Organizing Your Definition

Other preliminary notes

1. Have your definition in mind before you even begin writing the introduction. Even if you have your definition begin the final paragraph, you should know the definition the whole time. You can always revise it as you go.
2. Organization:
   1. Introduction: Begin by explaining the stakes and end w/ the thesis.
   2. Example Paragraphs: Discuss various aspects of your paper and thesis that provides evidence to convince your readings.
   3. Conclusion: Wrap up and summarize.
3. Transitions are the key to clear definition essays. Transitions make your essay cohere; they turn a bag of ideas into a real argument: an intricate claim whose parts relate to one another and altogether attempt to answer all the pertinent questions, not merely take up enough space.
   • Two types of transitions
     • Intra-paragraph transitions, or “transitional phrases:”
       • Google this phrase and look at the bevy of options you have (therefore, as a result, nonetheless, indeed, for example, for instance, moreover, also, of course, naturally, etc)
       • Use these phrases at the beginning of sentences inside any paragraph.
       • They should bridge the logical gap between any two adjacent sentences.
     • Inter-paragraph transitions, or “transition sentences:”
       • The first sentence of every single body paragraph, as well as the first sentence of the conclusion, will be a transition sentence to transition your reader from one paragraph to the next.
       • You should craft each transition sentence individually.
     • Most of the time, you will transition from the main idea of paragraph A to the main idea of paragraph B.
       • Sometimes, you use a significant word in the last sentence of paragraph A, add the word “this” in front of it, and use this phrase as the subject of the first sentence of paragraph B.
       • Other times, the transition sentence will explain that that the topic of paragraph A causes or is caused by paragraph B, the topic of paragraph B adds to or complements the topic of paragraph A, the topic of paragraph A leaves some kind of question to be answered that paragraph B will answer, the topic of paragraph A might mistakenly lead you to think something that paragraph B will correct, etc.
       • The trick is that you must locate the logical relationship between the two paragraphs and point our this relationship to your reader. This relationship should help you create your transition sentence.
       • It’s like a map: you don’t just go from Potter Street to Highway 322; the directions will tell you to “turn left,” “merge right,” or “take exit 32.”
4. Topic sentences keep you and your reader focused. Each body paragraph needs to have with a topic sentence after the transition sentence. This topic sentence should tell the reader the main idea of that paragraph. When you draft, make sure you have them! You can’t leave your reader without them, or s/he won’t understand what the paragraph proves. It’s like leaving a can unlabeled: you can’t use it because you don’t know what it’s for.
5. You should address counterarguments at multiple places in your argument: within paragraphs, as well as in your intro, first body paragraph, or last body paragraph. (Counterarguments should address both major problems with the main thesis and any potential problems with particular points inside the body paragraphs. Address counterarguments concerned with the thesis in a paragraph of its own, either as the first body paragraph or the next-to-last body paragraph. Address the other counterarguments in one to three sentences at the place in the essay where the audience would think of the counterargument.)
6. Each definition paper will require a one to three �mini� definitions. Make sure you and your readers share the same definition of the key words in your definition. (Look at your thesis: have you defined the most important words in it?) Try to write at least one full paragraph that provides a mini-definition.
   • Report Webster’s definition, as well as your reaction to it. Do you think that Webster’s adequately defines it? If so, then give examples of situations when a person successfully exhibits that characteristic or behavior. If not, explain
   • Look at the OED if you have time, for the history of a word can suggest meanings that have gone out of style but need reconsideration. (Oxford English Dictionary: go to the library’s webpage under “reference materials.”)
   • Give plenty of examples!
   • Explain what this word is NOT; compare it to its antonyms as well as to its synonyms. Isolate the word from the concepts that almost explain it, but not quite.
7. You have choices about how you present the thesis. First, you can give use the final thesis in its most sophisticated form at the end of the introduction, then recap it for us (using different phrasing) in the conclusion. Second, you can give us a provisionary thesis (a really simple version of your thesis) at the beginning, then give us the final thesis at the end. Third, you can create a “program statement” that explains your intentions for the essay, your goal.
   • Examples of program statements
     • “Before I can turn myself into an effective counselor, however, I must understand thoroughly what an effective counselor is.”
     • “Can we really feel satisfied with these mere stereotypes? We must, in short, create a new understanding of trauma nursing.”
     • “Although I have just explained the significant impact Mrs. Collins made on my life, I have not yet given you an adequate explanation of what made Mrs. Collins such a fantastic English teacher—an explanation that the rest of the essay will give.”