step 1:
Extend the definition of one of the following words beyond either the dictionary’s definition or a societal understanding of the word:
Family
Success
Courage
Art
Beauty
In the introduction of your draft, briefly explain how the dictionary or society defines the word you’ve selected, and then explain the extended definition of the word in a single-sentence thesis towards the end that outlines the main points of extension. In the body paragraphs, provide unique examples and explanations to support these points of the extended definition.
Your thesis must inform your readers of the extended definition and, because you are writing in the informative mode, you must use objective language. For this essay, writing in the informative mode means avoiding writing in the first-person and/or framing personal examples using objective language.
Draft an extended definition essay that defines or redefines a word or concept.
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Step 2. Think About Your Writing
As a part of your completed draft, complete the color-coding activity and include answers to all of the questions below your draft.
PART 1: Color-Coding Activity
Using the color codes provided, evaluate your draft as follows:
Use red text to indicate your thesis statement.
Use green text to indicate the topic sentence of each body paragraph.
PART 2: Reflection Questions
What is the significance of your essay? Why should readers care about what you have written? (2-3 sentences) Think about why you decided to pick the word you chose to define. Your interest in your subject matter should be clear to readers.
Which areas of your draft do you think will benefit most from revision? (2-3 sentences) Consider the organization, style, focus, development, and conventions of your draft. Which areas did you struggle to complete?
Consider the strengths and weaknesses of your writing. How can you capitalize on your strengths and improve on your weaknesses in future essays? (3-4 sentences) Think about what was easy about writing the draft, and what was more difficult. For example, if you write paragraphs with strong topic sentences, but repeatedly use the same type of sentence to provide supporting details, you can improve your paragraphs by varying sentence structure.
—— ❒ If you chose the extended definition prompt, did you indicate how society defines the word you selected, and then explain an extended definition of it?
❒ Have you included examples and explanations to support the extended definition?
❒ Did you complete the color-coding activity?
❒ Is your draft 800-1300 words long?
Working Thesis
❒ Have you included a clear, focused, and detailed thesis statement?
❒ Does your thesis state the topic and purpose of your essay?
❒ Is your thesis a single sentence that outlines the main points of extension located toward the end of the introductory paragraph?
Focus and Organization
❒ Is there an adequate number of body paragraphs, each with a clear topic sentence that restates the word and focuses on the main points of the extended definition?
❒ Is there a conclusion paragraph that restates the thesis, reviews the main points, and provides final thoughts about the extended definition overall?
❒ Are your draft paragraphs sequenced properly?
❒ Have you used transitions to connect ideas between sentences and paragraphs?
❒ Can your draft be described as having a good flow?
❒ Does your draft have a clear focus?
❒ Are all supporting details relevant?
Style and Tone
❒ Is the tone of your draft unbiased and informative avoiding first-person or personal details that are not framed in an objective manner?
❒ Is it clear that the purpose of your essay is to inform readers about your topic?
❒ Have you carefully considered your word choices?
Conventions
❒ Have you checked your draft for grammatical errors?
❒ Have you used spell-check or another method to check spelling?
❒ Have you punctuated your draft correctly?
❒ Have you included your name, date, and course at the top left of the page?
❒ Have you completed the “Think About Your Writing” questions and color coding activity?
❒ Is your draft between three and five pages long (approximately 800-1300 words)?