1. Extended Definition Introduction A Writer’s Checklist Choosing a term
Writing an initial definition
Researching a term
Identifying a thesis
Using an appropriate structure
A Writer’s Model
Your Turn: Write an extended definition

2. Introduction
Look at the photos and labels below. How would you explain the meanings of these concepts to another person?
leadership
patriotism
strength
pride
ambition

3. Introduction
Suppose someone asked you, “What is snowboarding?” You could probably answer this question with a short, simple answer.
What if this person then asked you, “What is friendship?” To answer this question, you would have to offer a longer, more complex definition.

4. Introduction
A question like “What is friendship?” calls for an extended definition. This is a lengthy explanation that may include some of the following:
• a dictionary definition
• a personal definition
• categorizing
• examples
• comparing and contrasting

5. A Writer’s Checklist
When you write an extended definition, you should:
Choose a term to define.
Write an initial definition of the term.
Research the term to extend your initial definition.
Identify a thesis that states the main idea of your extended definition.
Use an appropriate structure to organize and write your definition. 5

6. Choosing a term
When choosing a term for your extended definition, consider words that you hear on a regular basis. Make a list of some of these terms that you might want to define.
Look for words that do not have simple definitions. A term for which you write an extended definition should have a complex meaning.

7. Choosing a term
Two types of terms for which you could write an extended definition are:
difficult or unfamiliar terms that you wish to explain to your readers
inflation, sonata
abstract terms that have personal meaning or relevance to you
peace, generosity

8. Choosing a term
The strategies listed below will help you identify and choose a good term for an extended definition.
Listen for interesting words you encounter in your classes and conversations with family and friends.
Read literature in order to identify abstract terms. Check newspapers and magazines for new concepts.
Question yourself and others about the meanings of terms that appear to be interesting or flexible.

9. Choosing a term Here’s how Indio chose a term to write about:
Today, my friends and I had a conversation about the idea of success. It occurred to me that people can measure success in a number of different ways. Therefore, this term could make an interesting subject for an extended definition. In my essay, I could discuss some of the different ways that people define success and explain what the term means to me.

10. Writing an initial definition
The dictionary is a good place to start defining your term. Here you can locate an initial definition of the term, which you will later extend. A dictionary definition has two important properties:
• It tells the class or category to which the term belongs.
• It identifies characteristics that differentiate it from other terms in its class or category.

11. Writing an initial definition
For example, a dictionary definition states that success is “the degree or measure of succeeding” or “the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence.” This definition tells us the category (state of being) and the characteristics (wealth, favor, eminence) that distinguish a successful person.

12. Writing an initial definition
You can extend the short definition of a term by using descriptions, personal experiences, examples, and so on. Indio chose to extend his short definition like so:
Many people find success through their jobs or careers. Other individuals could measure success in academic, athletic, or artistic pursuits. My experiences running track have taught me to measure success on my own terms.

13. Writing an initial definition
Another helpful method for developing extended definitions is a definition map. This is a flexible tool that helps you visually organize information for your definition. Like the example below, these maps can define a term by listing its properties and giving examples. They may also state what the term is not.
What it is not: failure, happiness
Term: Success
Properties: wealth, favor, eminence, etc.
Examples: winning a contest, advancing one’s career, meeting one’s expectations
Category: State of Being

14. Researching a term
As you begin to develop your extended definition, you may encounter topics with which you are not especially familiar.
In these cases, you will likely want to gather more information about these topics. You can locate this information by using both formal research and informal research.

15. Researching a term
Formal research is investigation done with primary and secondary sources. These include sources such as encyclopedias, newspaper and magazine articles, and historical documents.
This type of research will prove especially helpful if you are defining a term related to fields such as science or history. In these instances, formal research will allow you to provide any necessary background information and verify that your facts are correct.

16. Researching a term
Informal research refers to investigative work involving a wide variety of materials that you might not think of as sources. You would likely conduct informal research when defining more abstract terms, such as success. Here’s how Indio chose to do some informal research:
Through an interview with my uncle, I learned that some people measure success according to both their career and their family life.

17. Identifying a thesis
When you have finished your research, you must then decide what the thesis, or main point, of your extended definition will be.
The main goal of your thesis should be to provide readers with an in-depth, thoughtful definition of the term you chose.

18. Identifying a thesis
You may also wish to further develop your thesis by focusing on a more specific part of the term’s meaning. You could highlight people’s misconceptions about the term or demonstrate how the extended definition differs from the dictionary definition. For instance:
For me, the most important type of success is that which we achieve in relation to our personal goals and expectations.

19. Using an appropriate structure
As you prepare to write your extended definition, you will find that you have many different pieces of information that you must present in an organized and coherent way.
Your thesis should provide the essay with its overall structure. However, you need to choose the best method for arranging your information.

20. Using an appropriate structure
The most common way to organize ideas in an extended definition is in logical order, the order in which things make the best sense.
However, different types of information can suggest alternative ways of ordering your ideas.

21. Using an appropriate structure
The chart below lists several possible approaches to organizing the ideas in your definition:
Category
Description
Example
chronological order
Organizes information in the order in which it occurred; often used for anecdotal or historical information
A description of how the term justice has changed over time
order of importance
Organizes information from most important to least or vice versa; often used to define a quality
A description of the most important qualities of success
spatial order
Presents information beginning at a point and moving in a consistent direction; often used to provide a physical definition
A description of a state’s landscape, moving from east to west

22. A Writer’s Checklist
Use the checklist as you look at the following Writer’s Model and as you evaluate and revise your own extended definition.
Choose a term to define.
Write an initial definition of the term.
Research the term to extend your initial definition.
Identify a thesis that states the main idea of your extended definition.
Use an appropriate structure to organize and write your definition. 23

23. Do you consider yourself to be a successful person
Do you consider yourself to be a successful person? The Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines success as a state of being that is “the degree or measure of succeeding.” The dictionary goes on to define success as “the attainment of wealth, favor, and eminence.” However, I believe that this definition places too much emphasis on weighing our success against that of others. For me, the most important type of success is that which we achieve in relation to our personal goals and expectations.
attention-grabber
dictionary definition, including category
thesis statement

24. For many people, the conventional dictionary definition of success does hold a great deal of importance. To some, achievements in business and finance provide the most crucial measure of success. Other individuals may seek success through athletics or other forms of competition. Still more people may define success according to the praise or acclaim they receive for their work or contributions to scientific or artistic fields, such as medical research, painting, or filmmaking.
examples of success

25. However, I would argue that defining success strictly along these lines limits the meaning of the term by comparing our achievements to those of our peers. While many adhere to these measures of success, others may define success more broadly. For instance, some may measure success according to their ability to help others or to make the world a better place. They may receive no reward or recognition for their efforts, but still consider themselves to be very successful.
more examples of success

26. I have also found that it is important to consider one’s own goals and expectations when measuring success. Last year, I decided to run cross country. I knew that I was unlikely to finish well against the more experienced runners I would face. However, I set goals to improve my times throughout the season, to get regular exercise, and to have fun. And though I never came close to winning a race, I did meet each of these goals. As a result, I viewed my season as a very successful one.
anecdote

27. In conclusion, I believe that the conventional dictionary definition of success limits the true meaning of the term. Attainment certainly represents a significant part of success for some. Success can also be defined by the benefits that our efforts produce for others or by our achievements in relation to our personal expectations. I believe that by taking this broader view of success, many more people can view their work, their accomplishments, and themselves in a more positive light.
summary of definition
statement of definition’s importance

28. Your Turn: Write an extended definition
Write your own extended definition. Use the Writer’s Checklist as a guide to planning and writing your essay.
Choose one of the following terms and write an extended definition for it:
Talent Fear Discovery Home
Choose your own term and write an extended definition of it.

29. The End 30