Eng 101: Definition Claim

Instructor DowlingEng 101: Definition Claim

Don’t you wonder what the dictionary would be like if we got to continually redefine the meanings of words according to our individual life experiences? Let’s find out what happens to abstract or difficult concepts like love, lust, and sex.

Standard Claim form for definition is: X represents Y because it has features A, B, C.

Purpose: You have read contemporary sources that deal with, whether indirectly or directly, the concept of SEX. You goal is to now write a definition claim that seeks to define SEX.

Works to consider:

Poems: “First Poem for You” Addonizio, “Lonely Hearts” Cope , “Sex Without Love” Olds, “you fit into me” Atwood, “Embrace” Collins, “Simile” Momaday, “Sous-entendu” Stevenson, “Most Like an Arch This Marriage” Ciardi, “The Silken Tent” Frost, “The Suitor” Kenyon

Short Stories: Atwood “Happy Endings”, “The Storm” Chopin, and “A Haunted House” Woolf

Assignment: You need to first start with your definition of what SEX is, contains, or embodies. List at least three elements. Then insert SEX for Y and your chosen work that best embodies your definition of SEX for X. Then, A, B, and C become your chosen elements. An example thesis looks like this: “you fit into me” by Margaret Atwood best defines sex because it examines elements of union, vulnerability, and frisson.

You must use three other works as refutation for your claim that one of the works best encapsulates your definition of SEX. (This means that in addition to your chosen work, you have to reference lines from three additional works you’ve read in this section which do not fit your definition.)

Make sure it’s clear why your readers should care about the topic and give them enough information to understand your position. At some point in your defining argument, explain to your readers why you think it’s important to define SEX. What are the implications of your claim?

Ask yourself, to whom does this argument? Who is your audience? Why should your claim matter to them? How will this audience’s needs and assumptions shape your argument strategy?

You essay should be a minimum of 4 (or more) pages long, typed, double-spaced, and carefully proofread. You should format your essay according to MLA guidelines and include an additional Works Cited page after four full pages of text.

Thesis and Outline – Due: Type up your Thesis and outline, and turn in one copy to me.

Rough Draft – Due (Bring 3 copies!!!) Your rough draft must be at least three pages

long, with a clear thesis and must show evidence of developing supporting detailed paragraphs.

Final Draft Due— Due (Turn in with all rough drafts!)

Instructor Evaluation / Essay #1 / Definition Claim

Writer ______Score______

Your essay has been read and evaluated based on the criteria listed on this prompt.