What Is a Definition Essay? * Definition essay explainedThe definition essay explains the meaning of a word or a concept or a term. The purpose of the definition essay is to help the reader understand the meaning of an unfamiliar term or clarify the meaning of an abstract or vague term. How to Write a Definition Essay The following are common ways to define a word or a concept or a term: 1. Demonstrate the denotations and connotations of a word:Denotations are the formal dictionary definitions of a word.Connotations often imply emotional, informal, or slang cases of the word. Example 1Rat— Denotative meaning: a rodent;Connotative meaning: a person who tattles on other people or who exhibits undesirable or dishonest behavior.Example 2Card— Denotative meaning: a sturdy, but small, piece of rectangular shaped paper used for business purposes or card games.Connotative meaning: a lively, entertaining person or the act of requiring proof of age before sales of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. 2. Demonstrate the popular beliefs and personal interpretations of a concept: Example 1Success— Popular belief: success means getting richPersonal interpretation: success means either overcoming obstacles or other unique interpretations. Example 2Beauty— Popular belief: good lookingPersonal interpretation: self-sacrifice, loving, forgiving, or other unique interpretations. 3. Demonstrate the characteristics, the function, or the make-up of an object or a term: Example 1Axe— An axe is a tool used for chopping trees and splitting wood; it is made up of a wooden handle and a metal head with a blade usually on one side. Example 2Machismo— Machismo is the inflated male ego as characterized by domination of women, an exaggerated show of male strength, etc. Introduction 1. Lead-in: Introduce the topic (the concept or term you are going to define). 2. Transition: Make transition to thesis statement. 3. Thesis Statement: Define at least three aspects of the meaning of the concept or term (e.g. “Country music can be best understood if we know its history, its pattern of rhythm, and its themes.”). BodyParagraph 11. Topic Sentence: Present the first aspect of the meaning of the conceptor term (e.g. “The meaning of Country Music depends heavily on itshistory”).2. Supporting Details: Explain what/how/why.3. Closing Remarks: Wrap up this paragraph (e.g. “That is why one cannot understand Country Music without learning about its history”). Body Paragraph 21. Topic Sentence: Present the second aspect of the meaning of the conceptor term.2. Supporting Details: Explain what/how/why.3. Closing Remarks: Wrap up this paragraph. Body Paragraph 31. Topic Sentence: Present the third aspect of the meaning of the conceptor term.2. Supporting Details: Explain what/how/why.3. Closing Remarks: Wrap up this paragraph.Writing Made Easy Conclusion 1. Wrap up the main points. 2. Point out the significance of the concept or term Definition Essay I. A d.

1. What Is a Definition Essay?
*
Definition essay explainedThe definition essay explains the
meaning of a word or a concept or a term. The purpose of the
definition essay is to help the reader understand the meaning of
an unfamiliar term or clarify the meaning of an abstract or
vague term.
How to Write a Definition Essay
The following are common ways to define a word or a concept
or a term:
1. Demonstrate the denotations and connotations of a
word:Denotations are the formal dictionary definitions of a
word.Connotations often imply emotional, informal, or slang
cases of the word.
Example 1Rat— Denotative meaning: a rodent;Connotative
meaning: a person who tattles on other people or who exhibits
undesirable or dishonest behavior.Example 2Card— Denotative
meaning: a sturdy, but small, piece of rectangular shaped paper
used for business purposes or card games.Connotative meaning:
a lively, entertaining person or the act of requiring proof of age

2. before sales of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
2. Demonstrate the popular beliefs and personal interpretations
of a concept:
Example 1Success— Popular belief: success means getting
richPersonal interpretation: success means either overcoming
obstacles or other unique interpretations.
Example 2Beauty— Popular belief: good lookingPersonal
interpretation: self-sacrifice, loving, forgiving, or other unique
interpretations.
3. Demonstrate the characteristics, the function, or the make-up
of an object or a term:
Example 1Axe— An axe is a tool used for chopping trees and
splitting wood; it is made up of a wooden handle and a metal
head with a blade usually on one side.
Example 2Machismo— Machismo is the inflated male ego as
characterized by domination of women, an exaggerated show of
male strength, etc.
Introduction
1. Lead-in: Introduce the topic (the concept or term you are
going to define).
2. Transition: Make transition to thesis statement.
3. Thesis Statement: Define at least three aspects of the
meaning of the concept or term (e.g. “Country music can be best
understood if we know its history, its pattern of rhythm, and its
themes.”).

3. BodyParagraph 11. Topic Sentence: Present the first aspect of
the meaning of the conceptor term (e.g. “The meaning of
Country Music depends heavily on itshistory”).2. Supporting
Details: Explain what/how/why.3. Closing Remarks: Wrap up
this paragraph (e.g. “That is why one cannot understand
Country Music without learning about its history”).
Body Paragraph 21. Topic Sentence: Present the second aspect
of the meaning of the conceptor term.2. Supporting Details:
Explain what/how/why.3. Closing Remarks: Wrap up this
paragraph.
Body Paragraph 31. Topic Sentence: Present the third aspect of
the meaning of the conceptor term.2. Supporting Details:
Explain what/how/why.3. Closing Remarks: Wrap up this
paragraph.Writing Made Easy
Conclusion
1. Wrap up the main points.
2. Point out the significance of the concept or term
Definition Essay
I. A definition essay defines a word, term, or concept in depth
by providing a personal commentary on what the
specific subject means.
A. Most physical objects have a definition about which most

4. people agree.
1. Most people will agree on what trees, windows, computers,
and pencils are in general.
2. These objects all have specific physical properties that most
people can agree on through the
use of their physical senses.
B. However, abstract terms, such as love, pain, or patriotism,
have different meanings for different
individuals since such terms play on people’s feelings more
than their physical senses.
C. The definition essay provides a personal, extended definition
of such terms by linking or comparing
the term to a previous definition and by illustrating how that
term should be applied.
II. Setting up the definition essay
A. Select a subject carefully.
1. Since such essays are personal in nature, select your subject
based on your own need to clarify
the term.
a. For example, if you feel that the word marriage should be
defined in a limited manner,
that term would make a good subject for a definition essay.

5. b. Perhaps as a parent, you want to define what the term
discipline means from your point
of view.
2. Select a term or subject that you know well enough so that
you can provide specific examples
to illustrate your definition.
a. For example, if you aren’t familiar with the term platonic
love, don’t attempt to define
it in an extended essay.
b. The subject of the essay must be familiar enough to you that
you can readily supply
specific examples.
3. Don’t select a subject either too broad or too narrow to fit the
parameters of your essay.
a. For example, the word hat may be too narrow for you to
define in an extended essay.
b. On the other hand, the term love may be too broad or general
since pinning it down to
a single definition is very difficult.
B. Once you have selected a subject, outline your paper
carefully before writing.

6. 1. Outlining will help you determine the specific points you
want to cover in the definition and
point out where you need examples.
2. Here are some suggestions for how to outline a definition
paper:
I. Introduction
A. Attention getter
1. You may want to include the traditional or dictionary
definition here to provide a basis for
your personal definition.
2. You may want to open with a contradictory image to what
would be your image to illustrate
that definition.
B. Thesis: State how you define the term. If you can write the
definition using specific points, you will
find the definition easier to follow when writing the paper.
II. Body
A. Background information:
1. Often unnecessary in this type of paper
2. However, you may need to provide some background about
the term or your connection to the

7. term.
B. Point one
1. The first part of your definition of the term.
2. Example to illustrate that point.
3. Analysis of how the example illustrates the point.
C. Point two
1. The second part of the definition of the term.
2. Example to illustrate that point.
3. Analysis of how the example illustrates the point.
D. Point three
1. The third part of the definition (if there is one)
2. Example to illustrate that point.
3. Analysis of how the example illustrates the point.
E. Point four, etc.
III. Conclusion
A. Review your definition’s main points
B. Closing attention getter

8. 1. Sometimes a reference back to the opening attention-getter is
a good way of unifying the
entire essay.
2. You may want to close with an explanation of how your
definition has affected you.
Writing the definition essay
A. Make sure that you have a good, specific thesis that tells
readers just how you will define the term.
B. Follow your outline to remind yourself when you need
examples and analysis of those examples.
1. Modify your outline when you think you need to.
2. Remember not to paragraph based on your outline's points.
C. Use good, specific examples to illustrate each point.
1. Examples allow readers to visualize how the definition can be
applied.
2. You may need to do research to find good examples
D. Provide good transitions to link all parts of the essay.
E. Have a good conclusion that brings the parts of the definition
together and leaves readers with an
image of how the definition is applied.
F. Proofread carefully.

9. Hypocrisy
Inner peace
Obsession
Generosity
-win situation
-sum game

10. Depression
Greed
Exploitation
A monster
Failure
.

11. Definition Essay
This essay assignment is designed to allow you to explore the
definition pattern of essay development. Remember that most
essays incorporate multiple patterns of development, while one
pattern predominates. That may very well be the case here,
depending on which topic you decide to pursue, but ultimately
your job in this essay is to focus on writing an extended
definition for a word or term.
Once you decide on a limited subject, decide if the essay has an
informative or a persuasive purpose. The paper might begin
with the etymology of the term, a stipulative definition, or a
definition by negation. You may want to use a number of
writing
patterns—such as description, comparison, narration, process
analysis, etc.—to develop the definition. Remember, too, that
they paper doesn’t have to be scholarly and serious. There is no
reason it can’t be a lighthearted discussion of the meaning of
a term.
Additionally, because an essay such as this lends itself to the
invocation of a credible source of authority outside yourself,
you
are required to use—and properly cite—at least one legitimate
outside source in this essay. This could be a source that
provides a definition of your term, a source that provides an
example that supports your definition, a source that provides
inspiration or a reason for a new way of looking at a term, etc.
As you draft this essay, we will explore potential credible
outside sources during a library session, and we will also
discuss proper citation formatting.

12. The following terms are rich with possibility for a definition
essay. Select one, and write an essay in which you provide an
extended definition of the term.
mensch, klutz, or
chutzpah, or
another commonly
used term imported
from some other
language