English

• Definitions in academic writing

  Grammatically accurate, essential to avoid misunderstanding with readers
• How to define a concept or word

  1. Put the term in a general class

  2. Provide details to distinguish it from others in the same class
• Formal definition


  • Term to be defined
  • Class or concept the term belongs to
  • Differentiating characteristics that distinguish it from the rest of its class
• Sedimentary


  • Rock formed by the accumulation or deposition of mineral or organic particles at the Earth's surface, followed by cementation
• Comic books


  • Sequential and narrative publications consisting of illustrations, captions, dialogue balloons, and often focus on super-powered heroes
• Astronomy


  • Branch of scientific study primarily concerned with celestial objects inside and outside of the earth's atmosphere
• Readers are often familiar with common concepts, so defining everything is not necessary
• Good command of correct English is essential to communicate ideas effectively
• Grammar essentials to ensure definitions are free from errors

  • Correct use of parts of speech
  • Grammatical agreement between subjects and verbs
  • Consistent use of tenses
  • Sentence types
  • Sentence patterns
• Etymology (origin and history) of a common word can help expand upon a point
• Avoid defining with "X is when" and "X is where" statements


  These introductory adverb phrases should be avoided
• Definitions should be used when a term may be unfamiliar to readers or has subjective/evaluative layers
• Unclear definitions to be rewritten

  • Argumentative essay is an essay that makes an argument
  • A university is where people go to study but in reality, often spend most of their time just having fun
  • A dog is widely considered to be man's best friend
  • Oxygen is essential for our survival
  • Apple, the maker of apple smartphone, has made vast quantities of money through cutting-edge technologies
• Terms to be defined

  • Flu
  • Mathematics
  • History
  • Election
  • Vaccine
• Avoid defining depression as "when there is a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest on things you normally enjoy doing"
• Revised definition of depression

  Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest on things you normally enjoy doing
• Define a noun with a noun, a verb with a verb, and so forth
• Avoid circular definitions where a word is defined using the same word
• Use simple terms/words or familiar contexts in definitions to avoid leading readers to look up more words
• Keep the class part of a definition small but adequate to include all members of the term being defined
• Avoid adding personal details to definitions
• aggression (n): hostile behavior intended to harm someone or something