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Getting Started: Definition and Descriptive Essays By Joanne D. KigginsDefinition and descriptive essays can be the simplest and most effective way to learn how to write essays. Once you've learned to define or describe a subject, you will find it easier to write other types of essays.
In a definition essay the writer chooses a subject to define completely by its dictionary definition.
Some subjects or terms have a definite and concrete meaning, such as bird, mountain, or path. Each of these can be described by a dictionary definition.
A dictionary often defines a word three ways: the term, the category or class to which it belongs, and the characteristics that distinguish it; e.g., path (term): a trodden way (category) route or course (characteristic). The writer can simply define the term or go deeper into the subject by implying the definition and allowing the reader to infer the meaning.
Once you decide the term, you can break it down into several different types of definitions to decide how you will write the essay.
Define by category or class: Explain what class the subject does or does not belong to. Define by structure or characteristic: Explain how something is designed or what it looks like. Define by function: Explain how something works or its purpose. Define by analysis: Explain how it compares to other members of its category or class. Define by detail: Explain the distinguishing traits, characteristics, or thoughts of the definition.
Let's pick a "tree" as a term to define.
Below are the dictionary definitions:
Tree 1. A tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and a head of branches and leaves forming a distinct elevated crown. 2. A piece of wood adapted to a particular use; "a shoe tree" 3. A figure that branches from a single root; "genealogical tree"
Using those definitions, decide how you will define the term tree. What kind of definition essay can be written about a tree you ask? Here are a few ideas that can lead into many more if you give the subject a bit of thought.
As with any idea for any essay, the writer needs to think past the subject. What makes the idea interesting?
Think past the tree.
What do trees do? Seriously, think about the options of discussion here! This is where you write your list and ask questions about your subject or term.
What do trees do? 1. Provide oxygen to people and animals through photosynthesis. 2. Absorb odors and pollution. 3. Provide shelter for humans and animals. 4. Conserve energy by shading and cooling homes. 5. Provide food.
What are they used for? 1. Wood for warmth. 2. To make furniture, paper, fence posts, rope, glue, dye, etc. 3. Food: fruit, nuts, syrup, jelly, wine, etc. 4. Medicine: Cedar oil was once used as medicine. Cherry and Slippery Elm were used for coughs.
Using the term tree and the fact that trees provide humans and animals with oxygen is just one definition essay that could be written. The writer would define how trees provide oxygen through photosynthesis. Defining the class, category or function of a tree one could write an essay about all the uses of an apple tree. Or, with a bit of research, write a definition essay about one of the most stunning colorful trees in autumn, the maple tree. Indians taught the early settlers how to draw sap from the trees. One tree can produce from five to 60 gallons of sap per year. It takes 32 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup.
With the above, the writer would be defining a class of tree, its characteristics, and its function, using facts, examples, and research gathered to explain the subject of the essay.
Other terms such as love, faith, or personality are abstract and require the writer's point of view. Here the writer would define the term with his view of the subject and show examples of experience, feelings, or anecdotes to prove his theory of definition.
In a descriptive essay a writer relies on adjectives to explain how something feels, looks, tastes, smells, or sounds. Use the five senses. A descriptive essay can also describe what something is, how something happened, or reenact an event.
Description is seldom used as the basis of the entire essay, but instead used to describe a place, person, event, or feeling of a particular subject. Depending on the subject and point of view used, some descriptive essays can also be classified as personal essays, which we'll talk about another time.
A descriptive essay should appeal to the senses of the reader. Let him feel, see, hear, taste, and smell what you write.
Think of a descriptive essay as describing a scene in a short story or novel. Let the reader feel part of the surroundings or location if you are writing about a place. Use vivid details or sensory details to give the reader a mental picture of what is being written about.
Get in the habit of using adjectives to describe; e.g., faded curtains, burnt grass, steamed windows.
Practice the use of descriptive synonyms in place of plain words; e.g., weeds or thorns-- spines, thistles, or prickles; light or sun-- glow, brightness, or gleam.
For example, one simple sentence can be changed completely with description. Notice the synonyms (underlined) in place of plain words and adjectives (bold) to describe.
She looked at the house and it smelled.
She surveyed the abandoned estate and breathed in cool air that reeked of rotten wood and death.
Did the first sentence present a mental picture of what she saw, felt or smelled? No. By using a few descriptive synonyms and adjectives, a more vivid image is formed in the reader's mind.
Things to consider when writing a descriptive essay:
Whether writing a definition or descriptive essay, make sure you research the topic or have knowledge about it to inform the reader emphasizing the subject in a unified, coherent manner. Joanne will accept questions by e-mail about writing from readers and answer those questions in her column. E-mail Joanne: joannedkiggins@comcast.net Visit her site at http://joannedkiggins.home.comcast.net/Joanne Kiggins has published more than 2,500 articles. She was award recipient of the 1990 Woman of the Year for Beaver County, Pennsylvania, for her accomplishments in her community and excellence in journalism. She was on the staff of Slippery Rock University teaching her copyrighted writing course "Sell What You Write" and Creative and Freelance writing. She has appeared on television and radio, hosted several writers' conferences, and spoke at many conferences and writers' organizations. Her most recent articles were published in ByLine Magazine, Writer's Digest, Absolute Write, Moondance, the Compulsive Reader, BlogCritics, Cleveland.com, nola.com, nj.com, pennlive.com, mlive.com, masslive.com, Alabama Everything, and the Plain Dealer. An excerpt from the mystery suspense novel she is currently writing, Unearthed, placed her in the top ten finalists of the Absolute Write Idol contest. Her co-authored romance novel Unforgettable Journey placed fifth in the Grand Beginnings romance contest in March 2005. Her essay, "Perseverance," is published in the Stories of Strength anthology written in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, for which 100% of the profits will be donated to various disaster relief charities. For more columns by Joanne Kiggins, please click here. |
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