Writing and Revising a Multi-paragraph Definition Essay
| Learning Objective: - Develop a thesis and write a multi-paragraph definition essay.
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LESSON
In this lesson, you will learn how to write a definition essayA writing that explains a term or concept using a variety of techniques such as research, statistics, historical and popular references, comparisons, abstractions, and other ideas., which is a common assignment in the college classroom. It is a tool for instructors to measure your understanding of a subject. While this type of essayA short piece of writing that focuses on at least one main idea. Some essays are also focused on the author's unique point of view, making them personal or autobiographical, while others are focused on a particular literary, scientific, or political subject. may include both formal definitionsThe meaning of a word that consists of three parts: the term, the part of speech to which it belongs, and all the traits or characteristics that set it apart from every other item in that class. and informal definitionsThe meaning of a word that is explained using known words or examples to define an unknown term. These definitions may be synonyms or antonyms introduced by or, in other words, or like., overall it falls in the category of an extended definitionThe meaning of an idea or word that has components of both informal and formal definitions, but is presented in a longer, paragraph format. . For this essay, you will use the following six steps to develop an introductionThe first paragraph of an essay. It must engage the reader, set the tone, provide background information, and present the thesis., thesisAn overall argument, idea, or belief that a writer uses as the basis for a work., and supporting paragraphsA selection of a writing that is made up of sentences formed around one main point. Paragraphs are set apart by a new line and sometimes indentation. (you will not be expected to write a conclusion in this lesson):
- Understand the assignment.
- Gather ideas.
- Create a working thesis.
- Develop paragraphs that support your thesis.
- Write an introduction.
- Revise your essay.
Step 1: Understand the assignment.
You could write the most beautiful essay and still fail an assignment because you did not understand it. Be sure to read your syllabusA guide to a class that includes the instructor's expectations, the topics the class will cover, and the texts that are used. and assignment guideline sheets so that you know what type of essay you need to write. If you wait to look at these until after you finish your essay, you may find that you will need to start the assignment all over again or at least reviseThe process of making changes to a work by editing and proofreading it to improve, correct, and increase clarity. it significantly.
Step 2: Gather ideas.
The next step in developing an essay is knowing what your topicThe subject of a reading. is and gathering ideas about it. It is a good idea to research your topic to gain some ideas of how you want to approach the topic. Then, brainstorm ways to help someone else understand what the term you are trying to define means. OutliningA preliminary plan for a piece of a writing, often in the form of a list. It should include a topic, audience, purpose, thesis statement, and main and supporting points. , freewritingA prewriting technique where the author begins writing without regard to spelling or grammar about ideas, topics, or even characters, descriptions of events, and settings. Often the writer will freewrite for a set period of time. The objective is to develop a storyline through the writing process itself., clusteringA prewriting technique where the author creates an informal visual layout of possible ideas, grouping them together. The objective is to create visual clusters of information on which to base a writing., mind mappingA prewriting technique where the author brainstorms and writes down his or her ideas by grouping and connecting ideas into a type of visual map., and listingA prewriting technique where the author writes down ideas in categorized lists in order to gather ideas. are all good ways to develop ideas. As you gather ideas, try to think in new ways, searching for new and interesting thoughts. Remember, your instructor will want to know how you define your topic, so while reading others' ideas is a good place to start, in the end, it is your definition that counts.
Step 3: Create a working thesis.
After you have gathered some ideas, construct a tentative thesis statementAn early form of a thesis statement that can be developed into a more formal thesis statement by creating supporting details.. Remember, your thesis may change as you write. If all your supporting detailsStatements within a reading that tie directly to major details that support the main idea. These can be provided in examples, statistics, anecdotes, definitions, descriptions, or comparisons within the work. seem to point to a main ideaThe most important or central thought of a reading selection. It also includes what the author wants the reader to understand about the topic he or she has chosen to write about. other than your thesis, feel free to adjust your thesis accordingly. In a definition essay, your thesis statementA brief statement that identifies a writer's thoughts, opinions, or conclusions about a topic. Thesis statements bring unity to a piece of writing, giving it a focus and a purpose. You can use three questions to help form a thesis statement: What is my topic? What am I trying to say about that topic? Why is this important to me or my reader? should include the term, idea, or concept that you are trying to define and the main point that you want to make about it.
Step 4: Develop paragraphs that support your thesis.
Once you have a tentative thesis, you need to support it. Pick one or two of the ideas you created in Step 2 that best relate to your thesis and use them as your major supporting detailsStatements within a reading that tie directly to the work's main idea. These can be provided in examples, statistics, anecdotes, definitions, descriptions, or comparisons within the work.. These will make up the topic sentencesA sentence that contains the controlling idea for an entire paragraph and is typically the first sentence of the paragraph. of your supporting paragraphs. If all the ideas from Step 2 relate equally, consider choosing the ones that you know the most about and that interest you. Writing tends to be easier when you have a better grasp of a topic and enjoy writing about it. Once you have chosen your major supporting details, you may need to do some more brainstorming to develop the minor supporting detailsSmaller statements within a reading that tie directly to major details. for each paragraph. Remember that the overall goal is to show how these ideas relate to the thesis.
Step 5: Write an introduction.
Once you revise your thesis statement so it aligns with the topic sentences in the supporting paragraphs, you are ready to develop your introduction. Begin with an attention-getting hookIn writing, a device used to grab a readers' attention, often in the form of interesting, surprising, or provocative information., give some background on your topic in a general way, and then incorporate your thesis statement into the flow of the paragraph. An introductory paragraphThe first paragraph of an essay. It must engage the reader, set the tone, provide background information, and present the thesis. has many important roles. It must engage the reader, set the toneThe feeling or attitude that a writer expresses toward a topic. The words the writer chooses express this tone. Examples of tones can include: objective, biased, humorous, optimistic, and cynical, among many others. , provide background information, and present the thesis.
Step 6: Revise your essay.
Once you write your introduction, you are ready to revise your essay. Remember that revision involves adding or deleting ideas in each paragraph and possibly reorganizing the order of the paragraphs themselves. You will editThe process of improving a writing by reviewing content and making changes that affect its overall meaning and clarity. and proofreadThe process of carefully searching a writing draft for mistakes at the sentence- and word-level in order to correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes. at the sentence level when you are done revising. To revise your essay, ask yourself the following questions:
- Have I followed the assignment?
(Should my details be more relevant to my topic?)
- Is this a definition essay? Have I defined a term in some way?
(Have I shown how specific details apply to my topic?)
- Does the bodyThe main portion of a writing that contains the main ideas and supporting details of the writing. This is where the author's purpose and thesis statement are supported and/or developed. of the essay support my thesis?
(Are these details factual and pertinent?)
- Is all my support relevant?
(Notice where there are notes to myself to add specifics for relevance.)
- Do I need more or less support?
(Check to add material or delete any details that do not support the thesis.)
- Have I included the transitionsTying two events, passages, or pieces of information together in a smooth way. In writing, transitions are sometimes called links. necessary to guide the reader from point to point?
(Check to improve the transition between the introductory paragraph and paragraph two.)
- Does my introduction hook the reader and provide adequate background and introduction to my topic?
(Is the hook relevant and interesting enough to grab the reader's attention?)
Revising is almost as important as drafting the essay. It is in the revision stage that writers deepen their thinking and refine their writing. If possible, allow plenty of time between drafting and revising so that you bring a fresh view to your draft. This fresh look can help you to spot an unsupported thesis or places where you may have wandered from your main point. This is also the time to check your sources again for accuracy and relevance, and check grammar, spelling, and punctuationMarks such as such as a comma (,), period (.), question mark (?), and exclamation mark (!), among others, that help break a writing into phrases, clauses, and sentences. Different types of punctuation marks give the reader different impressions of the writer’s purpose in that sentence..
+ PRACTICAL APPLICATIONBeing able to define a term or an idea is a critical skill that you will continually use both in your academic and professional careers. In college, being able to adequately describe a new concept is one way that you will demonstrate mastery of a subject to your instructors. If you take a political science class, the instructor will expect you to be able explain various aspects of government in order to successfully complete the course. In a professional setting, defining terms or jargon to people outside of your field will build their confidence in you. For instance, doctors and nurses need to be able to explain illnesses, procedures, or medications with unfamiliar names like "insulin resistance" or "androgenetic alopecia" to their patients. If they cannot, their patients may be confused or go elsewhere for healthcare.
Notice how the steps listed below are followed to develop a three-paragraph essay defining modern-day slavery, including an introductory paragraph.
Step 1: Understand the assignment.
The assignment is to write three paragraphs that define slavery as it exists in the world today. One of the paragraphs needs to be an introduction.
Step 2: Gather ideas.
Thoughts about slavery:
- Many people immediately think of the slavery that existed in the southern part of the United States before the Civil War, but this is not the only type of slavery that exists.
- Other types of slavery: modern day sex slaves; human trafficking; poor people enslaved by debt; people whose need for money enslaves them.
- Being compensated fairly and having personal freedom is not slavery.
Step 3: Create a working thesis.
Here are some possible thesis statements for this assignment:
- While most people think that slavery was abolished in 1865, slavery is still alive, although operating in less obvious ways.
- In the United States, human trafficking is a form of slavery and occurs despite law enforcement's efforts to stop it.
- One reason there are so many slaves today is because they provide cheap labor that brings high economic returns for individuals, groups, and companies.
- With thirty million people in slavery around the world today, the United Nations must take responsibility for enforcing laws of human rights and dignity.
Step 4: Develop paragraphs that support your thesis.
Chosen thesis: While most people think that slavery was abolished in 1865, slavery is still alive, although operating in less obvious ways.
Brainstorm results for "modern slavery":
- Child labor
- Bonded labor
- Debt bondage among migrant workers
- Adopted "maids" and mail-order brides
If the topic about adopted "maids" and mail-order brides, a type of slavery called "domestic servitude," is the focus of your essay, look for details that support the concept of involuntary labor as being a form of slavery. Make a list of your ideas as you read for both contentThe text in a writing that includes facts, thoughts, and ideas. The information that forms the body of the work. and approaches. Here are some suggestions:
- Countries with and without policies regarding involuntary servitude.
- A compelling story of one person's experience.
- Specific statistics and facts that outline the scope of the problem.
- Adopting children with the intent to use them as slaves.
- Purchasing brides from another country with the intent to use them as slaves.
Now write one or two supporting paragraphs.
The overwhelming majority of the millions of migrant domestic workers forced into labor are women and girls. They hope to migrate from developing countries to first-world countries. According to a report from the United Nations and the United States Department of State, domestic workers typically work without contracts or legal protection. These factors become worse when combined with the hardships these enslaved workers face. Because the migrants live behind closed doors, it is not always possible to know what is going on or how to protect these workers from abuse.
Sometimes the "employer-owners" punish their domestic servants. For other migrants, who feel the desire to find better economic opportunities, they are sometimes offered free travel to another country but through illegal methods. Then, because they came to a country illegally, these women often risk becoming forced labor victims. The U.S. government has even set up safeguards for foreign workers because it recognizes that this is a form of slavery. Unfortunately, the system does not always work, especially if the women immigrated to the country through illegal channels.
Step 5: Write an introduction.
The introductory paragraph below begins with a real anecdoteA brief, interesting story that writers often use to demonstrate a point within a work. of someone forced into involuntary servitude. This story and the information following it will provide readers with the necessary context they will need in order to understand the thesis. It also provides an engaging hook for the essay.
A European couple and their three children waited at the airport to welcome the 15-year-old girl arriving from a poor country. They told her that she would go to school and take care of the children. Instead, she worked from 5 a.m. until late at night and then slept in a cubbyhole. She received no schooling and was told payment was put in the bank for her. After 12 years, she discovered that no payments were ever made. With difficulty, she found help to leave this situation and start her life over. This is just one girl's story of a life of involuntary servitude—a very real form of slavery. While slavery is outlawed today in every country, it is still prevalent and often hidden so that it is difficult to correct. Unfortunately, it is only through stories of people escaping this type of slavery that the great harm it causes can be exposed. With 30 million people in slavery around the world today, the United Nations must take responsibility for enforcing laws of human rights and dignity.
Step 6: Revise your essay.
To revise your essay, ask yourself the following questions:
- Have I followed the assignment?
(Should my details be more relevant to current forms of slavery?)
- Is this a definition essay? Have I defined a term in some way?
(Have I shown how specific details apply to the general topic of slavery?)
- Does the body of the essay support my thesis?
(Are these details factual and pertinent?)
- Is all my support relevant?
(Notice where there are notes to myself to add specifics for relevance.)
- Do I need more or less support?
(Check to add material or delete any details that do not support the thesis.)
- Have I included the transitions necessary to guide the reader from point to point?
(Check to improve the transition between the introductory paragraph and paragraph two.)
- Does my introduction hook the reader and provide adequate background and introduction to my topic?
(Is the story of the young girl interesting enough to grab the reader's attention?)
Once you have revised your essay, be sure to edit and proofread at the sentence and word level, checking for correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Read the essay below, and see how it was improved from the earlier versions above. Place your mouse over each highlighted word or sentence to see explanations for the revisions.
A couple and their three children waited at the airport to welcome the 15-year-old girl arriving from . She was prepared to go to school and take care of the children. Instead, she worked continuously from 5 a.m. until late at night and then slept in a cubbyhole. She received no schooling and was told payment was put in the bank for her. After 12 years, she discovered there was no payment made. With difficulty, she found help to leave this terrible situation and start her life over . This is just one girl's story of a life of involuntary servitude—a very real form of slavery, for slavery applies to any situation in which a person is not in control of his or her life. While slavery is outlawed today in every country, it is still prevalent and often hidden in informal workplaces.
While slaves in the early Americas generally were limited to those from Africa, today the overwhelming majority of the migrant domestic workers forced into labor are women and girls from a variety of second- and third-world countries. They start out hoping to migrate from unstable situations in developing countries to first-world countries where they believe that life can be better. According to the 2013 report from the United States Department of State, as well as the United Nations "Trafficking in Persons Palermo Protocol" (2010), domestic workers typically work without contracts or legal protection. These factors become worse when combined with the hardships these enslaved workers face that include . , it is difficult for regulating bodies to make inspections. Because of these circumstances, it's not always possible to know what is going on or how to protect these workers from abuse.
who . Other migrants who wish to find better economic opportunities are sometimes offered free travel to another country but through illegal methods. Then, because they came to a country illegally, these women often risk becoming forced labor victims. While the U.S. government has set up safeguards to try and protect these women so that all payment mechanisms are transparent and administered fairly, the system does not always work if the women came through illegal channels. They may be blackmailed when they try to report the abuse to law enforcement agencies. For these .
Follow the steps listed below to develop a three- to four-paragraph essay defining love. Be sure to include a thesis and an introductory paragraph.
Step 1: Understand the assignment.
What is the assignment?
The assignment is to write three to four paragraphs that define love. One of the paragraphs needs to be an introduction.
Step 2: Gather ideas.
Brainstorm ideas that come to mind about the topic.
First thoughts about love:
- Dictionary definition: an intense feeling of deep affection.
- My grandparents were married for over fifty years.
- I just read a story about a couple who met in college and were engaged to marry. The guy was injured in a car crash and now must use a wheelchair. His girlfriend decided to go through with the wedding and now is his primary caretaker.
- A past boyfriend said that he loved me but then he cheated on me.
- I think I heard some research that couples in arranged marriages are happier in their marriages and less likely to divorce.
- I have a two-year-old child that I love very much even though I don't get much sleep and he gets into so much trouble.
Step 3: Create a working thesis.
What would be a working thesis for this assignment?
Thesis: True love is not a feeling. It is a decision that one must make each and every day.
Step 4: Develop paragraphs that support your thesis.
Write at least two paragraphs supporting the working thesis statement.
Many romantic films begin with a cute moment, a moment when the couple-to-be interacts and foreshadows the love that will develop quickly, likely in less than a week. However, this is not an accurate depiction of love. In fact, it seems that strong romantic feelings are not a great indicator of marital happiness. Instead, it is the commitment that people bring to a marriage that is better at foreshadowing marital happiness.
Parenting also demonstrates that love is less about feelings and more about decisions. Most parents love their children. This seems like an obvious statement, but a closer examination of parenting will demonstrate how amazing it is that parents actually do love their children. From the moment their first child is born, parents get little sleep, change endless diapers, and spend hours feeding, bathing, and caring for their little baby. It is not a glamorous position, but parents still love their children, even when their children cannot or do not respond in kind.
Step 5: Write an introduction.
Write an effective introductory paragraph.
The Beatles famously declared, "All you need is love... Love is all you need." However, true love is not a feeling. It is a decision that one must make each and every day.
Step 6: Revise the essay.
Put all the paragraphs together, then revise the essay.
The Beatles famously declared, "All you need is love...Love is all you need." However nice this may sound, true and enduring love is not a feeling. It is a decision that one must make each and every day.
The 2003 film, Love Actually, tells the story of how several different couples came to fall in love. There is a heartbroken British author who falls for a Portuguese housekeeper in France in just a matter of days, despite not speaking the same language. He goes back home to London, enrolls in Portuguese lessons and then returns to propose. In the meantime, she has learned to speak English and is able to accept his proposal with a resounding "Yes!" We are left to believe that the couple will live "happily ever after" and have a bunch of beautiful children.
As cute as this story may be, it is not an accurate depiction of love. In fact, it seems that people's feelings before marriage are not a great indicator of marital happiness. Psychologist Robert Epstein conducted a number of studies that compared couples in India who married for love to couples who were in arranged marriages. These studies showed that, at first, those who married for love had much stronger feelings than those who had arranged marriages. However, over time, those who married for love felt that their love tended to decrease, while the love in arranged marriages tended to increase. Surprisingly after ten years, the love felt in arranged marriages was twice as strong as those who married for love. When it comes to love, it seems that strong romantic feelings are not a great indicator of marital happiness. Instead, it is the commitment that people bring to a marriage that is better at foreshadowing marital happiness.
Parenting also demonstrates that love is less about feelings and more about decisions. Most parents love their children. This seems like an obvious statement, but a closer examination of parenting will demonstrate how amazing it is that parents love their children. From the moment their first child is born, parents get little sleep, change endless diapers, and spend hours feeding, bathing, and caring for their little baby. It is not a glamorous position, but parents still love their children even when their children cannot or do not respond in kind.
When might you need to write a definition essay?
I think that I might need to write a definition essay in any class with unfamiliar terms like sociology, political science, or criminal justice. I also think that I might need to include aspects of a definition essay into other essays where I might need to explain a concept before I develop an essay around it.
Why should you avoid using the dictionary definition in a definition essay?
Instructors want to see that I understand an idea. If I give them the dictionary definition, all I show my teacher is that I can look up definitions and not that I know what a term or idea is.
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