How to Write an Organized Definition Essay (5-Paragraphs)

The definition essay gives writers a chance to pick one element from his/her life and define what it means to him or her. Before entering advance level English courses in college, many basic college level English classes assign a mandatory 5-body paragraph definition essay. The purpose of this writing is to help writers have a thought, develop that thought, organize that thought, and stay on topic with that thought. Moreover, the definition essay helps students think about what that one element really means to them and could mean to others. Following these simple steps, I assure my readers that this type of writing is easy. My first step is just a few tips to keep in mind before writing your first draft of a definition essay. Step 2-6 is a step-by-step recipe to follow; each step contains the ingredients that belong in each body paragraph. Furthermore, in each step, I provide a sample paragraph that compliments those ingredients that are in each step.

Things You'll Need

• Time, patience, self discipline, and a place to write.

Instructions

1. 

   You should take some time to think about a simple element that you want to define. Once you decide what you want to define, be sure to think of at least three words that best define this element. Follow the recipe in the next 5 steps for a clear example.

2. 

   Introduction.
   a). Start off with about 3-4 sentences of general discussion of your topic. Think about the one term/element that you will be defining. Your general statement can simply be the definition that the dictionary uses.

   b). In about 2 sentences, mention some ideas of various ways that other people would possible define this element.

   c. In 1 clear sentence, state your thesis. Your thesis should be 3 keywords/phrases that define the element that you are discussing. Doing this will allow you to have a solid and organized guide to follow for your up coming 3 body paragraphs. Each paragraph will discuss the 3 words/phrases.

   Sample Introduction: Use the lower case letters in each paragraph as a checklist to help you see that all the ingrediants ferom the format appear.

   (a)Friends are an important part of every day life. Having a friend helps people get through hard times and good times. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the word "friend" means a person whom one knows, likes, and trusts. A friend is a person who is always there and two of more people who always spend time together. (b)For some people, friends are a group of people who always spend time together, talking, laughing, and doing favors for each other. For other people, a friend means being there for each other no matter what and not expecting anything in return. (c)For me, a friend is someone who is loyal, loving, and not selfish.

3. 

   Body 1.
   a). In about 2-3 sentences, explain the first word that you choose in your thesis that defines the word/element. Tell why this word best defines your element in a clear and concise manner.

   b). In about 3-4 sentences, provide a very clear and specific example to show
   your reader that your reason for this defining word is logical and easily
   works for you and for others. Your example should 100% support your
   reason from (a) in body 1.

   c). In 1 sentence, close off your paragraph.

   Sample of body paragraph 1:

   (a)The first thing that a friend should be is loyal. For me, loyalty means that your friend or friends are trustworthy. Having a friend that you can trust means that you can be fully open with him, her, or them, and this makes friendship much more enjoyable. (b)For example, there was one friend of mine who was not loyal; therefore, the friendship was not enjoyable. I was a seeing a girl at the time; however, my friend, whom I thought was loyal, ended up trying to date the girl. When I asked him to stop, he still pursued her. Because of such an action, I saw that my friend was not loyal, and I felt how much it hurt me. Because he was not loyal for that one action, I no longer trust him. (c)As a result of this betrayal from my friend, I now realize the importance of having a loyal friend.

4. 

   Body 2:
   a). Using a transitional phrase, in another set of 2-3 sentences, explain the
   second word from your thesis that defines your one element. Tell why
   this one word also best defines your one element in a clear and concise
   manner. Try to have a different explanation from your first.

   b) In about 3-4 sentences, provide a very clear and specific example to show
   your reader that your second word for this definition is logical and
   easily works for you and for others. Your example should 100% support
   your reason from (a) in body 2.

   c). In 1 sentence, close off your paragraph.

   Sample of body paragraph 2:

   (a)Someone who is loving also best defines "friend." For me, someone who is loving allows many people to never feel alone in a time of need, and this is important because when you have a loving person around you, it gives you strength to face any trial in life. (b)For instance, I have a friend who is very loving; she always calls to check up on me, especially during hard times. A few years ago, I lost someone very close to me, and I thought that I was not going to graduate high school. I was very much in distress, and with no questions asked, my friend was there for me and told me that she will stand by me to see me through this turbulent time. She never left my side; she held me, hugged me, and provided me with a shoulder to cry on for as long as I needed. (c) Now that is a loving friend whom I will cherish forever and know that I will always need in my life, and I want her to know that I am there for her

5. 

   Body 3:
   a). Using another transitional phrase, in another set of 2-3 sentences, explain
   the third word from your thesis. Tell why this word best defines your
   one element in a clear and concise manner. Try to
   have a different explanation from your first and second.

   b) In about 3-4 sentences, provide a very clear and specific example to show
   your reader that your third word for this definition is logical and
   easily works for you and for others. Your example should 100% support
   your reason from (a) in body 3.

   c). In 1 sentence, close off your paragraph.

   Sample of body paragraph 3 :

   (a)Finally, being unselfish also means being a friend. A friend who is unselfish is a friend because it means that this person will always share with you. Having an unselfish friend is important because it allows you to know that whenever you are in need of something, this person will always provide for you, which gives comfort. (b) After my father left us, we were dirt poor; my family and I were on the verge of losing our home; however, my friend, who is financially well off, loaned my family enough money to pay off our house and other bills. When my family and I asked him how and when does he want us to repay him, he told us to take three or four lifetimes if we need it. (c)This unselfish person is my family's and my friend; he shared his belongings with us without a second thought, and that provided comfort to know that there are good people out there.

6. 

   Conclusion:
   a). In about 2 sentences, restate your thesis. However, be sure that you
   use different wording when doing this.

   b). In about 3-4 sentences briefly re-mention all the examples of the
   words you chose to define your one element. Simply re-
   mention the specific examples in your body paragraphs. This will allow
   you to sum up your entire essay.

   c). In about 1-2 sentences, be sure to have a closing and intelligent
   thought to seal off your entire essay.

   Sample conclusion:

   (a)In conclusion, a person who is loyal, loving, and unselfish is a true friend. These characteristics are three things that build a strong foundation for a true friend. (b)One person who was in my life was not loyal; he tried to still my girlfriend away from me, and that made this person untrustworthy. On the other hand, when I lost a close person in my life, and I thought that I was not going to graduate, my one friend was very loving; she hugged me and provided a shoulder for me to cry on. Furthermore, when my family and I were on the verge of losing our home, one person provided us with the money to pay off our belongings so that we could keep everything; this act of unselfishness allowed my family and I find a friend in this person because he expected nothing in return. (c) Having friends in your life is a very important part of life, but people who have the three above characteristics allows you to see which people are friends and which people are not friends.

7. 

   Always be sure to edit for global organization and content, and be sure to proofread for any grammatical and mechanical errors within your sentence structure.

Tips & Warnings

• This is not the only way to write a definition essay. This is only one format to help writings become more trained in thought development and essay structure.