Deni&on

Essay

Dr. D.
 Extended Deni&on
Crea&ng a deni&on by exploring a thing,
quality, or idea in its full complexity and
drawing boundaries around it un&l its
meaning is complete.
Extended deni&ons usually treat subjects so
complex, vague, or laden with emo&ons or
values that people misunderstand or disagree
over meanings.
 Extended Deni&ons
The subject may be an abstract concept, a
controversial phrase, a slang expression, or a
concrete thing.
An extended deni&on allows an author to put
parameters around what that thing is (or isnt)
Besides dening, the authors purpose is to
persuade readers to accept a deni&on, to
explain a unique or original view of an idea,
concept or thing, or to amuse the audience.
 Wri&ng Arguments of Deni&on:
Consider words that have complex meanings and are
open to interpreta&on.
You should either know something about the subject
or care deeply enough about it to get to know it fully.
Consider what the word does mean to you and what
it doesnt mean to you (Nega&on)
Consider synonyms they might lead you to other
ideas
 Wri&ng Arguments of Deni&on:
Examine the dierences of opinion about the
words meaning the dierent ways, wrong or
right, that you have heard or seen it used.
Is your percep&on of the word unique in some
way due to personal experience?
How might someone else dene your word?
 Wri&ng Arguments of Deni&on:
How can the subject be described?
What are some examples?
Can it be divided into quali&es or
characteris&cs?
Could you compare or contrast it to something
else to help clarify its meaning?
 Wri&ng Extended Deni&ons
When wri&ng extended deni&ons, you have
total control over the direc&on you go and the
parameters you set.
Your deni&on should be your personal view of
the term being dened, not necessarily the
stereotypical view. Please, please, pleasebe
original! I dont want 60 essays on what love is
Be crea&ve with your examples and comparisons
to truly dene your word clearly.
 A. AVen&on geVer
You may want to include the tradi&onal or
dic&onary deni&on here to provide a basis for
your personal deni&on.
At the same &me, this is somewhat overdone
You may want to open with a contradictory image
to what would be your image to illustrate that
deni&on.
 B. Thesis: State how you dene the term. If
you can write the deni&on using specic
points, you will nd the deni&on easier to
follow when wri&ng the paper.
 Body Paragraphs
A. Background informa&on?
OYen unnecessary in this type of paper
However, you may need to provide some background about the term or your
connec&on to the term.
B. Point one
The rst part of your deni&on of the term.
Example to illustrate that point.
Analysis of how the example illustrates the point.
C. Point two
The second part of the deni&on of the term.
Example to illustrate that point.
Analysis of how the example illustrates the point.
D. Point three
The third part of the deni&on (if there is one)
Example to illustrate that point.
Analysis of how the example illustrates the point.
Conclusion
A. Review your deni&ons main points
B. Closing aVen&on geVer
1. Some&mes a reference back to the opening
aVen&on-geVer is a good way of unifying the
en&re essay.
2. You may want to close with an explana&on
of how your deni&on has aected you.
 Patrio&sm
AVen&on geVer: Tradi&onal deni&on of
patrio&sm (as perceived in an image)
Thesis: Patrio&sm is speaking out when a
person feels the country is right or wrong,
vo&ng, campaigning, and respec&ng others.
 A. Speaking out when country is wrong
Vietnam
Slavery
Womens right to vote
 B. Speaking out when country is right
Afghanistan
Health care
C. Vo&ng
Making a choice based on ones needs
Being involved in the vo&ng process
D. Respec&ng others
Paying taxes.
Respec&ng others points of view
Arab-American prejudice aYer 9/11.
III. Conclusion
A. Review of patriot as protestor, voter, and
respecbul ci&zen.
B. Closing aVen&on geVer: return to
introduc&on's image of patriot

Was this debatable? Was it unique? Was it

controversial?