Development: Description, Definition, Integrating Types of Development

1. Development: Description, Definition, Integrating Types of Development Christine Do

2. Description • A description provides specific physical details about the topic at hand. • Example: • “ I was measured and the young salesman picked off the rack a zoot suit that was just wild: sky blue pants thirty inches in the knee and angle-narrowed down to twelve inches at the bottom and a long coat that pinched my waist and flared out below my knees.” • This helps the reader form mental pictures.

3. Guidelines for Descriptions • Use clear, colorful language. • Use a picture if it helps. • Only use relevant detail. • Use a tag to tie your description back to the point you are making.

4. Definition • A definition is used to develop a subject. • A definition helps to make meanings of unfamiliar words or phrases clear to the audience. • Example: • As I walked through the streets with my mother and her friends, I overheard her describing the people at the corner as stumblebums, which was a term meaning clumsy people.

5. Guidelines for Definitions • Avoid using “According to Webster” and other overused introductions to definitions. • There are many ways to define a term: • Dictionary definition • Synonym • Contrasting term • Example • Avoid talking down to an audience when you define a term. • Make sure the definition is clear, and that the words used in it will be understood.

6. Integrating the Various Types of Development • To develop a claim that you would like to prove, you must support your claim through various types of support. • A thesis is used to state a person’s claim. • Example: • American values are responsible for many of the ethical problems found around the world.

7. Types of Support • Statistics • Example: While many teens know that texting while driving is dangerous, 37% of them still continue to send and receive text messages while behind the wheel. • Fact • Example: The UHigh Key Club is sponsoring a competitive food drive against Central Catholic from April 1-15th. • Testimony • Example: Stoll and Beller say, “While sport does build character if defined as loyalty dedication, sacrifice, and teamwork , it does not build moral character in the sense of honesty, responsibility and justice.” • Analogy • Example: The internet has become the latest fashion.

8. Types of Support • Comparison/ Contrast • Example: The referees called a technical foul, allowing Stratton to begin the game with two free throws. The Stratton coach, however, told his player to miss the shots. • Example • Example: Many couples in Asia follow the tradition of taking care of their parents in their own home. In our American culture, most couples live on their own rather than with their parents. This value of independence could cause conflict.

9. Quiz  • What are some guidelines for writing descriptions? • Clear, colorful language; use a picture; use relevant detail; use a tag to tie description back to the main point • What is a definition used for? • A definition is used to develop a subject, and to clarify unfamiliar words or phrases. • What are the types of support for a claim? • Statistics, testimony, fact, analogy, comparison/contrast, and example