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For this essay, you will be writing a 5 to 6 page argument of definition using the MLA system of citation for sources used. You may use scholarly, magazine and/or newspaper articles for evidence to support your claims, but not websites—choose highly credible sources. Each source you use will be evaluated for credibility (see Part 4 of EAA).
Before you begin selecting a claim and creating an outline for this paper, read Chapter Nine in EAA, including the sample essays at the end of the chapter. First of all, what is an argument of definition? How human beings agree on the definitions, updates, and challenges to concepts and the words that represent them is litigated by arguments. In academia, we make and revise definitions. In courtrooms, lawyers and judges negotiate definitions. We may even define ordinary things differently than others, since we are all products of disparate language and idea communities; take, for example, barbecue. Texas, Tennessee, and North Dakota are going to have very different definitions of barbecue.
An argument of definition usually follows the formula:
X is/is not Y [Ex. Protesting the National Anthem (X) is more patriotic (Y) than singing it.]
Coronavirus (X) is an airborne virus (Y).
Texting while driving (X) is reckless endangerment (Y).
Happiness (X) is a warm puppy (Y).
The most familiar way to define something is by using the definition of an authority, such as a dictionary, then citing that authority appropriately using the MLA Style system. Not all dictionaries are appropriate for college writing. Examples of dictionaries that are acceptable for college-level writing are Merriam-Webster, American Heritage, and Oxford English Dictionary. For some words or ideas, the dictionary is not an appropriate authority. Your essay must contain a formal definition discussion of at least one word that you define and discuss how it frames your thinking around a debate.
You may also define by synonym, categorization, and similar or novel properties. For example, the Greeks used several different words for “love”: storge, agape, philos, and eros. Love (X) is (Ya, Yb, Yc, Yd) for familiarity, charity, friendship, and romance respectively. This is a definition of quality or degree.
Likewise, you can define by using antonyms—what something is not. For example, in Texas, killing someone (X) is not murder (Y) if you reasonably believe you are in danger (self-defense), but this may not be true around the world. This is defining by qualification—a certain condition must be met in order to meet the definition, “murder.”
An argument of definition has several parts. First, it is based upon a claim. From the claim, you will build your argument using evidence/grounds that supports your claim. Opposing ideas or opposing arguments are called counter-claims, counter-arguments, or rebuttals. Sometimes it is better to discuss your counter-argument at the beginning of your argument [Rogerian Argument], rather than the end of your argument [Toulmin Argument]. Study and consider the concepts of warrant, backing, and qualifiers and if you should include these in your argument.
Be cautious of a definitional claim that veers into an evaluative (Country Music is/is not cool) or deliberative (what should happen in the future) argument. You must truly define a thing.
There are several ways you can approach this assignment:
Formulate a controversial/provocative definition
Ex. Owning a home is no longer an expectation in the “American Dream.”
Challenge a definition
Ex. Capital punishment is murder.
Here, the “Y” in the formula [X is Y] is a surprising reversal from the established legal definition.
Determine whether something fits into an existing definition
Ex. Should healthiness of foods take their carbon footprint into account?
Here, healthiness is being redefined as not just good for the body, but also good for the earth.
Health (X) is NOT (Y—just one’s own body, but that of other organisms and the earth)
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