Writing Quick Start: Explaining What You Mean

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Definition:

Explaining What You Mean

IN THIS CHAPTER YOU WILL LEARN TO

  • understand the purpose and function of definition essays,
  • use graphic organizers to visualize definition essays,
  • integrate definition into an essay,
  • read and think critically about definition, and
  • plan, organize, draft, revise, and edit essays using definition.

WRITING QUICK START

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uppose your psychology instructor showed this photograph to the class and asked, “What type of human behavior is being exhibited here?” What would be your response? You might say the people in the photograph are demonstrating cooperation, self-reliance, or compassion, for example.

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©Ashley Cooper pics/Alamy

Write a paragraph defining the motivations and behavior of the men pushing the car. First choose a term that describes their motivation or behavior. Then write a brief definition of the term you chose and explain the qualities or characteristics of the motivation or behavior.

A definition explains the meaning of a term (or which meaning is intended when a word has several different meanings). Often a definition is intended for those who are unfamiliar with the thing or idea being defined. For example, you might define slicing to someone unfamiliar with golf or explain the term koi to a person unfamiliar with tropical fish.

You use definitions every day in a variety of situations. If you call a friend a nonconformist, for example, she might ask you what you mean. If you and a friend disagree over whether you are feminists, you might need to define the term in order to resolve your dispute. In the Writing Quick Start, you named and defined a motivation or behavior.

USING DEFINITION IN COLLEGE AND THE WORKPLACE

  • On an exam for a health and fitness course, the following short-answer question appears: “Define the term wellness.”
  • Your psychology instructor asks you to write a paper exploring classical conditioning. As part of the essay, you need to define the concept and provide examples from everyday life.
  • As a chemical engineer responsible for your department’s compliance with the company’s standards for safety and work efficiency, you write a brief memo to your staff defining each term.