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Definition Essay

A definition essay or an extended definition is a type of an expository essay frequent in both academic and non-academic worlds. The main purpose of this written piece is to explain an object or an idea in a clear and exhaustive way and to instruct the reader on how to make the object’s name or the idea fit different linguistic styles and thematic contexts. Therefore, the most appropriate approach to a definition essay is to regard is as a combination of a descriptive paragraph and a users’ manual.

What is the difference between a descriptive and a definition essay?

Unlike a descriptive essay, which purpose is to demonstrate the subject’s uniqueness important to the writer on a personal level, a definition essay has little space and is less tolerant to the writer’s individual biases. To fulfill its goal of explaining and instructing, a definition essay has to stay neutral and to deliver credible and precise information, which will remain useful for the reader across subject topics and areas of application. A definition essay does not mean to persuade or deceive; moreover, the presence of a biased argument might mislead the reader and result in an inappropriate use of the word.

What are the research techniques?

Considering the purpose of “explaining and instructing”, the writers have to perform a preliminary research of the object or idea they are trying to define and to make sure that their own understanding of the phenomenon is correct. Otherwise, the writer will be able neither to deliver a clear explanation nor to support it with examples, facts, details, which will enable the reader to process the information. The more abstract and complex is the object or idea, the more accurate should be the definition, and the more support elements would be necessary to make it “come to life” for the reader. Two main research techniques that are helpful to prepare for writing a definition essay are observation and investigation.
Many of the objects of definition can be observed in real life. Passive or active interaction with the subject of a definition essay in the natural environment will give the writer additional details about the subject and will add fresh and unexpected examples that can be later used as supporting elements. Investigation, on the other hand, requires a more serious and active approach to learning about an object or an idea by consulting with the expert or practicing professional, exploring historical background of the subject, searching for recent publications, or even engaging into a small-scale experimental project. The reward for these efforts will be a profound multidimensional image of the subject that the writer intends to define.

What are the writing techniques?

There are five writing techniques that are especially helpful for writing a comprehensive definition essay: definition, description, comparison, analysis, and evaluation. The techniques are listed in the order of their appearance in the text.

A simple and concise definition the subject of an essay introduces the reader into the topic and allows him/her to establish a basic level of familiarity with an object or an idea. The definition part of the essay might be expanded by the inclusion of quotations from the research or literary sources, testimonials of the witnesses (and the author him/herself as one of them), and so on. In addition, the definition should place the subject into a larger class or category, so that the reader can relate it to something that s/he already knows. However, it is important to make sure that the larger category/class is reasonably simple and familiar to the reader. Otherwise, the reader has to relate one unknown subject to another unknown one.
Next, the description adds specific details that characterize the object or idea the writer tries to define. Each detail can be supported by explicit examples and instances of the subject’s occurrences, physical features, influences on the surrounding environment, and other elements that allow the reader to “visualize” it.

With the help of comparison the writer demonstrates to the reader, in which ways the object or the idea are similar to other objects and ideas in their class/category and what are the major differences that put them apart from the rest of the class/category. In addition to categorical comparison, the writer can use simple and well-known subjects to clarify for the reader what the subject of the essay “is” like and what it “is not” like. All the comparisons have to be straightforward and reasonable: the reader will not appreciate random and irrelevant associations. 
The purpose of analysis is to demonstrate what the subject consists of: it breaks the subject into smaller separate steps, parts, and elements, and shows how they work together to form one whole object or idea. The analysis can demonstrate the historical progress, current status quo, and the future subject’s development.

Evaluation plays the role of a conclusion in a definition essay: it states the value of knowing the subject for the reader. The conclusion summarizes the definition of the subject in a condense manner by restating the answers to what, when, where, why, how, and to what extend questions.   

Is there a place for introduction and conclusion?

The writer might choose to frame a definition essay with traditional introduction and conclusion by adding personal remarks, by claiming his/her individual position toward the subject, or by highlighting specific characteristics of the subject. However, even in this case, the introduction and conclusion should adhere to the purpose of the essay and should not mislead the reader or impose unnecessary bias.

Is referencing necessary?

References are an element of the writer’s courtesy toward the authors of the sources s/he used to write the essay: it is a way to show respect and appreciation to people who put an effort into creating new knowledge. In addition, references are a consideration of the reader’ interests: they open an opportunity for more in-depth reading on the subject. Therefore, the writer is responsible for proper referencing all informational sources.   

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