Planning a Definition

Definition essays are especially difficult to write because they require you to establish clear criteria to justify a perspective on a controversial issue, categorize an item, explain a term or operation, or give concrete meaning to abstract concepts.These types of definitions (also known as extended definitions) go beyond just a dictionary definition and situate a concept within some type of context. If you can establish firm criteria, clearly illustrate how your topic meets those criteria, and create a successful definition, you will have created one of the strongest arguments possible.

So, what does that look like in practice?

To create an extended definition, you must think about what you are defining and the context surrounding it--why must it be defined? What is your purpose in defining it? If you are arguing that your topic (we'll call it X) should be classified in a certain group, you must determine what the characteristics of that group are before you can argue that X belongs there. 

Let's say that you have been asked to determine whether or not the death penalty is "just." What you are really being asked to do is classify the death penalty as just or unjust, a task that requires you to determine the qualities differentiate the just from the unjust. In short, you are being asked to define the concept of "justice" and apply it to the death penalty (easy, right?).

After you have determined your criteria for what makes an act just or unjust (and determined where the death penalty falls), you can create a thesis using the topic (the death penalty), opinion (just or unjust), evidence (criteria) format:

     Despite concerns that the death penalty is too severe, it is a just punishment because it is equal to the offense and benefits society.

This thesis clearly outlines two criteria on which to base the rest of the essay: equality of crime and punishment and benefits to society.

How do you organize the definition?

Usually, definitions follow one of two structures: opposing views early or opposing views late. Like all arguments, this structure will be determined in the introduction. The body of the essay should  expand on the background of the issue; establish, explain, and support the criteria; explain how the concept in question fits the criteria; and anticipate and address opposing views. As always, the conclusion should answer the "So what?" question, explaining the importance of defining the concept and suggesting further implications. The sample outline below introduces the opposing views early in the essay:

I. Introduction

     A. Context: Why the "justness" of the death penalty is a relevant topic

     B. Controversy: Who believes it is unjust and why (brief overview, 1-2 sentences)

     C. Need to define justice

     D. Criteria of justice (how we are defining it)

     E. Thesis

II. Further explanation of context

     A. Background of death penalty/idea of justice

III. Further explanation of controversy (opposing views)

     A. Who believes the death penalty to be unjust

     B. Why they believe it to be unjust

     C. Transition to discussion of justice

IV. Definition of Justice

     A. Need to define

     B. Criteria of justice

          1. Equal to crime committed

          2. Benefits society

V. Application of death penalty to the definition

     A. Equal to crime committed

     B. Benefits to society

VI. Conclusion: Answer the "So what?" question

     A. Iterate the importance of the definition

     B. Identify further implications of applying the definition to the death penalty