W7 Exposition (1) definition

Purposes: to introduce a new term, to explain a jargon in some academic discipline, to make clear some abstract, controversial or complicated point in an argument, to make ourselves better understood in everyday life, etc. So it can be used in almost all kinds of writings.
What are proper topic sentences for definition paragraphs?



The Features of a Definition Term Tuberculosis
Class
[category it belongs to]
disease
Features [make Serious, infectious, affects someone’s it different from lungs and other parts of the body others]


Overview: Expository Techniques

Paragraph development by example


By time
By space


By process
By classification


By definition
By comparison and contrast By cause and effect


Two Kinds of Definition Stipulated explanation:

Define a term by showing in what specific context the word is used. Terms such as power, love, human rights, freedom, mean different things to people who understand them in different ways.
Friendship is a plant that must be often watered.


More about Topic Sentence

Sometimes a term can be defined in either of the two ways, and the topic sentence will thus be completely different. Compare the following sentences: 1. Happiness means to be able to help others. [stipulated definition] 2. Happiness is a feeling of contentment. [dictionarybased definition]
专家=砖家？

大学生=大学僧？
研究生=烟酒生？
Definition Paragraph

Definition is a statement or statements about what a phenomenon, an event, a thing, or a type of person is. A paragraph in which we explain what a term means is a definition paragraph.
Extended Definition [Sample]

The modern Olympic Games are a major international event featuring summer and winter sports in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games are considered to be the world’s foremost sports competition with more than 200 nations participating.
More about Topic Sentence

But the topic sentence of a stipulated definition paragraph may not always strictly follow this way of composition. E.g. True love is giving, not taking.


Common Problems in Writing a Definition

1. the circular definition
This means one defines a term with the term itself. E.g. Literature study is the study about literature.


Simple Definition

A tornado may be identified as a strong dangerous wind which forms itself into an upside down spinning cone and is able to destroy buildings as it moves across the ground. [one-sentence]
Two kinds: 1. one answers the question “how” [i.e. it explains a process]; 2. another answers the question “what” [i.e. it explains an idea, a concept, a phenomenon, an incident, a movement, etc.] Tone: usually objective and unemotional.

The Games are currently held every two years, with Summer and Winter Olympic Games alternating, meaning they each occur every four years. Their creation was inspired by the 4th century AD. Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894. The IOC has since become the governing body of the Olympic Movement, with the Olympic Charter defining its structure and authority.
Based on one’s own experience and understanding and thus are subjective.

Forms of Definition

1. Simple definition: short, usu. A synonymous word, a phrase, or a sentence
Extended Definition: Topic Sentence

1. a) Tuberculosis is a serious infectious disease that affects someone’s lungs and other parts of the body. b) Tuberculosis was the cause of his grandfather’s death. 2. a) Objects seen in the sky or landing on earth which cannot be identified and which are often believed to be vehicles from another planet are called UFOs (unidentified flying objects). b) UFOs are not as mysterious as people generally think.
Exposition
Exposition [说明文] To expose is to explng is not to argue but to explain, to teach, to give instructions, to provide guidance, to prove a truth, or to clear up a misunderstanding, etc.

For a definition paragraph or essay, a onesentence definition is necessary as a topic sentence. It should be very specific and not too long.

Now looking at the pairs of sentences:
Extended Definition

Extended with additional information: