The definition essay defines something, perhaps a particular word or idea. It is often a combination of the cause and effect, the descriptive, the narrative, the process, and the comparison / contrast essays, all working together to create a complete definition of a multifaceted subject.
Let’s say you are taking a test, and on the test you are asked to define the word “feminism.” A dictionary, for example, defines the word feminism as “the theory of political, economical, and social equality of the sexes.” There is nothing wrong with this definition, but it does not give the reader a complete understanding of the word because it does not include the connotation of the word–the added meaning that society gives a word over time. Many people, for instance, think of feminists as outspoken and assertive, yet this is not part of the dictionary definition.
To write a successful definition essay you must share all the knowledge you have obtained on the subject. In order for the reader to have an absolute understanding of the word “feminism,” you may want to start with the history. From that point you could tell about the men and women who saw the need for equality, and finally how feminism affects us today.
Features
1. When selecting a subject, remember that most words or ideas have many different meanings. Do not hesitate to explore and use those meanings. A word as simple as “dark” can refer to what happens to the sky when the sun goes down, a shade of a color, the presence of evil, or a person’s mysterious side.
2. After choosing the subject you want to define, and carefully considering all of its meanings, organize all of your thoughts in the order that would best convey the message you want to get across to the reader. An outline works best for this step.
3. Decide what style of essay you want to use. If you are breaking your definition into parts, the process method may be your best choice. If you are defining by comparing your subject to another, comparison and contrast may be your approach. You will find the longer your definition is, the greater the chances are of using several of the techniques of writing an essay.
4. Avoid defining a word by quoting the dictionary. Example: Webster’s dictionary says …
5. Avoid defining with “is when” and “is where.” These adverb phrase introducers only describe words, rather than define them.
