How to write a Definition Essay

Definition Essay is a personal, but academic definition of one particular word. The description of this word must be long and very thorough.
There is no doubt that this word should be very interesting so that you can write a lot of information about it. The purpose of writing Definition Essay is to teach students to give definitions to words competently and maximally deployed.
Below is a series of tips on how to write a good Definition Essay.

In the beginning there was a word...

No, it's not about the Bible. Simply you need to choose a complex word with an abstract meaning. If this is a simple word, like a "rabbit", you simply will not be able to write enough about it. The concept of Definition Essay implies the use of a word that denotes an idea, not a person, an animal or an object. Because the idea will give more material to study.
The essay about the rabbit can be very funny and interesting, but maybe boring. However, if we move on to something more abstract, for example, to the word "outskirts", we immediately have a large space for reflection.

The word you choose should be controversial. For example, it must mean different things to different people.
If we recall the definition of an essay, then we will understand that it is subjective. In the essay, you analyze and define the word from your point of view. It is very important that the description of the word be unique so that it does not coincide with the description of the same word from another student. Otherwise, the teacher will decide that your essay lacks depth.
Choose only the word that you are familiar with. For example, if you do not know what "sophisticated" is, do not use this word in your work. You must have your own knowledge of this word so that your definition is as unique as possible.

Read the dictionary definition

Do not think that you need to rely only on the definition of the dictionary. But familiarity with the official definition is useful. So you will compare your understanding of the meaning of the word with its scientific explanation.
The definition of the dictionary will give you food for thought. This is information from which you will start. For example, in a dictionary, such definition of the word "criminal" is written: "One who has committed something unauthorized, banned or harmful to anyone or anything." You have your own beliefs and ideas about who the criminal is. However, you should rely on the basic definition.

Interview your friends

In order to make it easier for you to make a detailed description of your word, we offer you the following exercise. Ask each of your friends or parents to give their definition of this word. Write down each definition.
Then answer the following questions:
1. What definition did most of the people you interviewed give?
2. What definitions are beneficial?
3. What definitions are disadvantages?
4. What is the difference between the values?
5. Is there a correlation between these values?
6. What is in common between the definition of the dictionary and the definition your friend gave you?
7. Is there anything in common in the definitions given by one group of people (for example, women, men, young people, elderly people).
In addition to the survey and the dictionary, you can use other sources:
1. The Internet;
2. Television;
3. Books;
4. Journals;
5. Questionnaires on social networks.

The origins of words also matter

Do not forget to read the meaning of the word in the Oxford English Dictionary. This is an etymological dictionary that describes the origins of a word, its history. It says that this word meant earlier, what it means today. All this is useful additional information for your essay.

Do an in-depth analysis

In the main part of the essay, you need to analyze the selected word. Analyze each part of it in a separate paragraph.
For example, the word "relationship" can be divided into two words: "relation" and "ship".
In order to analyze each part of the word, use classification and negation. But remember that this principle is suitable only for words that contain several parts. For example, the word "like" cannot be divided.
Then carry out the classification of the term. You must specify which classes and parts of speech belong to the word according to the definition of the dictionary.
An unknown term you can compare with a known. For example, not everyone knows the word "campaigner". It means a person who serves in the house (butler) or means a person who participates in the election campaign. Conduct explanations using concepts that are accessible to the common man.

Compose the structure of the essay

In the first part of Definition Essay, place the standard definition from the dictionary.
Next, specify your own definition, so that the reader can compare it with the standard definition, find similarities and differences.
Next, describe the origin of the word, conduct its classification and analysis.
The next part should be devoted to analyzing your definition of this word. You need to divide the parts of the definition into separate paragraphs. Create a complete picture of this term.
In the last paragraph, summarize and draw a conclusion.
When Definition Essay is ready, do not forget to check it for grammatical and spelling errors.