ACEWLectureDefinition

1、Topic/TitleLecture 7DefinitionTeachingAims/ObjectivesStudents learn what the definition is and how to develop the ability to write definition essaysTeaching Points1. What is definition? 2. Nature of definition 3. Types of definition4. Methods of definition 5. Strategies for writing a definition essa

2、yTeaching MethodsDiscussionTime Allowance80 minutesTeaching ProceduresI. What is definition?Definition is in fact a form of expository writing. It is a very important form, for to define something is certainly to explain it, and very often in order to explain one must first define. So a definition i

3、s 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 may deal either with words or with things, that is, the definition is concerned with apple as word or with apple“ as thing. Some definitions focus our

4、attention chiefly upon the thing, no matter whether we call it apple, pomme, or Apfel. This kind of definition attempts to give, as best it can, accurate, factual information about what an apple is, in some particular frame of reference. It is often concerned with the analysis of the thing, with its

5、 constituent parts, their nature, function, and purpose. It describes the thing in relation to other things. It is called real definition by philosophers and logicians. In contrast, other definitions stress the word or the word-thing relationship. Either they call our attention to how a word has bee

6、n used in the past, or else they explain-by whatever the process-what words mean. This is called nominal definition .II. Nature of definitionThe purpose of providing definitions to develop essay content is to explain the meaning of a word or term in order to make a point. In writing a definition, yo

7、u try to answer basic questions: What does it mean? and What is its special or true nature? Such an essay will give more than the sentence definition that is found in the dictionary. It involves extended definition which goes far beyond the concise, formal definition that appears in a dictionary. It

8、 explores the nature of something, including the aspects, significances, nuance田微差异, or complexities that are not part of what a dictionary takes in. It supplies supporting information such as examples, descriptions orcomparison and contrast.Some essays that provide definitions are serious efforts t

9、o 川ustrate certain type of person or a certain trait显著的特点,特性) (freedom, well-educated person). Other essays may be humorous. The approa you take will depend on your topic, your purpose for writing, and your thesis statement.III. Types of definition1. Consensual 同感的) definitionA writer states the com

10、mon public definition of the term, what it means by the consensus of its users in the same culture.2. Stipulative (规定的)definitionA writer may assign to a word a meaning more precise or in some other way slightly different from that which it commonly has, for clarity and for convenience.3. Normative

11、(标准的)definitionThe user gives a word a meaning and asserts that he will always use it with that meaning and that so should everyone else, for it an it alone is the proper meaning.IV. Methods of definitionSince there is no one correct" method to define a word or thing, we must say that it all de

12、pends upon one's reader and purpose. In other words, the writer may use any method or combination of methods known or devisable so long as he efficiently brings his reader to understand what something is or what a word means.1. AnalysisFirst, place a word in a large class called the genus and th

13、en differentiating the word from other members of that class.( genus and differentia) Second, listing the most important characteristics of the thing.( division into parts)-Semantics, or semasiology, is the study of the meaning of words.2. SynthesisOne relates the thing-to-be -defined to something a

14、lready familiarto the reader or listener. It often reveals the thing-to-be-defined as part of some larger whole. It might also be called relational definition". For example:-Blue: the color of the sky on a cloudless day.3. Negative definitionThe negative definition is to define a thing by makin

15、g clear what is not.-Electricity is not a thing like St. Paul s Cathedral; it is a way in which things behave.4. ExemplificationExemplification is definition by example, which often appears as an aid to definition by analysis or by synthesis, for one of the best way to define something is to give on

16、e or more examples of it. For example:-Anyone who has ever ridden on a railroad train knows how rapidly another train flashes by when it is traveling in the opposite direction, and conversely how it may look almost motionless when it is moving in the same direction.5. SynonymsAlmost as familiar as d

17、efinition by example is definition by synonyms. Dictionaries often define words by listing synonyms of the word-to-be-defined. This method has the advantage of being brief, but unless it is accompanied by some other method of definition, it runs the risk of misleading the reader, for no two words me

18、an exactly the same thing, and, quite often, approximation are not good enough. This method is useful , if the purpose is simply to clarify the meaning of a word or term in passing. For example:-It would therefore appear as if the idea of congruence, or metrical equality, of two portions of space- -

19、.V. Strategies for writing a definition essay 1. Establishing the writing purpose and tone The purpose of an essay that uses definitions is usually to inform or to persuade.A straightforward definition of the word conservation, for instance, or a humorous definition of boredom will inform readers ab

20、out the meaning of the term. A definition of freedom can be written to persuade readers to support your viewpoint.The purpose you establish for your definition will influence the details you are going to choose. For example, you decide to define fear and wish to give your readers a fresh look on thi

21、s feeling by persuading him or her to believe the fear is really a positive emotion. Such a purpose might lead you to note that fear is adaptiv e适应的 because it ensures our survival. You might also note instances when we would endanger ourselves needlessly were it not for fear. If, however, your purp

22、ose is to inform the reader that fear is a psychological state every person experiences, and of the behaviors then you might include details related to such behaviors and objective description of fear.Just as your purpose in writing will vary, so will your tone. A strictly informative definition wil

23、l generally assume a detache d 不含个人偏 见的),objective tone. ( Apathy (缺乏感 tf 或兴趣,冷漠)is an emotional state characterized by listlessnes蜷怠,冷漠,情绪低落 and indifference.) By way of contrast, a definition essay with a persuasive intention might be urgent in tone. (To combat (战斗,搏 斗,抗击)student apathy, we must d

24、esign programs that engage students in campus life)2. Writing a thesis statementA good way to generate a thesis statement about a word or term you are defining is to look up the word or term in the dictionary. The dictionary can help you think about your topic in a clear, organized way. It also tell

25、s your readers the boundaries or limits of your definition. Remember that if you plan to cite the dictionary definition, do not quote it word for word, which will make your writing boring and dull. Avoid trying openings like the dictionary says or according to Websters. Such weak starts lack imagina

26、tion. Instead, you can write a paraphrase, a re-statement of the definition in your own words. A thesis statement for an essay that provides a definition to develop content should do one or more of the following: i) state the term or idea that you will define;11) put the term in an appropriate defin

27、ing class;12) explain how the term differs from other members of the defining class;iv) state why defining the term or idea is useful or necessary.The following sentences are examples of thesis statements for essays that provide a definition. The example thesis statementis followed by a list showing

28、 the term, its defining class, and its differentiating features:Thesis statement:Discipline is not a form ofpunishment but a process of training and learning that helps children and adults.Term:disciplineDefining class:process of training and learningDifferentiating features: helps children and adul

29、ts3. Developing the contentOnce you have chosen a term to define and have identified a defining class and differentiating features for the term, explore strategies you can use to support your thesis statement. There is no customary pattern to develop a definition essay. It depends, in a great part,

30、on what is being defined and what you intend to say about it.But before writing the supporting paragraph(s), try to ask yourself the following questions, which are of great help to generate your idea:i) What are some of the examples of it? (example)ii) How many kinds are there? (classification)iii)

31、What are its parts? (division)iv) What is it similar to or different from? (comparison and contrast) v) How is it done? How does it work? (processes)vi) What causes it? What are its results or effects? (cause and effect To see how this technique for defining a term works, let us examine the possible

32、 ways to develop an essay definingsocialization(社会化, 社会主义化).This concept is used by sociologists and psychologists to describe the process by which children develop behavior patterns that fit in with the standard of their culture:i) What are some examples of socialization in our culture? (example) i

33、i) What are the parts or divisions of the socializations? (classification)iii) How is the socialization process similar to or different from other human behavior or processes? (comparison and contrast)iv) How does the socialization process start? How does it work? What are its stages? (processes)v)

34、What causes it? What are its effects? (cause and effect)As you can see, merely answering those questions would provide ar abundance of material for an essay defining the term. And as this lisl of questions also demonstrate, it is usually possible (and advisable) to use more than one method of development when defining a term. By doing so, you present