Definition

Definition Tells what a term means and how it differs from other terms in its class Altruism is the performance of an unselfish act. As a pattern of behavior, this act must have two qualities It must benefits someone else, and It must do so to the disadvantage of the benefactor It is not merely a matter of being helpful; it is helpfulness at a cost to yourself Essay is not merely a dictionary definition but must explain what something or even someone is

Formal Definition Three part structure Example:: Term to be defined Class it is part of Qualities that differentiate it from the other terms in the same class Example:: Term: Naturalism Class: A literary movement Differentiation: Whose original advocates believed that writers should treat life with scientific objectivity

Examples Term: Behaviorism Class: A theory Differentiation: That regards the objective facts of a subject’s actions as the only valid basis for psychological study. Term: Cell Class: A unit of protoplasm Differentiation: With a nucleus, cytoplasm, and an enclosing membrane

Uses To explain: Abstractions: Freedom Controversial terms: Right to life Slang terms Words with more than one meaning: Unfamiliar words Using a word in an unfamiliar way: Wife beater Untouchable

Combining Rhetorical Modes Exemplification: provides examples Description: provide a visualization Comparison and contrast: provide a comparison/contrast with something familiar to the reader Process: provide an explanation; suitable for terms that must be described by what they do Classification: identify the class your term belongs to

Other Strategies Synonyms Antonyms Enumeration (listing its characteristics) Analogies Origin and Development

Example 1 Introduction (reason) Definition Conclusion Thesis: if you look carefully at your calendar for the month of December, you are likely to come across the holiday Kwanzaa, which may be unfamiliar to you but which is celebrated each year by an increasing number of your friends, coworkers, and neighbors Current importance with examples Definition Brief formal definition Historical background Features: seven principles, various activities, clothing, participants, meaning of celebration, food, stories, materials and resources Present instances – current and growing popularity Conclusion Summary and sources for further information

Example 2 Introduction: Background: Examples: Conclusion: Thesis: Contrary to its critics’ objections, behaviorism is a valid approach for treating a wide variety of psychological dysfunctions Background: Definition of behaviorism, including its origins and evolution Examples: The use of behaviorism to help psychotics function in an institutional setting The use of behaviorism to treat neurotic behavior, such as chronic anxiety, a phobia, or a pattern of destructive acts The use of behaviorism to treat normal but antisocial or undesirable behavior, such as heavy smoking or overeating Conclusion: Restatement of thesis or review of key points

Definition Essay Types For subjects that can be observed, measured, and known: What are its features? What is its history? What does it do? What doesn’t it do? For concepts, values, or terms whose meaning depends on the ways people use them: How do people use it? What has its meaning been historically? How has the meaning changed? How is the set of values or concepts different from/ similar to others?