Definition Essays

1. Definition Essays

2. First Things First … • What is the question? What does it want you to define? • Underline the word it wants you to define. • Think of words that mean the same. • Think of words that mean the opposite. • Make a list of 10 action verbs you could use when writing this essay.

3. Introduction • First sentence – grabs your attention. • If you use the quote, make sure you: • Put it in quotation marks • Cite it • Define it • And that it fits with your essay • Two main points • Thesis statement: Word for word what the prompt is asking…. Respect means honoring other people and is exemplified by observation and literature.

4. Introduction Example Grab: Respect means honoring other people. Detail 1. Respect can be exemplified by the actions of people after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Detail 2. Disrespect, the opposite of respect, can be exemplified by the myth, “Perseus.” Thesis statement: Respect, which means honoring people, can be exemplified by people’s actions after the September 11 terrorist attacks and the opposite, disrespect, can be exemplified by the myth, “Perseus.”

5. First Body Paragraph • Topic sentence – Respect, which means honoring other people, is exemplified by (your observation). • Observation is a past or current event – such as the September 11 attack, the election of Obama, the death of Michael Jackson, the recession, the death of Bin Laden, etc. • Make sure you use at least 10 details. Details include names, dates, colors, etc. • Use only one example per paragraph. • Paragraphs must end with an analytical statement and use an analytical verb. • Exemplifies • Presents • Describes • Characterizes • Specifies • Illustrates • Depicts • Explores • Proves • Reveals • Identifies • Portrays • Demonstrates

6. First body paragraph • Topic sentence: Respect was exemplified by the memorial services on September 11, 2011 that honored those who died during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. • A memorial was set up at the sight of the attacks in Manhattan, New York, which lists all of the names of the victims. • The more than 3,000 children who were younger than 18 when they lost their parents were honored at a ceremony at the attack site. • Barrack Obama was present at a memorial service on September 11, 2011 for the victims and laid a wreath at the Pentagon. • President Obama and Michelle Obama visited Shanksville, Pennsylvania on September 11, 2011 to honor those who died on Flight 93. • Analytical statement: The services on September 11, 2011 showed respect to those who died during the terrorist attacks by honoring their memories.

7. Second Body Paragraph • Topic sentence – Disrespect, which is the opposite of respect, is exemplified in (your literature example). • Literature means something that is written. Try very hard not to use a movie as a reference. • Use at least ten details to describe your example • End with an analytical statement.

8. Second Body Paragraph • Topic sentence: Disrespect, the opposite of respect, is exemplified by the myth, “Perseus.” • Cassiopeia, queen of Joppa, disrespected the goddess, Thetis, in Thetis’s own temple. • Cassiopeia stated that her daughter, Andromeda, was the most beautiful thing in all the heavens and Earth, even more lovely than the goddess Thetis herself. • Thetis was very angry because of the disrespect and ordered Cassiopeia to sacrifice Andromeda to the Kraken, a sea monster controlled by Poseidon, the god of the oceans.

9. Conclusion • Restate thesis statement. • Clincher statement: • Respect was exemplified after the September 11 terrorist attack when people honored the victims, the rescue workers, and the heroes of flight 93. • Disrespect was exemplified when Cassiopeia stated her daughter was more beautiful than the goddess, Thetis, in Thetis’ own temple. • Relevance: Respect is an important part of today’s world.