Definition Writing Defined
Definition writing answers the question "What is it?" Any student who has a younger sibling or child knows how commonly this question is asked. "What's dis?" or "What's dat?" occur very early in developing language . More often than not, words are defined by other words. If a child asks what "hot" is, a parent may respond with a word the child already knows, such as "burn". If the explanation is not clear, confusion results, certainly not understanding. Sometimes, the child will have to experience a "hot" event to cognitively understand what hot is and then he/she can assign a term to it: "hot". So definition is learned through experience or by defining with other words. When a new word evolves, we question its meaning. For example, a "wamba" woman is a woman who needs two bar stools to sit on! The recent rap song "Getting Jiggy With It" had a lot of people inquiring as to what exactly jiggy meant.
In addition to the above, since definition writing is often used in essays and in writing tests, we need to know how to expand on a basic definition so that the reader receives the information he/she needs to correctly understand our meaning.
Do's and Don'ts of Definition
1. Always begin with a formal definition
100% of students who have all studied for a test will respond to a short answer definition by placing the word in a general class. For example, "a miracle is an event or action " or "cystic fibrosis is a lung disease" they will reply. But only 50% of students will continue on with the definition and show how it differs from all others in the same class. For example, "a miracle is an event or action that contradicts natural law" or "cystic fibrosis is a lung disease which also affects the pancreas and reproductive organs" those students would write. By placing the word in a class you have half the definition; you need to continue on as shown and explain how the word being defined differs from others in the same class for true understanding of the term.
2. Expand the definition with description, examples, or comparison/contrast
First, by using descriptive concrete details, you will expand the definition and permit additional understanding. Just be sure that the details are relevant and concrete to your definition.
Second, exemplification can add to the readers understanding. Using additional examples will clarify the word being described and add additional information to ensure the reader's understanding.
Lastly, using comparison/contrast can help
to illustrate what the word being defined is as well
as what it is not. This eliminates confusion
as to whether a word is a synonym for another
word as well.
NOTE:
Do
not commit the most common student writing error --the circular definition.
To say that "Narration is the art of narrating" is repetitious and does
not define. Better to use examples, etc. and stay away from simply
rewording the word to be defined. No understanding will evolve out
of circular definitions.
CLUES
FOR DEFINITION WRITING
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Last Updated: July, 2003
Patricia
A. Hutchins
http://www.delta.edu/pahutchi/definition.htnl