Paper # 3: Definition Approach
Lecture Notes and Specifications for Paper # 3’s Assignment
What is the purpose of taking a ‘definition’ approach to writing? When a topic requires you to explore a subject that may require specialized vocabulary and that vocabulary needs a fuller, extended, thorough defini-tion that goes beyond what one can find in a dictionary. You must re-main neutral in this paper. Do not allow your paper to devolve into an opinionated rant. The purpose is to define, not to argue.
Read Chapter 13 in Back to the Lake (BTTL) textbook pages 465-466. This describes what writing is in a definition approach. As these pages point out, ’ripped’ and ‘ripped off’ are quite different definitions. There are literal definitions from the dictionary; this is denotation. Stop now and find this term in the Glossary/Index section of BTTL. See the note below if you want a reminder how to find this in the textbook. Another type of definition is connotation. Stop now and find this term in the Glossary/Index section of BTTL. Because connotation is influenced by cultural, emotional, political, personal, and other associations, further defining a term will be filtered through these elements. The connotation of a term is powerful and provides context.
When you explore a word about which you will write your Essay # 3: Defini-tion Approach, you must consider the denotative and the connotative meanings/definitions. One tip for writing a Definition essay is to pretend you must define or explain a word / concept for a student who is just now learning English and may have never before heard the word or does not know the concept.
Because you worked through the Library, Research, MLA 9 Discovery Pro-ject, you will be equipped to find quality sources in the BPCC databases, then cite and document your sources. As you know, you must give credit to any information you get from another source. One source you must use is the Oxford English Dictionary; it is the only dictionary to use in this class because it is in the BPCC Databases.
At this point, students may be thinking, “Why are we not studying all of the examples in our textbook?” That’s a great question, and there is a simple answer. Most of the examples in your textbook do not follow the standards for this class and for formal collegiate writing. For example, most use the first and the second person, and that is generally not acceptable for some formal college writing for approaches. Your textbook, however, does give you some fantastic tips on prewriting, planning, organizing, and revising / editing a Definition essay.
Assignment Specifications for Paper # 3: Definition Essay
* You will choose and define one of the following words in a denotative manner. For this essay, you must locate a denotative definition in the Oxford English Dictionary and at least one other approved academic sources from the BPCC Databases.
fascism
gerrymander
nationalism
* In addition, you will define the word in a connotative manner. You will provide context for what the word means in a less literal manner. In oth-er words, what is implied by the word? To discuss this type of definition, you will provide examples that demonstrate the true meaning of the word in reality. You must remain neutral in this paper. Do not allow your paper to devolve into an opinionated rant. The purpose is to define, not to argue.
* For this paper, you will use only the third person point of view. The only exception is when you include a direct and cited quote from one of your sources that uses the first and/or second person.
* The thesis statement for this essay may be a little trickier to create be-cause your purpose is to define denotatively, connotatively, and identify specific examples to demonstrate the meaning of the term. To keep your essay organized, your thesis statement will feature three points/claims. Some people have formed their thesis statement something like this: ‘Fascism’ can be defined denotatively and connotatively through historical examples: Hitler’s regime and current trends in the United States .
* Two research sources are required: you must use the Oxford Eng-lish Dictionary and another BPCC database source that is scholar-ly. The other source(s) may not be an encyclopedia, a periodi-cal/magazine, or other non-scholarly source even if it is in the BPCC databases. All sources must come from the BPCC databases and the Works Cited source entries must contain the PermaLink URL.
* You will complete the Simple Outline for Essay # 3. And, you will com-plete and upload the Self-reflection Review on your rough version using the form provided in this week’s Module.
* Pay attention to eliminating the Pitfalls to Avoid errors and keep a formal tone in the essay. Remain neutral; this is not an argument. You are not siding with or siding against the term; you are simply defining the term.
* The paper will be at least 500 words, typed in Times New Roman 12-point font, black in, and will be double-spaced throughout. The exact MLA header and pagination will be used. MLA 9 citation and documentation will be used.