University ABDELHAMID IBN BADIS, MOSTAGANEM

Faculty of Foreign Languages

Department of English

Written Expression for Second Year English Degree (LMD)

Developing Paragraphs by Defining
Sources
Anker, S (2001) Real Writing with Reading
Scarry, S and Scarry, J (2002) The Writer’s Workplace with Readings

What is ADefinition Paragraph?

This paragraph develops ideas by exploring the meaning of a term
There is more than one technique to reach an understanding of a concept.
1. Class: The normal starting point for a definition is to put the word into a wider group,
category or class. Consider the following dictionary entry for the word family,

 To what wider class does the word family belong?

 What is the next step provided by this dictionary to clarify the meaning of family?
 What is the main function of a dictionary? Does it go into greater depth to explain the
significance of a given word?
If you need to expand your definition, in order for your reader to understand a difficult
word or idea, you will use an extended definition. The latter may involve,
 A historical approach: when and how did the concept begin? How did the word evolve
through time?
 A cultural perspective: how do different cultures interpret the term?
Read the text below, and then answer the questions:

 How does the author begin this definition?

 Whom does the writer identify then?
 How can family relationships be formed?
 The writer employs an extended definition. What does it explore?
 Identify the different sentence types in the paragraph above.
 Suggest a terminator to the paragraph.

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Exercise1: Place the words below in a wider category. Use the dictionary if necessary.
E.g. Chemistry a science
1. Bicycle [term+class] ........................................
2. Cabbage [term+class] ........................................
3. Democracy [term+class] ........................................
4. Poetry [term+class] ........................................
5. University [term+class] ........................................
Exercise 2 Give one or two identifying features that distinguish each term above from
other terms in the same category.
E.g. Chemistry is a science that studies the structure, properties, and reactions of matter.
1. Bicycle [term+class+detail].............................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
2. Cabbage [term+class+detail].............................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
3. Democracy [term+class+detail]......................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
4. Poetry [term+class+detail].............................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
5. University[term+class+detail].....................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
2. Negation
Before giving a complete definition to the term, the writer could have started by a negation:
 A family is not a corporation, but it is an economic unit of production and
consumption
 A family is not a formal school, but it is a major centre for learning
Exercise 3 Define the terms below by using negation
1. A disability [term+isnot+expecteddefinition+but+more precise definition]..................
......................................................................................................................................
2. Drugs [term+arenot+expecteddefinition+but+more precise definition]..................
......................................................................................................................................
3. Freedom [term+isnot+expecteddefinition+but+more precise definition]..................
......................................................................................................................................
4. A good job [term+isnot+expecteddefinition+but+more precise definition]..................
......................................................................................................................................
5. A boring person [term+isnot+expecteddefinition+but+more precise definition]...........
......................................................................................................................................
3. Synonym/ Basic Definition
Consider the structure of the following definition paragraph

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 - Double-underline the topic sentence
- The topic sentence of this definition paragraph follows the pattern:
Word+is defined as/means+basic definition
Fill in the gaps below
Concept =………………………………………
Basic definition=……………………………………………………………..
- The supportin a definition paragraph comprises details that readers grasp what you
mean by the word. Underline and identify the main details in this paragraph.
Exercise 4 Write the definition statement using the pattern
[term+means/is+synonym/ basic definition]
1. Construction..................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
2. Confidence.................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
3. Conservation...............................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
4. Vacation.....................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
5. Globe.........................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
The following list of transitional verbs may help you writing your definitionpargraph
is……………….
is defined as……………….
means that……………
is sometimes to be thought to be…………….
signifies……………
refers to……………..

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The following steps are also worth considering when you develop a paragraph by definition
1. Write a topic sentence including the term and a basic definition. Do not just copy the
dictionary (or any other reference book) definition. Try to personalize it. For example,
 Word+Transitionalverb+Class+Detail= Topic sentence
 Word+Transitional verb+not+expected definition+but+more precise
definition= Topic sentence
 Word+Transitionalverb+synonym/ basic definition= Topic sentence
2. Support your definition with details (other characteristics, examples, facts, stories,
historical perspective, cultural approach….)
3. Select the details to support your paragraph best;drop any useless information.
4. Compose your terminator: a sentence that reminds the reader of the concept and its
meaning and/or makes an observation based on the details given.
5. Finally, check if there are any spelling mistakes or other errors in your resulting
paragraph.
Exercise 5 List three details (characteristic, examples, facts…) that you could employ
to clarify each of the definitions below
1.Insomnia means sleeplessness.
a. Hard to fall asleep.
b. Wake up in the middle of the night.
c. Wake up without feeling rested in the morning.
2.Confidence is feeling that you can conquer any obstacle.
a. …………………………………………………………………………………………
b. …………………………………………………………………………………………..
c. ………………………………………………………………………………………….
3.A true vacation is not just time off from week.
a. …………………………………………………………………………………………
b. …………………………………………………………………………………………..
c. ………………………………………………………………………………………….
4.A family is a group you always belong to, no matter what.
a. …………………………………………………………………………………………
b. …………………………………………………………………………………………..
c. ………………………………………………………………………………………….
Assignments
1. Write a definition paragraph by using more than one technique you have seen in
class (negation, example, story, fact..)- as well as any further analysis, historical
or cultural. Choose from one of the following topics.
Science a. Ecology b. Algebra c. Photosynthesis
Everyday Life d.Justice e. Success f. Courage g. Discrimination
College h. Learning i. Cheating j. Plagiarism

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 Written Expression for Second Year English Degree (LMD)
Developing Paragraphs by Defining (KEY ANSWERS)
1. Class
The normal starting point for a definition is to put the word into a wider group, category or
class. Consider the following dictionary entry for the word family,

 To what wider class does the word family belong?

According to this dictionary entry, the family is the most basic of social groups.
 What is the next step provided by this dictionary to clarify the meaning of family?
Once a word has been put into a larger class, the next step is to provide the identifying
characteristics that make the word different from other members of that class.
 What is the main function of a dictionary? Does it go into greater depth to explain the
significance of a given word?
When writing a paragraph by definition, the dictionary entry is only a beginning. It is not the
function of a dictionary to go into great depth.
If you need to expand your definition, in order for your reader to understand a difficult word
or idea, you will use an extended definition. The latter may involve,
 A historical approach: when and how did the concept begin? How did the word evolve
through time?
 A cultural perspective: how do different cultures interpret the term?
Read the text below, and then answer the questions:

 How does the author begin this definition?

The author begins this definition by putting the term into a larger class. Family is one type of
social relationship among people.
 Whom does the writer identify then?
The writer then identifies the people who are members of this group.
 How can family relationships be formed?
Family relationships can be formed by marriage, birth, adoption, or custom.
 The writer employs an extended definition. What does it explore?
The extended definition explores the functions of the family, conflicts in the family, the
structure of the family, and the special characteristics of the family.
 Identify the different sentence types in the paragraph above.
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Topic introducer: “In every society,...kinship ties”
Topic sentence: “A family..., or adoption”
Sentence developers1&2: “We think...(...,perhaps)
Sentence developer3: “Family relationships...the adoption of a child”
 Suggest a terminator to the paragraph.
Terminator: Therefore, marriage, birth and adoption are three essential elements that can
gather individuals into one group, family.

Exercise 1 Place the words below in a wider category. Use the dictionary if you need
Help.
E.g. Chemistry a science
6. Bicycle [term+class] VEHICLE
7. Cabbage [term+class] VEGETABLE
8. Democracy [term+class] BELIEF
9. Poetry [term+class] LITERATURE
10. University[term+class] GROUP (of dpts)

Exercise 2 Give one or two identifying features that distinguish each term above from
other terms in the same category.
E.g. Chemistry is a science that studies the structure, properties, and reactions of matter.
6. Bicycle [term+class+detail]a vehicle that is two –wheeled and moved by turning the
two pedals.
7. Cabbage [term+class+detail] a large round vegetable with green, white or purple
leaves.
8. Democracy [term+class+detail]belief in freedom on which a government system is
based.
9. Poetry [term+class+detail]poems in general as a form of literature.
10. University[term+class+detail]a group of departments at which individuals study for a
degree.
4. Negation
Exercise 3 Define the terms below by using negation
6. A disability [term+isnot+expecteddefinition+but+more precise definition] is not a
physical incapacity but it is a psychological handicap.
7. Drugs [term+arenot+expecteddefinition+but+more precise definition]is/are not
medicine but is/ are (a) vulnerable substance(s)
8. Freedom [term+isnot+expecteddefinition+but+more precise definition]is not a waste
of time but it is a right to express oneself.
9. A good job [term+isnot+expecteddefinition+but+more precise definition] is not only a
well-paid employment but it is also a well surrounded occupation.
10. A boring person [term+isnot+expecteddefinition+but+more precise definition]is not
stupid but he is an uninteresting individual.
5. Synonym/ Basic Definition
Consider the structure of the following definition paragraph

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 - Double-underline the topic sentence
- The topic sentence of this definition paragraph follows the pattern:
Word+is defined as/means+basic definition
Fill in the gaps below
Concept =Assertiveness
Basic definition=standing-up for your rights – politely but firmly
- The supportin a definition paragraph comprises details that readers grasp what you
mean by the word. Underline and identify the main details in this paragraph.
Exercise 4 Write the definition statement using the pattern
[term+means/is+synonym/ basic definition]
6. Constructionmeans building (synonym)
7. Confidencerefers to trust (synonym)
8. Conservation is preservation of animals, plants and buildings.
9. Vacationmeans holiday (synonym).
10. Globe is the world map.
Exercise 5 List three details (characteristic, examples, facts…)
2.Confidence is feeling that you can conquer any obstacle.
d. …………………………………………………………………………………………
e. …………………………………………………………………………………………..
f. ………………………………………………………………………………………….
3.A true vacation is not just time off from week.
d. …………………………………………………………………………………………
e. …………………………………………………………………………………………..
f. ………………………………………………………………………………………….
4.A family is a group you always belong to, no matter what.
d. …………………………………………………………………………………………
e. …………………………………………………………………………………………..
f. ………………………………………………………………………………………….
Assignments Write a definition paragraph
Science a. Ecology b. Algebra c. Photosynthesis
Everyday Life d.Justice e. Success f. Courage g. Discrimination
College h. Learning i. Cheating j. Plagiarism