How to Write an Extended Definition
Usually when you hear the word "definition" you think of a dictionary or encyclopedia. For example: a juvenile delinquent is: an underage person convicted of crime or antisocial behavior. Likewise, a venture capitalist is: a person who provides money for innovative projects.
Example:
Single Pattern
Sometimes
a single pattern will be sufficient to extend the definition to achieve
the effect you want for your audience. For example, let's say in an
introductory sociology course, you are introducing the term "juvenile
delinquent" to the class. You could use the "classify" pattern to
clarify how broadly the term in used in this field:
Term:
juvenile delinquent
Standard definition: an underage person who has committed a crime.
Pattern: Classify
Overall Point: To understand "juvenile delinquent" in this field, it's
necessary to know the major types of delinquents.
Support points:
The first type of delinquent
is . . .
The second type of
delinquent is . . .
The third type of
delinquent is . . .
Example:
Multi Pattern
Depending
on the term, you may find that using several patterns is the best way
to help shape your audience's understanding of a term. For example,
let's consider the innocent sounding term "arbitration." Maybe you wish
to make the point that sometimes legal terms are used to desensitize us
from what is really taking place. Consider this example:
Term:
Arbitration
Standard definition: legal process of resolving a dispute
Classify Pattern--list and define types of arbitration, including
"forced arbitration"
Narration Pattern--Jamie Leigh Jones, brutally raped by Halliburton
coworkers in Iraq, was required to submit to forced arbitration without
appeal.
Cause/Effect pattern: Deprived of due process of law, Jamie's rapists
went
free
In the End
Your
task in writing an extended definition is to add to the
standard/notional definition in a way that will allow your
audience to gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the term in
a particular context. Whether you do this by adding facts, telling what
a
term does not include, or applying any of the many development patterns
(classify, illustrate, cause/effect, compare/contrast, narration,
description), matters not. Only the development of clear understanding
between you and
your audience should be the ultimate goal.