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Patterns of Development. Definition. “When I use a word…it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.” Humpty Dumpty. Nice dash, Mr. Carroll!. For language to communicate, words have to have accepted definitions. However, it’s not so simple: Parents argue over “discipline”
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Patterns of Development Definition
“When I use a word…it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.” Humpty Dumpty Nice dash, Mr. Carroll!
For language to communicate, words have to have accepted definitions. • However, it’s not so simple: • Parents argue over “discipline” • People argue over when “life” begins What is Definition?
How Definition fits purpose and audience Short answer exams Definition can be used with other patterns of development Extended definition (this essay)— -explore a subject, -apply personal interpretation, -“revise” a commonly accepted meaning, -clarify misunderstood words, -help the reader come to a new understanding
Is there something you are qualified to define? • Will you define a concept, object, type of person, place, phenomenon, or a controversial issue? • Do you want to inform, explain, persuade, give personal interp, propose revised meaning, discuss shifts in meaning over time, distinguish one term from another? Prewriting Strategies
Stay focused on purpose, audience, and tone • Formulate an effective definition (can start w/ dictionary def, but it’s boring) • You can i.d.the term, class, and characteristics Strategies for Using Definition
Develop the extended definition by using patterns of development—narration, description, c/c, c/e, process, analysis • Organize the material that develops the definition More strategies
Organize the material that develops the definition—you have to have some way to organize your paragraphs (emphatic, chrono, process, etc.) More strategies
Write an effective introduction—can have formal definition, can have origin of word, can say what the term is not, may restrict the term • Intro may end with plan of development One final strategy
Don’t rely on dictionary definitions, esp. if your point is to prove it wrong or misleading • You can “define” by the following methods: analysis, negation, classification, comparison, examples, incidents, details, origins, causes, results, effects, and uses But how do I actually “define”?
1. Write a short paragraph (130-150 words) defining love, using negation. • 2. Write a short paragraph defining terrorism, using examples. • 3. Write a short paragraph defining pop music, using compare/contrast. And now for some practice