Writing a Definitional Argument

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Write a 3-page essay in which you will address an issue of definition that is important to students in your university community or to college students in general. You will provide your readers with a full, well-supported argument built around the idea or concept you wish to define. Choose a controversial topic of interest to your readers, and include images in your essay if possible.

Getting Started
In exploring ideas for a topic, keep in mind that you can approach an argument of definition by:

Formulating a definition (What is X?): "Terrorism is any non-wartime act of violence undertaken for political gain …"
Challenging a definition (Y is not X.): "Violence undertaken as part of a revolt against an oppressive regime is not terrorism …"
Trying to determine if something fits an accepted definition (Y is/is not X.): "The Irish Republican Army is/is not a terrorist organization ..."

Your claim, or thesis, will be a succinct statement of your definition and will be accompanied by a summary of the reasons and evidence you will use to support the claim. You should develop and explain your evidence, and briefly address opposing viewpoints, in the body of the essay.

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