How to Write an Extended Definition Essay
- Choose the right term. You will be given a short list of terms that you associate with various experiences and...
- Extended Definition Essay Outline - Plan your work. First, make a short extended definition outline. This will help you...
- Refer to particular situations. It would be good to stay within the limits of an abstract...
- Etymology – explaining origin of the word itself.
- History – if relevant, discussing the history of the term/its use/controversies associated with it.
- Cause and Effect – discussing how the situation came about and what effects it may have.
What is an extended definition essay example?
Extended definition essay example is a type of essay that provides a comprehensive explanation of a term. Thus, while specific objects may be defined easily and have a single meaning, there are abstract terms that require a wider description.
What are the four types of extended definitions?
There are four forms of extended definitions namely; the historical definition, the definition by elimination, the definition by example and illustration, and definition by enumerating the part of an object or the factors that produced a particular effects. Giving a definition is an important thing to consider especially when writing an exposition.
What is an extended definition of grammar?
Richard Nordquist is a freelance writer and former professor of English and Rhetoric who wrote college-level Grammar and Composition textbooks. In a paragraph, essay, or speech, an extended definition is an explanation and/or illustration of a word, thing, or concept.
Why do writers make extended definitions?
There are reasons why extended or informal definitions are made by writers. One is that when the writer thinks or fells that the real definition of a particular term is distorted in the minds of the public, here extended definition is needed as replacement for the real defition.
How do you make an extended definition?
11 techniques for writing extended definitionsEtymology: Explaining origin of the word itself.History: If relevant and helpful for explaining the term, discussing the history of the term/its use/controversies associated with it.Cause and Effect: Discussing how the situation came about and what effects it may have.More items...
What are the three types in making definitions?
When writers are trying to explain an unfamiliar idea, they rely on definitions. All definitions attempt to explain or clarify a term. This lesson will introduce you to the three different types of definitions: formal, informal, and extended.
How do you define extended definition?
An extended definition is a one or more paragraphs that attempt to explain a complex term. Some terms may be so important in your report, there may be so much confusion about them, or they may be so difficult to understand that an extended discussion is vital for the success of your report.
What are the essential parts of extended definition?
Assignment 2: Extended Definition. This assignment consists of two parts: (1) an extended definition and (2) a memo. An extended definition is a detailed clarification of an object, mechanism, process, or concept.
What is an example of an extended definition?
An extended definition is illustrated in the following example, the beginning of a definition of friendship: Friendship is a state of acquaintance between or among people characterized by a strong bond of shared concern and caring. In true friendship the bond is mutually shared.
What are the 4 types of definition?
(1) Definition by synonym; (2) Ostensive definitions; (3) Stipulative definitions, and. (4) Analytical definitions. The appropriateness of a definition is measured by its usefulness.
What are the types of expanded definitions?
Techniques of Extended DefinitionEtymology – explaining origin of the word itself.History – if relevant, discussing the history of the term/its use/controversies associated with it.Cause and Effect – discussing how the situation came about and what effects it may have.More items...
What are the two techniques of definition?
We introduce two kinds of definition: definition relative to an approximate theory and second order structural definition and apply them to defining mental qualities.
Which of the following best defines expanded definitions?
Which of the following best defines “expanded definitions”? It is the process of combining words. It defines and explains deeper the meaning of words.
What is the differences of three writing techniques of concept paper?
A concept paper may be explained using different methods of paragraph development, namely: definition, explication, and clarification. Definition is the method of describing a given concept and making its meaning clear by means of giving a description, examples, and illustrations.
What is an extended definition?
In a paragraph, essay, or speech, an extended definition is an explanation and/or illustration of a word, thing, or concept. Randy Devillez in "Step by Step College Writing" says that an extended definition can be "as short as a paragraph or two or as long as several hundred pages (such as a legal definition of obscene ).".
What does Barbara Fine Clouse mean by extended definition?
Barbara Fine Clouse explains that an extended definition can also serve a persuasive purpose. "More often than not, an extended definition informs. Sometimes you inform by clarifying something that is complex.... A definition can also inform by bringing the reader to a fresh appreciation of something familiar or taken for granted....".
What is an extended definition essay?
Extended Definition Essay Example. A definition essay is a type of essays that provides a comprehensive explanation of a term. In the broad sense of the word, you need to write an essay to define one or another issue from your personal perspective. Yes, you can look the word up in a dictionary and provide its precise definition.
Why is it so difficult to write a definition essay?
To simply write a definition essay is complicated because every person has a different perception. The only way to capture the meaning of an issue is to experience it, dig deeper into an issue or find someone who could help with it.
How to transition from break to work?
Just squeeze in an hour or two each day for completing some tasks – to read a book or write an essay. And certainly, don’t forget about your interests and hobbies – dancing, blogging, swimming, yoga, painting, or music.
Can you look up a word in the dictionary?
Yes, you can look the word up in a dictionary and provide its precise definition. Thus, while some specific terms may be defined easily as they have a single meaning, there are some abstract terms that require a wider description based on personal perception.
What is extended definition?
An extended definition goes beyond what can be found in a dictionary, offering an expanded analysis and illustration of a concept that might be abstract, controversial, unfamiliar, or frequently misunderstood.
How to write a word essay?
If you work well with lists, write the word at the top of the paper and fill the rest of the page with all the things that the word makes you think of , feel, see, or even smell, without stopping. It's OK to go off on tangents, as you might find a surprising connection that could make a powerful, insightful, or even humorous essay. Alternatively, brainstorm by writing the word in the middle of your paper and connect other related words to it and each other.
What is abstract concept?
Abstract concepts, including many of the broad terms in the list that follows, need to be "brought to earth" with an example to relate what they mean to your reader and to get your point or opinion across. You could illustrate the concepts with anecdotes from your personal life or examples from the news or current events, or write an opinion piece.
Is a first draft a prewriting exercise?
It's possible that your first draft turns out to be prewriting and leads to a better idea that can be developed further and can possibly even incorporate the prewriting exercise. Time spent writing is time spent exploring and is never wasted, as sometimes it takes a bit of pursuit to discover the perfect idea.
What is extended definition?
Extended Definition <ul><li>Extended Definition defines and explains a single term, concept or object </li></ul><ul><li>Pins down the meaning of a specific word, or defines an abstract concept </li></ul><ul><li>Goes deeper than a simple dictionary definition. </li></ul>. 6.
What is technical writing?
1. Technical Writing: Extended Definitions <ul><li>Effective Communications for Programmers and the Grammatically Challenged </li></ul>. 3.
Why is extended definition needed?
There are reasons why extended or informal definitions are made by writers. One is that when the writer thinks or fells that the real definition of a particular term is distorted in the minds of the public, here extended definition is needed as replacement for the real defition. Another is that it is used in removing confusions as well as ...
What is formal and extended definition?
The Use Of Formal And Extended Definition In Writing. When it comes in writing an exposition, it is very important that the readers knows what the writer or the author is talking about. In here, it shows the importance of the definition, it is the kind of exposition most naturally to begin with. There are two main types ...
What are the two types of definitions?
There are two main types of definition namely; the logical or formal definition and the extended or informal definition. The logical and the extended definition differ from their own way and purpose. The logical or formal definition is considered as the dictionary definition.
What are the types of errors that occur when constructing a logical definition?
There are certain types of errors usually occur when constructing a logical definition. One is when the term being defined is included in the defining part; this could make the definition as circular one. Second is by giving a negative definition to a particular term, this should not be done unless some of its idea are considered as an essential ...
Why is it important to give definitions?
Giving a definition is an important thing to consider especially when writing an exposition. Before a writer or an author say about something, he or she must give emphasis with regards to the definition of that particular thing in order to guide the readers what the composition is all about.
What is an extended definition?
An extended definition explains what the word means to the writer and may allow a reader to see the word differently. Choose details that help readers understand the word’s denotation (literal) meaning as well as its connotation (associated) meaning.
How to begin a definition?
To begin your definition use specific examples to illustrate your definition, but be sure that your examples are ones that the reader (s) can relate to. You might use synonyms, give examples, discuss the word’s origins, develop comparisons, tell what the word is not or create an anecdote to show the word in action.
What is a dictionary?
Dictionary Definitions A dictionary will provide you with a definition of a word. There are various types of dictionaries that give specialized information about words and concepts. Some dictionaries provide different forms of the word and may even tell the history or derivation of the word’s meaning.

Examples
Observations
- "An extended definition may explain the word's etymology or historical roots, describe sensory characteristics of something (how it looks, feels, sounds, tastes, smells), identify its parts, indicate how something is used, explain what it is not, provide an exampleof it, and/or note similarities or differences between this term and other words or t...
Introduction to An Extended Definition: Family
- In "The Death of Adam: Essays on Modern Thought," Marilynne Robinson points out that "We are all aware that 'family' is a word which eludes definition, as do other important things, like nation, race, culture, gender, species; like art, science, virtue, vice, beauty, truth, justice, happiness, religion; like success; like intelligence. The attempt to impose a definition on indeterminacy and …
An Extended Definition of Damned
- In the film, "Cold Comfort Farm," actor Ian McKellen plays the part of Amos Starkadder, who says: "You're all damned! Damned! Do you ever stop to think what that word means? No, you don't. It means endless, horrifying torment! It means your poor, sinful bodies stretched out on red-hot gridirons in the nethermost, fiery pit of hell, and those demons mocking ye while they wave cooli…
Composing An Extended Definition of Democracy
- "Sometimes,...particularly when we are thinking seriously about a complicated concept, such as democracy, we use a definition as the basis for an entire theme; that is, we write what may be called an extended definition," says Cleanth Brooks and Robert Penn Warren in "Modern Rhetoric."
Purposes of An Extended Definition
- Barbara Fine Clouse explains that an extended definition can also serve a persuasive purpose. "More often than not, an extended definition informs. Sometimes you inform by clarifying something that is complex.... A definition can also inform by bringing the reader to a fresh appreciation of something familiar or taken for granted...."
Sources
- Brooks, Cleanth and Robert Penn Warren. Modern Rhetoric. Abridged 3rd ed., Harcourt, 1972. Clouse, Barbara Fine. Patterns for a Purpose: A Rhetorical Reader. 3rded., McGraw-Hill, 2003. Devillez, Randy. Step by Step College Writing. Kendall/Hunt, 1996. McKellen, Ian, actor as Amos Starkadder in “Cold Comfort Farm.” BBC Films, 1995. Reid, Stephen. The Prentice Hall Guide for …