1. Prof. K. E. Ogden

2. What is a Definition Essay? When you write a definition essay: --Your main purpose is to explain to your readers your understanding of a key term or concept --your secondary purpose is to persuade readers that your definition is a legitimate one

3. Components of a Definition Essay Definition essays aren’t simply the “dictionary” definition of a particular word or concept. The writer acknowledges that there can be multiple truths for defining complex words and concepts You need to convey what a particular term means to you You need to acknowledge and engage in conversation with other writers and their ideas about a particular concept or word

4. How to build your definition Consider the simple definition first; this is where you might look at several common dictionaries and how they define a term so that you can point out the strengths, weaknesses, inconsistencies, and complexities involved in the definition Consider how others define the word or concept; a scholar, a specialist in a particular field; a common person; a peer; Engage in conversation with these writers

5. Brainstorm as an exercise Consider a question that has mystified philosophers for centuries: Is there a God?

6. Where to begin: Common definitions of God How “specialists” define God How “common people” define God Then think about how YOU define God; and Why you define God in that way.

7. EVIDENCE How Why How Come As Compared to What/ Contrasted with What For Example What it is not Describe --these are all questions that will help you to develop evidence to support your ideas about a particular concept

8. Thesis Statement You need to state what you’re trying to define and why: The people in my grandmother’s living room took a word [nigger] that whites used to signify worthlessness or degradation and rendered it impotent... Meeting the word head-on, they [African-Americans] proved it had absolutely nothing to do with the way they were determined to live their lives.—Gloria Naylor

9. Revising MEANINGS: Have you explored the idea thoroughly, and shared the obvious and not-so-obvious meanings? DEVELOPMENT: Where might you offer more of the description, comparison, examples, How Come, Why etc.? FOCUS: Does each paragraph build on your idea? Does each paragraph have a single focus?

10. Finally: Why did you write it? (Yeah, I know, I assigned it... BUT What is your purpose? What do you hope to have the reader think, feel, understand by the end of your paper? Does each paragraph build toward accomplishing that purpose?

11. Check out HACKER 22-23 for mechanics and Language Usage ideas