How to Write a Definition Essay (Final Exam)
Your final exam will be a 600+ word definition essay. Your textbook only has a couple of pages on this type of essay, so I am including an excerpt from another textbook below. Please read this handout first.
Resources
PDF excerpt of "Definition" from the textbook Steps to Writing Well, 7th edition. Download PDF excerpt of "Definition" from the textbook Steps to Writing Well, 7th edition.
Check out these professional essays on The Kirkman Reader website
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I also recommend viewing this short overview video from Smrt English:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXiT3x_VdW0&list=PLN3kZ8bfmMJN2-EdLyE7_rOZo8o3IpFlv&index=18
Links to an external site.
What is a Definition Essay?
A definition essay gives an in-depth explanation of an idea or term. As the handout above explains, there are many kinds of ideas that require a thorough definition, including “abstract term[s] or concept[s] . . . a term that the writer feels is vague, controversial, misused, or misunderstood . . . new or unusual term[s] . . . [or] technical terms” (p. 237). For example, think of the many different understandings of words such as “success,” “patriotism,” and “beauty.” All of these words have a variety of popular and personal meanings, and these meanings contradict each other as often as they complement each other. For this reason, definition essays often seek to persuade a reader that their particular definition is the correct one. Of course, there are other reasons to write a definition essay. Many writers simply seek to inform their readers or to show what an idea means to them personally.
How Do I Write a Definition Essay?
Prewriting: Decide on a term, and then brainstorm about the possible meanings of the term.
- Although there are many kinds of definition essays, your purpose will be to give your personal definition of a term and then explain that definition in detail. All of the exam terms will relate to education so that you can draw on your experience as a student. An example prompt might be to define "a good student." (That particular term won't be on the list, but I might ask you to define a specific kind of good student.)
- Choose a term that you can discuss with plenty of examples and explanations. You will not use a dictionary definition.
- Brainstorm possible meanings of the term and figure out your opinion of those meanings. For example, if you were defining a "good student," you might argue that the common definition of a good student is too focused on test performance and grades. Here are some possible brainstorming techniques, some of which are taken from the handout above:
- If your term is a familiar one, write down all of the common meanings it holds for people. For example, most people believe a good student is/does __________________.
- Consider synonyms (words that have a similar meaning). Example: A good student is like a _______.
- Think of what the term does not mean. Example: A good student is not ________.
- Write down specific examples. Example: I was a good student when I ___________.
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Consider if there are parts that make up the meaning of a term. Example: A good student does ____, _____, and ______.
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One of my favorite definitions is of the term "happiness" by the psychologist Martin Seligman. As explained in a 2005 Time article by Claudia Wallis, Seligman “finds three components of happiness: pleasure (‘the smiley-face piece’), engagement (the depth of involvement with one’s family, work, romance, and hobbies) and meaning (using one’s personal strengths to serve some larger end).” All of the individual parts are necessary for happiness to be complete.
Drafting: Define and explain your personal definition of the term.
- The introduction should follow the basic guidelines for all introductions. This means you should have a hook, transition sentences, and a one-sentence thesis statement. Write at least five sentences.
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Although your essay will be an in-depth definition, your introduction should present the term, and the thesis should define it in one sentence. As the handbook suggests, one effective method for introducing a term is to discuss its common meanings or explain why there is confusion or misunderstanding surrounding the term. Do not use Webster's or any other dictionary for any part of the essay!
- Example: A good student is one who _________.
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For the body paragraphs, decide which methods you will use to develop the essay and organize the paragraphs based on which methods you want to emphasize.
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Read pages 238-239 for potential methods of development. As you might notice, some methods are strategies used to develop other kinds of essays. For instance, you can:
- explain what the term does not mean ("negation"). You should only use this method for one, or at most two, body paragraphs. Use a different method in the second and/or third body paragraphs so that you're emphasizing the positive aspect of your definition.
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list specific characteristics with examples (as an illustration essay does. See page 117 in For Our Students.)
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explain a process (as a process essay does. See Chapter 9 in For Our Students.)
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compare and contrast your definition to other definitions (as a comparison-contrast essay might)
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present causes or effects (as cause and effect essay would)
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divide a term into parts (as a classification essay would. See page 122 in For Our Students.)
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argue for a particular interpretation (as an argument essay does)
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or even offer a story (as narratives do. See Chapter 8 in For Our Students.).
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The difference here is that the organization of a definition essay is very flexible. A writer can use one method of development or bring in several of the methods listed above. Also, one writer may define a term using one method, while another writer may define the same term using a totally different set of techniques. You can read an example definition essay that uses several different methods on pages 242-245 of the handout.
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Organize your methods to emphasize the paragraph you believe is most important or to show development. For example, if you were to write an essay defining a "good student" that defined the term as having three parts, you might argue that one part is more important than others. Usually, you would place the most important body paragraph last.
- Suggestions for developing the details:
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Remember that your reader (me!) needs to be interested, so don’t just offer ideas that could come from anybody. Give plenty of examples and explanations, and if you do bring in clichés, show how they are inadequate or misleading.
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Although there are many methods of development, it would probably be more effective to choose a couple and use them thoroughly. For instance, if you were to define a good student as someone who does A, B, and C, the body paragraphs would focus on examining each part thoroughly. However, you might write about what a good student is not in the introduction, and you would definitely offer examples to clarify each part.
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Always keep your audience in mind. Although a definition might seem obvious to you, remember that our assumptions are not necessarily shared by others. Try to imagine how others might define a term and why you disagree or simply understand the term differently. These differences can be the source of a very interesting paper. For example, how might a student view the term "good student" differently than a teacher or an employer?
- In the conclusion remember to summarize your overall definition without repeating the thesis word-for-word. Try to reflect on the larger importance of your topic. For example, if you were defining "good student," you might end by considering why it's important to understand what makes a good student.