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The Extended Definition of a Value
This project is an extended definition of a value
requiring several examples and extensive detail.
def-i-ni-tion (def’ e-nish’ en) n 1. The
act of defining a word, phrase or term 2. The act of making
clear and distinct 3. A determining of outline, extent, or
limits.
Consider the following guidelines to success as you
write your definition essay: make your essay personal, vigorous,
stimulating, memorable. Choose a value you strongly support or
strongly negate and have a strong interest in. Include each and every
component listed on the grade sheet as required.
Types of Definitions Traditionally Used in Definition
Essays
The true "extended definition" helps clarify the
meaning for your reader, so your project will employ each of these
traditional types of defining:
• Denotation/Connotation •
Comparison/Contrast
• Analysis
• Description
• Classification
• Negation/Differentiation
• Origin/Etymology
• Cause/Effect
• Function
• Narration/Illustration
• Synonyms
Definition Essay Process
Complete the following fifteen (15) steps in the
process of collecting details for your definition essay:
1. Select a VALUE that you plan to investigate.
The VALUE should have some interest, importance, or meaning to you
personally. Example: Individual rights, Individualism.
2. Begin by writing down a few simple statements
about your word: "Individualism is..."
Give the surface meaning -- what everybody assumes it
to mean.
3. Now record the word’s dictionary definition and the
source of the information.
4. Classify your word:
Part of Speech: non, verb, adjective, adverb
General Type: character trait, political term,
value, kind of value (i.e. paramount), religion, literary term etc.
Connotations: the "emotional" meanings that
come to mind, the meanings we "argue" about
5. Trace the etymology -- Look at the source of
the word or concept, e.g. leader: the word lead comes from the Anglo
Saxon "laedan" or "lithan" meaning "to travel or go," and so a leader
can be described as one who determines a way of traveling or going.
6. Function (process): explain what the value
"does" or how it works
7. From a thesaurus, make a list of between 10 and 20
words that have similar meanings.
8. Comparison/Contrast: Comparison: relate it
to something in its class which is similar. Use analogy -- relate it
to something that comes from another class, yet still bears
instructive similarities, perhaps in a simile or metaphor.
Contrast: tell what a word is not -- i.e. serious argument is not
name calling or mere rationalizing.
9. Cause and effect -- explain what causes it or what
effects it brings about.
Effect/cause example: Stress is the body’s nonspecific
response to any demand made upon it.
10. Differentiate:
a. Write our a series of negative definitions:
(Individualism is not...)
b. Make a list of subtle and borderline comparisons:
(Individualism may seem similar to freedom, but..)
11. Illustrate: Include at least two extended
examples which illustrate the word:
a. sermonillustrations.com b. inspirationalstories.com
12. Include at least five quotes that others have
made about your value choice. Include the name and location of the
quote (i.e. Thomas Jefferson observed in Thoughts about Government,)
13. Discover and include at least three Supreme
Court cases that further establish the value as accepted or
negated by the American judicial system - Copy and
paste.
http://lawcrawler.findlaw.com/scripts/lc.pl?entry=individualism&sites=findlaw
In the first search box, enter your value; in the
second, enter US SUPREME COURT
Write the name of the case, the decision, the court,
and a summary of what the Court heard and why it ruled the way it did.
SC cases are underlined.
General site address:
http://supreme.lp.findlaw.com/supreme_court/resources.html
14. Include a printed example of at least ONE
political, editorial cartoon to lend further support or negation
to your value.
This site is a good place to start:
http://www.jeff-macnelly.com/jeff-macnelly-pulitzer.htm
Here’s another site:
http://www.ucomics.com/tomthedancingbug/index.phtml
And other archived sites, cartoons archived by topics:
http://www.geoffhook.com/archive/topics.html
http://www.globecartoon.com/chapp/index.html
http://politicalhumor.about.com/cs/cartoonsites/
15. After your research, determine a particular thesis
or main idea about your word. This sentence will be the FIRST SENTENCE
that will introduce your project.
Thesis pattern: _______________ (term) is not merely
_____________ (surface meaning), but rather, it is
____________________________ (set up your entire discussion).
Example: Love is not just an emotion or feeling that
too soon changes, but rather, the act of choosing to do what is in the
best interest of the loved one "over the long haul" despite the cost
to oneself and without expecting anything in return. |