Definition Analysis Essay

Overview
Definitions are an important part of our everyday lives. Often we don’t think much about them, but now is the time to start. For this essay you will choose a term or concept from any of the readings that I’ve listed below. You will objectively define your term/concept according to its use in the reading you choose. (If you would like to use two readings we’ve covered to define your term/concept, that is fine). Ultimately, your goal is to provide an extensive objective definition of the term/concept and support your definition through examples, quotes, and summaries from the reading(s). (You are NOT making up your own definition, nor are you discussing elements of the definition that are not reflected by the reading(s). In other words, I should only see examples from the text, and your explanation of those examples should be directed solely at the text. Do not link the definitions to the outside world).

Here are more examples of things you might consider defining. You are NOT limited to this list. Remember you are only choosing ONE term/concept to define.

“How to Know if You’re Dead” – dead, patient, surgery
“A Good Man Is Hard to Find” – bad man, scapegoat, karma
“Imagination or Theft” – theft, good book, imagination
“The Veil in Persepolis” – rebel, tradition, rules
“All Seven Deadly Sins Committed at Church Bake Sale” – sin, religion, church-goers
“Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History” – expectations, well-behaved women, history
“The Ways We Lie” – lie, truth, communication

Here’s an example of the kinds of questions you should ask yourself about the readings:

One of the readings we will complete in the allotted time frame is “A Good Man is Hard to Find.” I could choose to define the term “scapegoat” in accordance with this reading. To do so thoroughly, I would need to state what a scapegoat is, who/what in the story is a scapegoat, why that thing/person is a scapegoat, what the purpose of the scapegoat is, how the scapegoat influences the theme of the story, etc. Also, I would need to cite specific sentences and examples to support each of my claims.

Here’s an example of a body paragraph for “How to Know if You’re Dead.” Reviewing this should help you recognize the structure I’m expecting.

Important Notes

Your definition analysis will be in MLA format and will require in-text citations AND a Work(s) Cited page. It will also be between 1,500-2,000 words long.