Argument of Definition
Assignment: Write an argument of definition about a term that you feel to be culturally significant or
whose meaning you believe to have recently changed in some way. Either defend the way the term has
come to be defined or challenge the current definition, raising questions as to its accuracy,
appropriateness, efficacy, offensiveness, etc. Consider words and expressions such as liberal,
conservative, deep state, fake news, alternative facts, racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, White
supremacy, disability, marriage, gender identity, white privilege, identity politics, socialism, fascism,
political correctness, free speech, etc.
• Provide adequate background information regarding term you are discussing. This may include a
brief history of the term and its usage, as well as a definition of the term as it is currently used.
• Establish your position regarding the current definition in a clear thesis statement.
• Support the thesis with detailed discussions of relevant evidence, while also accounting for and
responding to possible objections.
• Conclude by summarizing your position, discussing its significance, and offering a powerful
emotional appeal.
Learning Objectives:
• To provide experience researching and thinking critically about controversial ideas and disputed
terminologies.
• To provide experience with engaging an on-going conversation conducted in and through written
texts.
• To provide practice with the strategies of academic writing, including close reading and critical
analysis, crafting thesis statements, crafting supporting paragraphs, responding to objections, and
incorporating sources.
Audience: MTSU Academic Community. Do not assume the audience has read the essays you are
discussing. Provide enough details about the author and the essay for the reader to understand both their
positions and your own.
Tips:
• Review Chapter 9 of your textbook for help thinking through the kinds of claims and strategies of
support typical of argumetns of definition.
• Use an umbrella thesis to make a strong statement regarding your position on the term you are
defining. Alternatively, use an enumerative thesis to lay out your position and supporting points
o Umbrella: Though unconventional, using term X to mean Y is absolutely right.
o Enumerative: People who use term X to mean Y are making a mistake; the term is not
only inaccurate, it actually distorts the truth, and as a result it feeds into some very
dangerous social narratives.
• In defending or challenging the term you have chosen, consider the different methods of
definition that may apply, including formal definition, operational definition, and definition by
example.
• For help organizing your essay, refer to the sample arguments of definition included in your
textbook on pages 218-23.
Requirements: 3-5 typed pages. Double Spaced. Include the standard assignment block in the upper
left hand corner (i.e. Your Name / Class Name / Instructor Name / Type of Assignment / Date). Use MLA
style and formatting throughout. Use the appropriate tone for an academic essay, as well as correct
grammar, spelling, and punctuation. This essay requires a minimum of three outside sources. All sources
must be cited both in the text of your essay and in a separate works cited page.
Due Dates: See Schedule.
Essay Assessment Sheet
Student ___ Final Grade
This Assessment sheet serves as an indication of where your essay is strong and weak. Use this information as a guide
when you write, revise, and edit your papers in the future. Remember: you can come in and talk to me about your
papers at any time during the process of writing them or 24 hours after they are returned to you. Each category uses the
Very Good to Weak scale; 100 total points are possible. Your grade is based on the points you receive out of those
possible 100 points and your final point score is calculated by applying the percentage of points out of 100 to the total
number of points possible for the specific assignment.
AREA SCORE OVERALL QUALITY SCORED CRITERIA
CONTENT _____ Very good *Interesting topic/title 5…4…3…2…1
30 points _____ Good * Clear significance 5…4…3…2…1
_____ Average * Meets the assignment 5…4…3…2…1
/30 _____ Needs improvement * Attention to Audience 5…4…3…2…1
_____ Weak * Strong support 5…4…3…2…1
*Vivid detail 5…4…3…2…1
ORGANIZATION _____ Very good
* Introduction 5…4…3…2…1
* Conclusion 5…4…3…2…1
30 points _____ Good * Development/control of ideas 5…4…3…2…1
/30 _____ Average * Logical sequencing of ideas 5…4…3…2…1
_____ Needs improvement * Transitions 5…4…3…2…1
_____ Weak * Unified paragraphs 5…4…3…2…1
Style _____ Very good * Accurate, precise word choice 5…4…3…2…1
20 points _____ Good * No wordiness 5…4…3…2…1
_____ Average * Tone/Voice 5…4…3…2…1
/20 _____ Needs improvement * Sentence variety 5…4…3…2…1
_____ Weak
GRAMMAR _____ Very good
* Misplaced or missing possessive apostrophes
3…2…1…0
15 points _____ Good
*Comma Use
3…2…1…0
_____ Average
* Sentence fragment
3…2…1…0
/15 _____ Needs improvement
*Agreement (s/v, p/a, tense)
3…2…1…0
_____ Weak * Run-on sentences 3…2…1…0
MECHANICS _____ Very good * Spelling/typos 2…1…0
5 points _____ Good * MLA style/Formatting 3…2…1…0
_____ Average
/5 _____ Needs improvement
_____ Weak
TOTAL
/100

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