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STRUCTURE OF A SUCCESSFUL DEFINITION ESSAY
Our essays will follow the conventions outlined in standard MLA guidelines. This includes not only formatting (font, space, etc.) but structural conventions. Following these basic structural conventions will help us deliver our message clearly, precisely, and effectively.
Introduction (one or more paragraphs): Opens your definition argument by engaging your reader’s interest, and, over the course of the introduction, logically guiding your reader to your topic/definition. Ends by presenting your complex definition along with a “roadmap” of the central points that you will use to explore that definition.
· Hook sentence(s) to open
· Presentation of topic
· Information that the audience needs to understand before moving forward (context, background material, etc.)
· Write an explanation of definition description and clarification of evaluation criteria.
· Thesis statement (central definition claim, one that pairs your topic with a debatable, subjective claim and previews the main points of your discussion)
Remember, many definition thesis claims can be formulated as “is” statements:
(Topic you are defining) is (the subjective criteria you will use to define the topic).
Example 1: Helping students is the best part of being a teacher.
Example 2: Even though it was very successful, Forrest Gump is an overrated film.
Body (multiple paragraphs): Overall purpose of the body paragraphs is to “unpack” your thesis claim (explaining the thesis by breaking it into several parts, each part explained and elaborated on in its own paragraph or paragraphs)
· Each body paragraph should:
o Begin with a strong, clearly worded topic sentence. Each topic sentence is a subclaim which explains, expands, or develops the central claim point you are making with your thesis statement. Each topic sentence is focuses specifically on this individual paragraph and then explicitly ties the points of this paragraph back to your original thesis statement
o Present a detailed examination of a part or aspect of your definition
o Present relevant examples and support, with citations
§ Ethos, Logos, and Pathos
§ Examples (Exemplification)
§ Descriptions
§ Quotes from experts
§ Comparison
§ Short narrative (anecdote)
· Source Integration: You need at least two outside sources for your supporting evidence for this essay. These sources should be documented with MLA accurate Works Cited pages and in-text citations.
o Sources typically appear in the body of your essay. While you *might* have a good reason for including a source in your introduction, it is not common. Sources are even more rare in your conclusion.
o Every source you use, quoted or paraphrased, should be formatted in the body of your essay using the “source sandwich” or “citation sandwich” approach.
o The three parts of this “sandwich” are:
§ Attribution statement
§ Source material, paraphrased or quoted, with citation
§ Analysis and interpretation: Generally speaking, every source you use should be followed with an analysis or interpretation of that source at a minimum 1:1 ratio to the original source.
· Ex. If your source text is two sentences long, your analysis of that source should also be two lines long.
Conclusion (single paragraph)
o Reiteration or restatement of thesis (not a direct repetition of the thesis)
o Final summation of your key points (the subclaims that formed the basis of your body paragraphs)
o Presents a final thought to leave with your reader
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