How to explain what a term means.

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Writing Definitions

• How to explain what a term means.

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When do writers define terms?

• Writers define the words or concepts that the
  audience may not fully understand.
• For example, animal rights protestors hold up
  signs saying Fur Is Murder.
• After all, to the animal rights protestors,
  choosing to wear furs means that harmless animals
  must be killed.

Does this fellow define cruelty to animals?
3
What are the simple definitions?

• There are three kinds of easy dictionary
  definitions that require a sentence or two.
• Synonym definitions supply a simpler word that
  means the same thing.
• Class definitions place a term in a broad group
  and give a differentiating detail.
• Negation definitions begin by telling what a term
  isnt before saying what it actually is.

Are matters really improved?
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Can you match terms to synonyms?

• Simple explanation
• relating to rural life
• the obvious meaning
• to act maliciously
• to be divided
• to be embarrassed
• to make a mistake
• the female hero
• to be determined

• Difficult term
• __1. blunder
• __2. chagrined
• __3. dichotomy
• __4. literal
• __5. malevolent
• __6. rustic
• __7. hell-bent
• __8. heroine

What is the cat looking for?
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Here are the synonym matches

• Simple explanation
• relating to rural life
• the obvious meaning
• to act maliciously
• to be divided
• to be embarrassed
• to make a mistake
• the female hero
• to be determined

• Difficult term
• _f_1. blunder
• _e_2. chagrined
• _d_3. dichotomy
• _b_4. literal
• _c_5. malevolent
• _a_6. rustic
• _h_7. hell-bent
• _g_8. heroine

What kind of definition is this?
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Can you use class definitions?

• Defining term
• __1. bilingual
• __2. banana
• __3. shark
• __4. prude
• __5. ethanol

Classification a. carnivorous fish with a top
fin b. speaking two languages c. too worried of
being proper d. gas made from alcohol e. long,
yellow fruit with white pulp
And you thought it was Winnie the Pooh!
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Here are the classification matches

• Defining term
• _b 1. bilingual
• _e 2. banana
• _a 3. shark
• _c 4. prude
• _d 5. ethanol

Classification a. carnivorous fish with a top
fin b. speaking two languages c. too worried of
being proper d. gas made from alcohol e. long,
yellow fruit with white pulp
Defining future cars?
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Can you define by negation?

• Defining term
• __1. hero
• __2. freedom
• __3. wisdom
• __4. grade
• __5. profession

Beyond negation a. beyond simply knowingits
about making differences for others b. more than
just braveits taking care of even everyday
matters well c. above the level of a mere
jobits about a position in a great career d.
beyond just doing what you wantits about making
great choices e. not merely a certain levelits
about the quality that goes in
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Here are the negation matches

• Defining term
• _b_1. hero
• _d_2. freedom
• _a_3. wisdom
• _e_4. grade
• _c_5. profession

Beyond negation a. beyond simply knowingits
about making differences for others b. more than
just braveits taking care of even everyday
matters well c. above the level of a mere
jobits about a position in a great career d.
beyond just doing what you wantits about making
great choices e. not merely a certain levelits
about the quality that goes in
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What is extended definition?

• More complicated ideas like free speech or
  self-esteem can require more developed
  explanations.
• Extended definitions can be developed in many
  ways, such as by using
• Descriptions
• Explanations
• Comparisons
• Examples

Hows this for free speech?
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How is this extended definition developed?

• Throughout history, the word love has been the
  basis for much bloodshed. In early Greek
  literature, love-based violence is apparent.
  Sophocles Antigone depicts violence all caused
  by the love a sister had for her brother. The
  Romans love for their culture empowered many wars
  and battles, all to claim more of the world. The
  Trojan War was fought for the love of Helen of
  Troy. In religion, the Spanish inquisition forced
  everyone to love the Catholic God. The
  Conquistadores, in search for riches and new
  land, imposed their love of the Catholic
  religion on the Aztecs. The Aztecs loved their
  God so much that they murdered human beings daily
  in his honor. The Mayans, loved the ball game so
  much that the losers were sent up for sacrifice.
  Even today, men find the women that they love
  cheating on them and the result is murder.

Which mode of development is used? ? 1.
description 2. explanation 3. comparison 4.
example 5. cause and effect 6. contrast
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How the extended definition is developed

• Throughout history, the word love has been the
  basis for much bloodshed. In early Greek
  literature, love-based violence is apparent.
  Sophocles Antigone depicts violence all caused
  by the love a sister had for her brother. The
  Romans love for their culture empowered many wars
  and battles, all to claim more of the world. The
  Trojan War was fought for the love of Helen of
  Troy. In religion, the Spanish inquisition forced
  everyone to love the Catholic God. The
  Conquistadores, in search for riches and new
  land, imposed their love of the Catholic
  religion on the Aztecs. The Aztecs loved their
  God so much that they murdered human beings daily
  in his honor. The Mayans, loved the ball game so
  much that the losers were sent up for sacrifice.
  Even today, men find the women that they love
  cheating on them and the result is murder.

Which mode of development is used? ? 1.
description 2. explanation 3. comparison 4.
examples 5. cause and effect 6. contrast
In a one-page paper, explain the term health,
education, or leadership.