When defining a complex term, it is crucial to articulate precisely what the word or phrase means. Effective definitions are particularly valuable in essays that revolve around abstract concepts, such as love.
McCuen-Metherell, Jo Ray, and Winker Anthony C. (2006, 2010,2013) Reading for Writers (14th Edition) Boston, MA: Student edition
Kimmy Hughes
Krystal Scavo
Max Leicht
Floating topic
Chapter 12: Definition
To define a complex term properly, you may need to practice a combination of techniques: You may have to cite examples, analyze etymology, and/or provide a lexical definition.
Clarify your definition by stating what the word is not or does not mean.
Begin your definition by saying what a term means.
Expand your definition with examples.
Expand your definition, if necessary, with an etymological analysis of the term.
Definition means spelling out exactly what a word or phrase means.
Definitions are especially useful, then, if your essay hinges on one of these disputed abstractions. (ex. love)
