Write a multi-paragraph essay that defines your concept of term or phrase connected to your career field. You will use various strategies of definition (definition by function, example, and negation) to explain your unique opinion on the concept.
Steps
Prewriting/Planning
1. Consider the question What defines a _______________?
2. Next, categorize your ideas on the graphic organizer by the strategies of definition, and brainstorm details that will support your ideas. Details may come from texts (fiction, nonfiction, film), your own experiences, and historical or current society.
Drafting
3. Introduce your ideas by providing a hook, context, and a thesis (your ideas should move from general to specific). One way to draw your reader into the essay is to use a quotation related to the concept. To contextualize your thesis, you might discuss commonly held beliefs about heroism that do not match your definition. This allows you to point out the weaknesses in those definitions in comparison to yours.
4. Use a variety of definition strategies to define heroism as you draft the body paragraphs of your essay. Consider organizing each paragraph around a different strategy. Remember:
Paragraphs using the function strategy demonstrate how heroism functions or operates in the real world.
Paragraphs using the example strategy use examples to help the reader understand your definition. These examples often come from texts.
Paragraphs using the negation strategy explain what something is by showing what it is not. Using negation helps to contrast your definition with others’ definitions.
5. Draft a conclusion that leaves the reader with a final impression about your definition. The conclusion of a definition essay often ends by focusing on the question: “So what?” It encourages the reader to accept the definition you presented.
Revising
6. After you have written an initial draft of your essay, go back to your thesis. Does your definition reflect your unique opinion? Is your thesis clearly stated in the introduction of your essay?
7. Continue to revise your essay to make sure you have effectively used various strategies of definition. Using more than one strategy of definition allows you to use a wide range of examples. Can your reader relate to your examples? Do you use enough examples to help the reader understand your unique point of view?
Editing
8. Carefully edit your final draft for punctuation and language conventions.
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