Description
In this essay type, something is defined, such as student motivation, a memorable vacation, friend, success, etc. Specific examples work well with definition essays. For example, if your essay is about anger, providing an example of someone you have witnessed who has displayed anger can help create a vivid image for your readers. Usually, definition essays specify a term, provide the class that the term belongs to, and share traits that the term has that differentiates it from the other terms within its class.
Example: Psychology (term) is a field of study within Social Sciences (class) that is interested in human behaviour as well as the mind (traits/characteristics that differentiate the term from other fields of study in the class).
Example: Psychology (term) is a field of study within Social Sciences (class) that is interested in human behaviour as well as the mind (traits/characteristics that differentiate the term from other fields of study in the class).
Common Description Essay Structure
Definition essays are typically five paragraphs and follow the following format:
Introduction Paragraph: includes the thesis statement/term to be defined in the essay
Body Paragraph 1: includes support/evidence of the thesis statement/term to be defined
Body Paragraph 2: includes support/evidence of the thesis statement/term to be defined
Body Paragraph 3: includes support/evidence of the thesis statement/term to be defined
Concluding Paragraph: reiterates the thesis statements but not in the exact same words; new information is never added to this paragraph
Introduction Paragraph: includes the thesis statement/term to be defined in the essay
Body Paragraph 1: includes support/evidence of the thesis statement/term to be defined
Body Paragraph 2: includes support/evidence of the thesis statement/term to be defined
Body Paragraph 3: includes support/evidence of the thesis statement/term to be defined
Concluding Paragraph: reiterates the thesis statements but not in the exact same words; new information is never added to this paragraph