Reading and Writing
Week 2
Submission: March 30,2020
Lesson 2: Modes of Paragraph Development: Definition
It is the understanding the essence of a word, an idea, a concept, or an expression.
It should be done clearly or through specific terms so that even the most abstract concepts (e.g., love, happiness,
passion, lust, justice, globalization) can be easily understood and relatable to the human perception.
Its main purpose is to give information to the reader as to what the author intends to explain
Denotation (literal definition of a word) and connotation ( secondary meaning of a word) are often associated with
the term definition
e.g. rose
denotation- a flower (any meaning that comes from the dictionary)
connotation- love and romance
Techniques that one can use in a definition essay:
1. Analysis- process of breaking down concept into parts.
Ex. The guitar is a musical instrument that produces sound primarily through strumming its strings. Its sound
modified through the interaction of the strings with the other parts of the guitar, which are the headstock or
simply the head, the tuners, the nut, the neck. The sound hole, the body and the bridge.
2. Collocation- words that are usually associated with the concept you are trying to define.
Ex. Passion is usually collocated with the terms love and lust. These terms are most often defined in terms of
each other because they share a common semantic feature of “intense liking.”
3. Comparison- associating words with something else not necessarily synonymous with it. Dependent of
imagery and figurative language like simile and metaphors.
Ex. Groping for imagery I find myself thinking of passion as hot, strong, almost thick coffee… Coffee
unleashes energy, has a full-bloodied flavor, a touch of bitterness unpleasant to others, but delicious to
drinker.”
4. Contrast- understanding how at least two similar concepts are different to each other.
Ex. “Love is softness; passion is smoulder. Love might be contentment, but passion is adventure. “
5. Etymology- history of a word. Explains the evolution of word.
Ex. Appassionato is the past participle of a Latin word that means “to impassion” … if passion is good, then
why do many fear? Because by its etymology (from the Latin word passus‟, past participle of „pati‟ meaning to
suffer) brings pain. To be capable of passion one must be open, vulnerable and brave enough to stare pain in
the eye.
6. Exemplification and illustration- giving examples to elaborate concepts.
Ex. Books are considered to be credible and reputable resource materials to consult when you are trying to
find definition of a word. some examples are dictionaries, thesauri, encyclopedia, and manuals.
7. Extended definition- personal interpretation of an author to an abstract and multifaceted concept.
Example: I believe that a life lived with passion shimmers, shines, rises above the ordinary. Allow me to
seduce you into passionate existence. To think, to sing, maybe even to sigh----- appassionato.”
8. Function- another way of understanding what a word or concept means is to know its purpose.
Ex. Whether it may be ancient sundial, a classy pocket watch, a Rolex or Swatch wristwatch, an antique
grandfather‟s clock, or the mighty Big Ben in London, a clock first and foremost, is a mechanical device or
technology whose primary purpose is to measure time.
9. Negation- explaining what is not.
Ex. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others,
it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but
rejoices with the truth.”
-1 Corinthians 13: 4-6
* Read the essay “Appassionato” by Barbara C. Gonzales for the example of essay using Definition.
Activity 2:
Write an essay using the paragraph development definition. Please focus on the following concept:
STEM- Sarcastic/sarcasm
ABM- idyllic
TVL- Chaos
*You can use and combine any of the techniques in defining your concept.
*Essay should be within 250-300 words only. It can be handwritten or printed on a short bond paper. Include a title for
your essay.
*Submission can either through messenger (Jessa Mae Hitosis) (clear pictures, documents (pdf or word)) or via g-mail
(
[email protected])
* Special consideration will be given to those who will not be able to submit online due to slow internet connection or no
net connection at all.
* all hardcopy of the outputs will be submitted on April 16.
* you can also submit activity 1 along with act. 2.
