關(guān)于definition作文寫法（課堂PPT）

1、1Definition 下定義下定義2DefinitionPurpose TypesOrganizationDevelopment (writing strategy)3What is definition?Definition means establishing limits or marking boundaries of a subject. Definition is a method of making explicit the meaning of a word, phrase, or term. It gives clear and distinct facts about s

2、omething.A definition is the enclosing of a wilderness of ideas within a wall of words.A definition is the effort to distinguish an entity from all other things for the purpose of being able to recognize it or in some way to understand it Definition is a writing technique which explains a complex te

3、rm or the writers personal understanding of a word.4Purpose To avoid confusion or misunderstanding of some symbols or ideas.To explain or characterize certain concepts, subjects, ideas, or theories to the reader5Classification -1 1. Simple definition2. Extended definitionClassification -21. Formal (

4、standard) definition2. Informal( personal) definition3. Extended definitionClassification -31. Logical definition: 2. Descriptive (extended) definition6In the simplest sense, to define a word is to show what class or group the word belongs to and then point out the basic features which distinguish i

5、t from other members of the same group.The term to be defined = The class the term belongs to + The characteristics of the term 被定義詞被定義詞=種種 +屬差屬差 eg. To define: SISU, classroom, water, brunch, happiness, love, beauty. Simple definition:formal, personal, logical7HappinessHappiness is a state of well-

6、being and contentment, a pleasurable or satisfying experience -Merriam-Websters Online DictionaryHappiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. -Mahatma GandhiHappiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of ones values. - Ayn RandHappi

7、ness is something that you are and it comes from the way you think. - Wayne Dyer Happiness is essentially a state of going somewhere, wholeheartedly, one-directionally, without regret or reservation. William H. SheldonHappiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human e

8、xistence. - AristotleHappiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude. -Denis Waitley8Rules observed when giving a definitionTo avoid circular definition “Economics” is the study of the economy. “Economics” is a science of the production and distribution of

9、 goods.To avoid too broad definition An “automobile” is a means of transportation. An “automobile” is a car used as a means of transportation.To avoid too narrow definitionA poem is two or more rhymed lines written to express an idea, mood, or emotion.A poem is a piece of writing in verse form expre

10、ssing deep feeling or noble thought in beautiful language. 9Extended definitionsimple definition + supporting details 1. additional information 2. physical features 3. functions 4. symptoms 5. details and examples 6. origins eg. 10 A “l(fā)iberated woman” is simply a woman who controls her own life rath

11、er than allowing it to be controlled by other people, traditions, or expectations. A “l(fā)iberated woman” can be found pursuing any line of work, including housework, or no work at all. She may or may not be married; she may or may not have borne children. She may belong to any race; she may have attai

12、ned any age. She may be poor or wealthy, educated or illiterate. She need have only one trait in common with her “l(fā)iberated sisters”: she makes her own choices, whether they be the colors on her walls or the advanced degrees she seeks. She acts of her own volition, responsible to herself, and not ou

13、t of fear of what her mother, lover, or neighbor might say.11A pencil is an implement for writing, drawing, or marking. Usual pencils have four parts: a wooded case, a solid rod of graphite or other marking material, a small eraser, and a piece of metal fixing the eraser to the wood. The wooden case

14、s of most pencils are either round or hexagonal (六邊形的) with rounded edges. Inside the wooden case, there is a solid rod of marking material which gives the pencil its special writing characteristics. At the end of the wooden part, there is small colored eraser for erasing unwanted writings. The eras

15、er is fixed to the main part by a colored piece of metal. Although the length, weight and color differ from one pencil to another, the usual length and weight are 25cm and 50g. The shape of the pencil allows it to fit easily in the hand when it is correctly held between the thumb and fingers, and to

16、 fit in the pocket when it is carried.12 A Hacker originally refers to a person who chops or cuts roughly and irregularly with a hatchet斧頭. But with the wide- spread application of computers to various aspects of our life and work, it has assumed a new meaning. A Hacker now is a computer user who is

17、 able to use or change the information in other peoples computer systems without their knowledge or permission. Many Hackers are very talented people who have acquired computer knowledge all by themselves.13Organization of a composition of definitionOpening: introduction + thesis statement=topic + o

18、pinion the term to be defined your definition of the term / How you will define the term Introduction A. Hook 1. You may want to include the traditional definition at the beginning of your essay to provide a basis for your personal definition. 2. You may want to open with a contradictory image to wh

19、at would be your image to illustrate that definition. B. Thesis State how you define the term. If you can write the definition using specific points, you will find the definition easier to follow when writing the paper. 14The idea of HopeSome says that “what oxygen is to the lungs, such is hope to t

20、he meaning of life”. So keep hope. But what is hope? Dictionary tells us that hope is “an expectation which has little or no chance of fulfillment” (p.1267, shorter Oxford English Dictionary). This definition almost means that hope is the moon in water or flowers in mirror which would not be likely

21、to become reality. Yet, it can also mean something else. for me, hope isHow does the writer hook the audience?15Thesis statement: definition/how-toRestrict the meaning of your definition at the very beginningAs a word or a concept might have a variety of meanings, you should limit the meaning accord

22、ing to the specific purpose of your essay in the beginning part. A frequently used way is to stipulate the meaning by yourself to fit in with the purpose of whole essay.Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of ones values. - Ayn RandHappiness is something that

23、you are and it comes from the way you think. - Wayne Dyer Happiness is essentially a state of going somewhere, wholeheartedly, one-directionally, without regret or reservation. William H. SheldonHappiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence. - AristotleHa

24、ppiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude. -Denis Waitley16The developmental paragraphs As the definition essay is a combination of almost all types of expository writing, you can choose any type of the following patterns or a combination of them to de

25、velop the body of your essay.17 The origin of the word (love) is probably the most logical place to start. As with many words in the English language, love is a derivative of the Latin word causemajoraproblemus which means Youre miserable when you got it and miserable when you dont. The word was cre

26、ated to explain the biological phenomenon that existed when certain individuals came into contact with each other and either remained together or went about their lives separately. Regardless of the outcome, the relationship was usually characteristic of throat lumps, knotted stomachs, weak knees, t

27、emporary loss of language, sweaty palms, dizziness, sneezing, and occasional nausea. Belligerent insanity also resulted. History clearly illustrates this. Can we ever forget the face that launched a thousand ships? Federally expressing Van Goghs ear? The construction of Le Tour Eiffel? All of these

28、were results of love and love lost. Define a term by citing its origin and development (the terms derivation, original meaning, and usages)18 Star-crossed lovers have stated that love is not hand nor foot nor any part belonging to a man. Matrimonial ceremonies also claim that love is not jealous or

29、boastful. Let it be stated here that love also is not a gourmet dish, a domesticated animal, or a latest trend. Love is not a strategic defense mechanism nor the best kept secret at the Pentagon. Love is not another seasoning to bottle and stick on the dust-lined shelves of the spice rack. Love is n

30、ot to be confused with adhesive tape. Define a term by using negation (telling what it is not)19Poverty is getting up every morning from a dirt- and illness-stained mattressPoverty is being tired.Poverty is dirtPoverty is staying up all night on cold nights to watch the fire knowing one spark on the

31、 newspaper covering the walls means your sleeping child dies in flames.Poverty is asking for help.Poverty is remembering.Poverty is looking into a black future.Poverty is an acid that drips on pride until all pride is worn away. Define a term by using enumeration (listing its characteristics)20 A ma

32、p is a conventional picture of an area of land, sea, or sky. Perhaps the maps most widely used are the road maps given away by the oil companies. They show the cultural features such as states, towns parks, and roads, especially paved roads. They show also natural features, such as rivers and lakes,

33、 and sometimes mountains. As simple maps, most automobile drivers have on various occasions used sketches drawn by service stations men, or by friends, to show the best automobile route from one town to another.Define a term by classification21 Maps have been used since the earlier civilizations, an

34、d explorers find that they are used in rather simple civilizations at the present time by people who are accustomed to traveling. For example, Arctic explores have obtained considerable help from maps of the coast lines showing settlements, drawn by Eskimo people. Occasionally maps show not only the

35、 roads, but pictures of other features. One of the earliest such maps dates from about 1400 BC. It shows not only roads, but also lakes with fish, and a canal with crocodiles and a bridge over the canal. This is somewhat similar to the modern maps of a state which show for each large town some featu

36、res of interest or the chief products of that town.Define a term by illustration (giving examples)22 The distinction usually made between “maps” and “charts” is that a chart is a representation of an area consisting chiefly of water, while a map represents an area that is predominantly land. It is e

37、asy to see how this distinction is arose in the days when there was no navigation over land, but a truer distinction is that charts are specially designed for use in navigation, whether at sea or in the air.Define a term by using analogies23lWhen you define a device ( multimedia), an event ( nationa

38、l sports meet for college students), or a concept ( market economy), you need to explain what the device does, how the event takes place, or how a procedure is carried out. All this requires using process analysis to better clarify the particular meaning for the reader. e.g., If you essay is about “

39、 happiness”, you should not just define what happiness is, you should also explain how to be happy.Define a term by using process analysis24lIt is apparently very necessary to distinguish between parenthood and parentage. Parenthood is an art; parentage is the consequence of a mere biological act. T

40、he biological ability to produce, to conceive, and to give birth to a child has nothing to do with the ability to care for that child as it requires to be cared for. It is highly desirable that parentage should not be undertaken until the parenthood has been learned. Parentage is often irresponsible

41、 whereas parenthood is responsible. Parentage at best is irresponsibly responsible for the birth of a child while parenthood is responsible for the development of a human being-not simply a child, but a human being. It can thus be stated that parenthood is the most important occupation in the world.

42、Define a term by using comparison and contrast25Define a term by using cause and effectAs might be expected, researchers have offered many theories concerning the cause of crib death. Dr. R. C. Reisinger, a national cancer Institute scientist, has linked crib death to the growth of a common bacteriu

43、m, E. coli, in the intestines of newborn babies. The organisms multiply in the intestines, manufacturing a toxin that is absorbed by the intestinal wall and passes into the bloodstream. Breast milk stops the growth of the organism, whereas cows milk permits it. Therefore, Dr. Reisinger believes, bot

44、tle-fed babies run a higher risk of crib death than other babies.26Define a term by using negationlMany people think that a nurse is a smiling woman, in a white uniform and cap, whose main job is to take temperature for a patient and change his or her bedpan in the hospital. However, this stereotype

45、 is not correct. Todays nurses are both male and female. They are trained professionals who offer comfort and assistance to people who are ill or who are experiencing great physical or mental stress. They work in hospital bedrooms and in operating room. They also help people institutions and provide

46、 professional home care27Define the term maturity by making a list of the characteristics of the maturity. Define the term maturity by negation.By illustration (eg. of mature & immature peoples behavior)Define the term maturity by analogy.Is maturity equal to sophistication or worldliness? How t

47、o judge whether a person is mature or not? Is maturity judged by the age, social status or the degree of success of a person? How to achieve maturity?Class exercise Discussion: the definition of maturity28 Maturity is the ability to control anger and settle differences without violence or destructio

48、n.Maturity is patience. It is the willingness to pass up immediate pleasure in favor of the long-term gain.Maturity is perseverance, the ability to sweat out a project or a situation in spite of heavy opposition and discouraging set-backs.Maturity is the capacity to face unpleasantness and frustrati

49、on, discomfort and defeat, without complaint or collapse.Sample thesis29 Maturity is humility. It is being big enough to say, I was wrong. And, when right, the mature person need not experience the satisfaction of saying, I told you so.Maturity is the ability to make a decision and stand by it. The immature spend their lives exploring endless possibilities; then they do nothing. Maturity means dependability, keeping ones word, coming through in a crisis. The immature are masters of the alibi. They are the confused and the disorganized. Their lives are a maze of broken promises