What is definition ?
This is a brief, succinct explanation of what a word means.
What is a Formal Definition?
This is one reason to define a term that the writer feels is vague, controversial, misused, or misunderstood.
What is to provide a personal interpretation?
An inadequate definition is often the result of choosing a subject that is too much of this.
What is too broad or complex?
This part of the introduction must make clear the larger purpose for which the writer is defining the term.
What is the Thesis statement?
Telling what the term doesn't mean is a strategy known by this name.
What is Define by Negation?
A definition tells what a term means and how it differs from other terms in this.
What is a class?
Terms like hero, success, and loyalty fall under this type of term or concept that a definition seeks to clarify.
What is an abstract term or concept?
This is a problem where the definition just renames the subject, such as defining a poet as "one who writes poetry."
What is an circular definition?
Each body paragraph should begin with this to introduce the specific aspect of the term being discussed.
What is a topic sentence?
This strategy uses something familiar to explain and clarify an unfamiliar or abstract concept.
What is Using an Analogy?
This type of definition provides a longer, more detailed, complex explanation that thoroughly defines a subject or its essential nature.
What is an Extended Definition?
Defining technical terms such as deconstruction or subprime mortgage serves this purpose, related to a particular field.
What is to make understandable the language/technical terms of a particular field (or profession/industry)?
When defining, the writer should avoid using generalities and instead use details that are specific and this.
What are vivid details?
The conclusion should summarize the main points and restate this part of the essay.
What is the definition (or thesis)?
Tracing the development or origin of a term uses this clarification strategy.
What is Present the history?
A failure to understand just one particular term can lead to this result.
What is total misunderstanding?
Providing the colorful history, uses, effects, or examples of a word like comfort food or Zydeco music serves to inform and do this.
What is to entertain?
To avoid an incomplete definition, the writer must narrow their subject to a manageable size and then define it this way.
What is thoroughly as possible?
To provide a comprehensive understanding of a term, the essay should include a combination of dictionary definitions and this.
What is the writer's own interpretation?
Explaining a process or an operation is a way to use this general strategy to clarify a definition.
What is Explain in more details?
The essential nature of something or someone is explained in this type of definition.
What is an Extended Definition?
This is the purpose of defining a new or unusual term or phrase found in popular culture, slang, or a particular group, like boomerang kids or McJobs.
What is to explain a new or unusual term or phrase?
This should be avoided as the opener for every definition essay, unless it is uniquely blended into the discussion, perhaps as a point of contrast.
What is quoting Webster (or a standard dictionary definition)?
Body paragraphs can be organized using this logical progression, moving from broad context to focused discussion.
What is from general to specific (or from historical to contemporary perspectives)?
Discussing the causes or effects of a term, or defining by Compare and contrast, are both listed among these.
What are strategies to clarify a definition?