a new unique definition.

22. Example of Definition Essay
What is Democracy?

23. Introduction Paragraph
Turn on your TV and switch to a news channel. Take a pencil and a sheet of paper and prepare to take notes. Your aim is to count the use of one of the most popular words in the modern world. This word is ‘democracy’. I bet that you’ll hear it at least 5-6 times within an hour. The word ‘democratic’ has almost become a synonym to such adjectives as ‘good’, ‘fair’ or ‘equal’. Politicians of all countries use it to evaluate the domestic and foreign policies of their neighbors, opponents and allies. Simultaneously, it is obvious that in many cases this word is misunderstood, as well as used for various kinds of manipulations.
So what is democracy? Why has it become the cornerstone of the modern civilization?

24. 1. Supporting Details
Democracy can be understood as a process of people governing their state and managing community affairs all together, based on consensus. Though democracy is often defined as a form of government, to my mind it’s more reasonable to contemplate it as a process, a constant opportunity by which citizens may bring changes into their social and political life.

25. 2. Supporting Details
The origins of democracy lie in Ancient Greece. This very term was constructed from two Greek words ‘demos’, which means ‘people’, and ‘cratos’, which means ‘power’. A long time ago Greek men used to gather on the town square to make decisions about urgent political issues. Greek democracy was direct – not only in the sense that citizens could vote for decisions personally, but also in the sense that they could control the political process and the authorities. It must be pointed out, that back then not everyone could take part in voting – this privilege was only available to male citizens. Slaves – and ancient Greece was a slavery state – and women couldn’t affect the social and political life.

26. 3. Supporting Details
Along with the population’s growth and the complication of political processes, it had become almost impossible to conduct direct democracy. This had led to a representative democracy, the model, which is used all over the world today. It may be constitutional, parliamentary, or presidential – the main common feature is that people affect political life through the representatives they’ve chosen through elections.

27. 4. Supporting Details
Modern democracy implies many privileges that ancient Greeks didn’t know. For example, people now can vote regardless of their gender, skin color, social status or financial position. Democracy is considered to be the optimal way to run the state. However, many critics talk about democratic tyranny and even the injustice of this form of government. Imagine that on presidential elections 49% of electorate vote for one candidate, and 51% vote for another. The second candidate wins the elections, but what about those people, whose interests were subjected to the will of the majority?

28. Conclusion
Democracy is a complicated and versatile phenomenon that can be studied from different approaches. However, as Sir Winston Churchill had said once: “Democracy is the worst form of government except for all those others that have been tried”.

29. Summary How to Write a Definition Essay?
Steps for Writing an Definition Essay
Topic Selection for Definition Essay
Key Points to Consider
Dos and Don’ts
Common Mistakes
Example

30. References