Defination Paragraph

Defination Paragraph

Group: 1

Lecturer: MA. Tran Tin Nghi

What is a definition paragraph?A definition paragraph defines something. The word definition comes from the verb to define, which means “to state the meaning of a word or to describe the basic qualities of something”. In a definition paragraph, the writer’s main purpose is to tell you what something is.

A good definition paragraph shows insight, thoughtfulness, and individuality. It also shows the ability to look beneath the surface of a shallow thought.

Formula of Defination Paragraph (1) TERM + CLASS + DESCRIPTION (DESCRIPTIVE

SENTENCE)Ex1 : Lemonade (term) is a type of drink (larger class) that is made from lemons, sugar and water and ice.(description).

Ex2: Happiness (term) is a type of feeling (larger class) that’s showing pleasure or contentment (description). Descriptive sentences include details that appeal to the five senses:

sight, taste, touch, smell, and hearing. In a descriptive sentences, the writer must convey information that appeals to all the senses, in order to give the best possible description to the reader.

Descriptive sentences are commonly used in fiction and non-fiction writing, to help to immerse readers into the world of the author.

Using varied descriptive words also helps a reader better understand the subject being described. Descriptive words modify verbs and nouns. All adjectives, or describing words added to nouns and verbs to indicate what color, what kind, how many or which one, are descriptive words although not all descriptive words are adjectives.

Write one topic sentence that mentions the element that you will define, and be sure to provide three key defining words or phrases.

In about one sentence, explain your first defining word/phrase by telling why this word/phrase defines your subject.

Provide one to two sentences that give a specific example of your first defining word/phrase.

Starting with a transitional phrase, explain your second defining word in about one sentence just like you did for your first defining word/phrase.

Write one to two sentences that give an illustrative example of your second defining word/phrase.

Explain your third defining key word/phrase the same way that you explained your first and second defining key word/phrase.

End your paragraph with one closing sentence.

The sequence of steps for a definition paragraph

Step 1: Choose a topic Step 2: Brainstorm some information

about the topic. What do you want to include? What do your readers know about the topic? What do they want to know?

Step 3: Write a topic sentence controlling ideas

Step 4: write a few supporting sentences that relate to the topic.

Step 5: End with a concluding sentence that restates the topic or makes a prediction about it

Step 6: If you use words from another source, put quotation marks around them.

PART OF DEFINATION PARAGRAPH

The Definitio

n of Terms

paragraph will

have 4 parts:

• Why does this term need to be defined?  Why is there any question about its definition?  Why is it important?

Introduction to the term and

topic.  

• Choose the most common meaning from the dictionary and modify it.  

Dictionary definition.

• What do you think it means?  How are you using it here?

Your definition.

• How this relates to your thesis or why it’s

important.Conclusion.

Formula of Defination Paragraph (2)

 (The term) … is defined as … (The term) … is understood to be … (The term) … signifies … (The term) … means that … (The term) … denotes … (The term) … suggests … (The term) … connotes … (The term) … is …

Common Terms used for Definition

Example 1Write a definition paragraph about the word “entertainment” Horror movies are very popular today, but many

question whether they are entertainment.  To those who do not enjoy being frightened, entertainment may involve other types of movies, but not those that are meant to frighten.

The Longman Dictionary of American English defines entertainment as “things such as television, movies, etc. that amuse or interest people”

When fear hold neither amusement nor interest, it can therefore not be called entertainment.

Certainly people do not agree on this point, or they would not be so popular.

Introduction to the term and topic.  

Dictionary

definition.

Your definitio

n.

Conclusion.

Language focus (1)

Adding quotation marksTo mark the exact words that were spoken

by someoneTo mark language that a writer has

borrowed from another sourceTo indicate when a word or phrase is being

used in a special way

Ex: According to The American Heritage Dictionary, gossip is a “trivial rumor of a personal nature”

Language focus (1)

Sequencing sentences: A good paragraph may be created with sentences in a certain order for the meaning they want. (Ex p.97)

Analyzing a paragraph The best place to put an example is usually just

after you have explained an idea. If your paragraph compares two ideas, explain both ideas first, then provide examples of both in the following sentences.

For beginning an example, we can use: For example, for instance, an example of this is,… or we can also write an example sentence without such an introduction.

Language focus (2)

Simple adjective clauses: A simple adjective clause is made up a relative pronoun (that, which, who) followed by a verb and sometimes an object. It describes the noun(s) that becomes before it. Notes:

Use that or which for things.

Use who or that for people.

Ex: A hurricane is a dangerous storm that features high winds and heavy rains.

Language focus (2)

Combine sentences for varietyFor variety, combine two short sentences

with a connecting word, such as and, but, or, and so. The writer has combined phrases and ideas together to make more complex sentences that sound better and read more smoothly.

Methods: we can use adjectives, adjectives clauses, adverbs, adverbs clauses, prepositional phrases, and other variations in the sentence for variety.

The member of Group 1

Thạch Dương Kim An Hoàng Mạnh Dũng Bùi Thành Khoa (C) Lê Nguyễn Hoài Phương Trương Thị Xuân Sa Dương Mỹ Tiên Phạm Minh Tuấn

Assignment: Write a definition paragraph on a slang term you or

your friends use. Begin with a topic sentence that is your dictionary-

style definition of your slang term. Then support this topic sentence with examples of how this term is used in conversation, etc. 

Our topic sentence should follow the formula discussed above and included below. Topic Sentence:

_____ is a slang term my friends use that means ___.

Your finished paragraph should be five to seven sentences in length.