Patterns in Pop Culture...
Definition
What is definition?
A definition explains what something is and is not. There are three types of definitions: 1. The formal definition is the standard, dictionary definition. This is what we think of most when we hear the word definition. 2. The stipulative definition is used when the writer wants to focus on a specific way a term is being used. For example, in one election cycle the term “soccer moms” was use to reference married, middle-class women who live in suburbs, have school age children, and spend their time driving mini-vans or suvs. 3. The extended definition is what most composition classes work with in a definition essay. These are definitions that mean different things to different people. An extended definition can express feelings, opinions, knowledge, and personal experiences that the writer associates with the word being defined. In defining “hero” you could discuss a special family member or friend that has battled a serious illness with dignity and how their character and actions truly defined what a hero is to you. How is a definition essay written? The extended definition essay can be written in combination with any other pattern such as narrative, description, compare and contrast, exemplification, and so on. Why do we use the definition text? Most often the purpose of definition pieces are to inform the audience. However, they can be written to relate experiences. These experiences can be used to provide evidence within a larger context – say a cause and effect essay. They can also be used to entertain, say within a narrative essay. |
Definition Essay: Humor and EntertainmentThe above link takes you to an entry on Wikispaces for an English 101 class. It contains an extended definition essay that provides humor and entertainment. Its source is a composition textbook.
This video depicts a short personal narrative about one woman's experience defining a specific cultural issue and her attempt to deal with it.
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