This paper requires you to write a definition of a technical or specialized term in your field of study to a “lay person.”
The essay will be approximately 2 – 3 typed page long. No research is required. 

The purpose of a definition essay is to provide readers with a clear, concise, grounded understanding of a technical word, term, or concept. This term must be in your field of study or major at JCC.  Focusing on one term will help you to gather facts that distinguish this term from other meanings.  For example, when I think of the word circumstantial evidence, as a layperson, I think about how my child clearly grabbed a cookie from the jar by the crumbs on his face. However, a police officer might think circumstantial evidence is proof of a crime. Keep in mind that part of this term also includes the word evidence.  Direct evidence is an eyewitness account complete with testimony and confession, whereas circumstantial evidence requires an intermediary (e.g. a judge and/or jury) to make a direct judgment, or inference, about what happened. One way to better understanding this term is to see its relationship to similar concepts. In the criminal justice system, many convictions are based on circumstantial evidence.  Increasingly, technology comes into play, and can both support a conviction or wrongfully accuse someone.  As you can see, defining this one word can be lengthy.

FIRST, choose one technical term in your field of study that has a complex meaning. You’ll want to choose a complex term that has multiple, possible meanings and is more open to multiple interpretations. For example, a house is clearly a building, but we all define home quite differently. Avoid obvious, simple terms that are understood by most people.

SECOND,  read the dictionary definition. This dictionary can be a basic dictionary like the Oxford English Dictionary, or it can be a specialized dictionary in your field of study. This is a good place to start.

THIRD, speak to people. What do others think this word means? How do their definitions align or detract from your understanding? What are 2 – 3 claims that you can explore that would make this term clear to me, your “lay” reader.

INTRODUCTION – Begin the essay with a clear statement of your technical term along with its traditional or dictionary definition.  This orients the reader and provides some context and gives the reader some basic level of knowledge about the word. At the end of the introduction state your thesis, that is, how you define this term and what you want the reader to remember.  Keep the definition in the thesis brief and basic.  Avoid using passive phrases (e.g. is where, is when, etc.).  Do not repeat part of the defined term in your definition.

BODY PARAGRAPHS – After the introduction, identify 2 -3  different ways to clarify the meaning of your chosen term. Below are some strategies that can be used in individual paragraphs to help define your word:

CONCLUSION – Briefly summarize your main points.  Don’t be overly detailed, but simply remind your reader of how you have distinguished this term. Mention why you chose to define this term. How and why is this term meaningful to you?   Leave a lasting impression on the reader.