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October Fourth

Page history last edited by Sue Muecke 13 years, 6 months ago

Definition (n): the act of defining or making definite, distinct, or clear

 

 


 

Defining Definition Arguments

   

Why are definition arguments important? - Everything's an Argument pg. 252

  • "They define the concepts by which we live and operate."
    • What is freedom? Justice? 
  • "They wield the power to say what someone or something is or can be."
    • Does marriage include same-sex couples? 

 


 

Presenting...Project Two!

 

*Project Two information here*

 


 

What kinds of definition arguments are there?

 

  • Formal definition: 

    • places a term within a category and then sets criteria to distinguish the term from others in that category

 

  • Operational definition:

    • identifies a term by what it does or by what conditions create it

 

  • Definition by example:

    • describes a category by listing members of that category

 

 

How to make a definition argument

 

Arguments of definition arise from several kinds of disagreement:

  • disagreements about whether a term belongs in a certain category

    • is plagiarism cheating?

  • disagreements over criteria or conditions

    • what exactly must occur for a behavior to be called sexual harrassment?

    • what qualities define something as art?

 

You can formulate a definition argument by: - Everything's an Argument pg. 268

  • proposing a controversial or provocative definition

  • challenging an existing definition

  • asking whether something fits an existing definition

 


 

Two Possible Approaches to Project Two 

 

From all of the kinds of definitions and arguments listed above, we can distill two basic kinds of definition arguments, the categorical argument and the redefinition.

 

Categorical Definition

 

Thesis Template:

  • T: term being defined

  • C: category the term is being placed in (or excluded from)

  • X, Y, Z, etc.: the criteria that describe category C

    • T is/is not a C because X, Y, Z.

    • Video games are art because they are an expression of creativity and they give players an experience they can't get any other way.

 

  • Notice that we are really talking about the definition of art; the logic here is as follows: art can be defined as creative expression that provides unique experiences.  Video games meet the criteria in that definition.  Therefore, video games are art.

  • In your essay, you would need to do two things:

    • defend your definition of art - demonstrate why these criteria determine what is/isn't art

    • provide examples of how video games meet these criteria 

 

 

Redefinition

 

Thesis Template:

  • T: the term or concept being defined
  • D: the common or accepted definition of the term
  • N: the new definition you are proposing
    • While most people think T means D, I think it means N.

    • While courage is commonly associated with doing something dangerous, I think that real courage comes from defying people's expectations.

 

  • In this kind of argument, you need to establish clear criteria for your new definition of the term.

  • You'll need to support your definition with concrete examples that illustrate what the term is and what it isn't, and why.  For example:

    • Most people would say that firefighters are courageous for entering burning buildings; but the firefighters are simply doing their job and doing what is expected of them, so we should not consider their actions courageous.

    • Whereas a student who refuses to go out with friends so that he/she can study for an exam is courageous, because he/she is defying the expectations of his/her friends

 


   

Project Two Tips for Success

 

  • Choose an interesting term/concept/idea to define.

    • Unsure as to what constitutes an interesting idea?  Most controversial topics will lend themselves well to this project.

    • Feel free to check out the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center for potential paper topics.  The Resource Center can be accessed through the library's ENG 1020 page found here.

  • OR take a term with a readily accepted definition and examine it in a new way.

    • Think of our "courage" example and the way it redefines the firefighters' actions.

  • Make sure that your definition is original, thought-provoking, and controversial (i.e. make sure that you are making an argument!).

  • Look at the implications/consequences of your definition.

    • If you define a "person" as the individual existence that comes into being at the point of conception, what does that do to the issue of abortion?

  • Choose a specific, interesting audience.

    • That audience will most likely NOT be your classmates and me.

 


 

Assignment for Wednesday:

  • Begin thinking of possible paper topics for Project Two.

 

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