The Modes Definition Definition Defined Definitions explain what

The Modes: Definition

Definition Defined • Definitions explain what a term (word) means. An extended definition (like a definition essay) is used to explain the meaning of a term when there is more than one meaning or the meaning is contested (controversial or the meaning changes based upon the situation in which the word is used). • For example, the way the word “terrorist” is defined depends on who is the word and what for what purpose. Someone defined as a terrorist by their own government may instead be defined as a freedom fighter, insurgent, or guerilla by someone else.

Definition Thesis Statement • Your definition thesis statement still has two parts: the topic and the point. In a definition essay, the topic is the term (the word being defined) and the point is the significance (why does your audience need to know the meaning of this term). Definition Thesis = term + significance (audience dependent) • Example: Older generations need to know what a selfie is in order to connect their millennial family members. Audience: Older generations Topic = selfie Point = connect with family members

Definition Key Features • A definition essay (an extended definition) needs to have the following things: • A standard definition • Term, class & distinguishing characteristics • Negation • Misconceptions

Key Feature: Standard Definition • An extended definition includes a standard definition of the term, which concisely (typically just one sentence) explains what the term means. • The standard definition includes the term itself, the class to which the term belongs, and characteristics or details that distinguish that term from all others in its class. • For example, a standard definition of a wedding ring might look something like this: “A wedding ring is a piece of jewelry worn on the third finger of the left hand that is typically made of precious metal and gems and is exchanged during a ceremony of commitment to one’s spouse. • Term = wedding ring Class = jewelry • Distinguishing Characteristics: worn on third finger of left hand, typically made of previous metal & gems, exchanged during a ceremony of commitment

Standard Definition Warnings • Do not use the term in it’s own definition. (Don’t say: Mastery means a student has mastered the subject matter. ) • Be careful selecting your class—don’t be too broad or too narrow. • For example when we define a German Shepherd, we don’t want to say the class is mammals. Instead, we’d pick dogs. • Be careful selecting distinguishing characteristics. To distinguish means to be able to tell apart. We don’t want to say that bacon is a pork product served at breakfast. This is inaccurate because bacon can be served at any meal. Also, we wouldn’t use “a game with the objective to score a goal” as a distinguishing characteristic of soccer because lots of sports are games in which we try to score.

Key Feature: Distinguishing Characteristics • In addition to appearing in the standard definition, the distinguishing characteristics are also main points (the topics) in the body of the essay. Each distinguishing characteristics should be fully explained and should have examples for it.

Key Feature: Negation • Sometimes, a term may be very similar to another term. For example, some people might confuse geeks and nerds, so we must be sure to clarify that a geek is NOT a nerd (and then we explain why/how). This is called negation. Telling your reader what something is not, or negating the term, will help them further understand the limitations of the term you are defining. • For example, with our wedding ring, we would need to be negate the similar terms engagement ring and promise ring. Be careful. Negation is NOT “opposites. ” We wouldn’t say a geek is not a jock because these are not similar terms that might be confused for each other.

Key Feature: Misconceptions • We also need to address misconceptions. A misconception is a mistaken idea (perhaps a myth, a stereotype, or just an inaccurate assumption). • For example, the popular idea about plagiarism is that it only means that you copied a whole paper from the internet. However, someone can plagiarize in many ways, and you would seek to explain that in your definition. • For our wedding ring example, a misconception would be that a woman is married to man (or vice versa). We cannot safely the genders of the people in the relationship.

Integrating Definition with other modes • We will often use some element of definition when we write in other modes. We might need to • Define a judgmental, controversial, or unfamiliar term • Define a technical term • Define an abstract concept or term

Definition Warnings • The thesis is NOT the standard (brief) definition. They are two separate pieces of definition and both are necessary. Remember thesis makes a point about why the audience needs to know the term (it does not define the term).

Definition Warnings • Definition is not the same as cause and effect or illustration. For example, we might define the term diva. • Illustration gives examples. If we describe Beyoncé and her behavior or talk about Justice Bieber when he stopped an entire concert live on stage to correct the way his fans were clapping, we are giving examples of diva behavior. We aren’t defining what a diva is. • Cause and effect explains what happens to cause or because of a topic. For example, we might write that “a gangster engages in criminal activity which leads to dangerous situations. For example, gangsters are involved in violent situations like robberies and may even be killed or kill someone else. Because they are criminals, gangsters often end up in the court system and jail; some face long prison sentences. ” This explains the effects of being a gangster (what happens because). It does not define a gangster. • Definition explains what the topic IS by identifying the distinguishing characteristics. We should write something like “A gangster engages in criminal activity. These activities range in severity. For example, a gangster may steal from stores by shoplifting or promote his gang through graffiti. More serious crimes committed by gangsters include armed, robbery, drug sales, assault, and even murder. ”