86 / Methods of Development
This sentence may become the topic or thesis sentence for your paragraph or theme.
[See topic sentence and thesis sentence in the Glossary for quick reference, and see
Writing a Paragraph and Writing a Multi-Paragraph Paper in Chapter 2, Writing, for a
complete discussion of paragraph and theme structure.]
STEP 3: Prewriting—Choosing Explanatory Details
If your definition requires more than a single sentence, then you need to determine
which details will best complete the definition. Think about the following possibilities:
Analogy or Comparison. You may define the law of supply and demand by compar-
ing the price fluctuations with the behavior of children on a seesaw. [See Chapter 5,
Analogy, and Chapter 8, Comparison and Contrast.]
Process or Structural Analysis. A kiln can be defined by structural analysis,
describing how it is constructed, and by process analysis, describing how it is used.
[See Chapter 14, Process Analysis.]
Cause or Effect. To define mulch as any organic matter that smothers unwanted veg-
etation and, as it deteriorates, enriches the soil is to define by effect. The definition
explains how the mulch affects what it covers.
Description, Details, Examples. You can best define technical report by describing
its contents and appearance and by offering an example of a typical technical report.
Negation. By establishing what is not, you can define what is. To say that a fireplace
is not an efficient means of heating is to define by negation.
Combination of Methods. Photosynthesis can be defined by explaining the process
(process analysis), by showing the effects of the process (cause or effect), and by
describing the effect when the process breaks down (description, example, cause or
effect, and negation).
Choose the most appropriate means of defining the term and list as many details as
you can using that means.
STEP 4: Prewriting—Organizing the Details
Next, arrange the details in some logical order. You may choose chronological order,
spatial order, or some order of importance [see entries for each in the Glossary]
according to the demands of your subject.
STEP 5: Writing—Making the Definition Clear
As you write your first draft, think of your audience:
- Will they understand the terminology?
- Will they be able to follow the organization?