Students in high school and college are expected to write essays – by the time you graduate college or university, even if you aren’t in the humanities, you will have written dozens at the absolute minimum. No matter what style of essay you are asked to write, the basic structure and form never changes, but the tone and approach may be vastly different. Knowing what to expect and how to approach a specific style of essay is a skill worth honing.
Hearing the term ‘definition essay’ will likely bring to mind short dictionary entries, and you aren’t that far off base. A definition essay is a much expanded definition of a term or a concept. But while dictionary definitions are short, succinct and very objective, when you write a definition essay you will be expected to write longer, involved and subjective definition, one that draws on your own beliefs and views, as well as on your personal experiences.
In a definition essay, you can go more deeply into the definition, examining the complexities and interpretations of the word, drawing comparisons to similar words, or exploring contrasts to opposite words. You can tell a story, share an anecdote, and use your own experiences to share your interpretation of the concept.
The word you are asked to define might be something concrete and physical, such as house or forest, or something more vague or abstract, like home or wilderness. You are not only invited, but expected to explore the concept far beyond the scope of a dictionary definition.
When you set out to write your definition essay, make sure that you know what the word means, both as formally defined and to you personally. Take some time to really think about it and make some notes before you start writing.
Introduce the term to your audience, and supply the dictionary definition, or a variance of it, as you start, and then make sure that you give an overall sense of how you will be defining it in your thesis statement. Use a personal approach so as to engage your reader and not be overly academic, exploring fully your definition as you interpret it, and supporting your definition with anecdotes and stories. Be sure to conclude with a repeat of your thesis statement.
Essay Writing
Hearing the term ‘definition essay’ will likely bring to mind short dictionary entries, and you aren’t that far off base. A definition essay is a much expanded definition of a term or a concept. But while dictionary definitions are short, succinct and very objective, when you write a definition essay you will be expected to write longer, involved and subjective definition, one that draws on your own beliefs and views, as well as on your personal experiences.
In a definition essay, you can go more deeply into the definition, examining the complexities and interpretations of the word, drawing comparisons to similar words, or exploring contrasts to opposite words. You can tell a story, share an anecdote, and use your own experiences to share your interpretation of the concept.
The word you are asked to define might be something concrete and physical, such as house or forest, or something more vague or abstract, like home or wilderness. You are not only invited, but expected to explore the concept far beyond the scope of a dictionary definition.
When you set out to write your definition essay, make sure that you know what the word means, both as formally defined and to you personally. Take some time to really think about it and make some notes before you start writing.
Introduce the term to your audience, and supply the dictionary definition, or a variance of it, as you start, and then make sure that you give an overall sense of how you will be defining it in your thesis statement. Use a personal approach so as to engage your reader and not be overly academic, exploring fully your definition as you interpret it, and supporting your definition with anecdotes and stories. Be sure to conclude with a repeat of your thesis statement.
Essay Writing
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