Definition / 87- Do^ transitions^ help^ them^ see^ relationships^ among^ the^ subtopics?
- Are^ the^ details^ sufficient^ to^ explain^ the^ term?
STEP 6: Revising—Checking the Content
As you reread your definition, ask yourself these questions to check for areas for pos-
sible revision:
-^ Does the topic sentence put the term into its class and then show the differences
between it and all other members of its class?
-^ If the term is abstract, does the definition include specific details and examples
to help the reader understand the abstraction? [See Sample Revision for
Specific Detail in Chapter 3, Revising.]
-^ If the term is technical, does the definition reduce the term to lay person’s
language or provide specific examples the lay person will understand?
- If^ the^ term^ names^ a^ process,^ does^ the^ reader^ learn^ about^ the^ process?
-^ If the term names a situation, does the reader learn about the situation and its
causes and effects, as appropriate?
-^ If possible, does the reader see the unfamiliar in terms of the familiar, perhaps
by means of a comparison, contrast, or analogy? - Can^ the^ reader^ follow^ a^ clear^ organization^ with^ the^ help^ of^ effective^ transitions?^
[See Sample Revision for Transition in Chapter 3, Revising.]
-^ Does the conclusion satisfy the reader with all he or she should know about the
term? [See conclusion in the Glossary.]
[In addition, see Chapter 3, Revising, for general guidelines for improving structure and
polishing style.]
STEP 7: Proofreading—Checking the Details
When you have completed the revising process in Step 6, prepare your final draft.
Then check for grammar, mechanics, usage, punctuation [see Part IV for rules and
examples], spelling, and word choice.
WRITING-ACROSS-THE-CURRICULUM MODELS
Any piece of writing must be tailored to the audience who will read it. Thus, in addi-
tion to the sample definition paper below, you will find online five additional sam-
ples, tailored for other audiences, along with their respective analyses.