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6. The Definition Essay
A definition essay, like all essays, must have a beginning (the introductory paragraph), a middle (the
body paragraphs), and an end (the concluding paragraph). The definition essay, in particular, has the
goal of explaining what a word or term means. The definition essay often uses examples to develop its
main idea (although contrast, comparison, argumentation, and so on, can also be used).
Directions: Read each part of the abbreviated definition essay. Then, answer the corresponding
questions below.
Title
A Career in the Medical Field
This title Error! Filename not specified.provides the topic of the essay .
Points:
1 / 1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
This title clearly indicates the topic to the reader: "a career in the medical field." The writer will go on
to explore this topic in the essay.
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
(1) Growing up, I watched my parents go to jobs that paid the bills. (2) My mother worked as a
department store cashier and my father as a convenience store clerk. (3) For minimum wage, they
cleaned filthy aisles, got yelled at by grouchy customers, and were threatened with being fired if they
didn't work the prescribed schedule. (4) For this reason, I always knew that I wanted to support myself
by means of a career, not a job. (5) As I searched for a career, I found that many medical professions
fit my definition of having a career: work that is challenging, intellectually stimulating, and well-
compensated.
The thesis statement of a definition essay states the word or term that will be defined and then usually
defines it by synonym, class, or negation. What is the thesis statement of this essay?
(1) Growing up, I watched my parents go to jobs that paid the bills.
(5) As I searched for a career, I found that many medical professions fit my definition of having a
career: work that is challenging, intellectually stimulating, and well-compensated.
(3) For minimum wage, they cleaned filthy aisles, got yelled at by grouchy customers, and were
threatened with being fired if they didn't work the prescribed schedule.
Points:
1 / 1
What kind of definition is provided in the thesis?
Definition by class
Definition by negation
Definition by synonym
Points:
1 / 1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
The thesis statement states the main idea of the essay. The main idea of this essay is to define what a
"career" is. In the thesis statement, sentence 5, the essay topic is a "career," and the main idea is that
it is "work that is challenging, intellectually stimulating, and well-compensated."
Sentence 5 defines "career" by class. First, the writer places the word to be defined in a larger
category: "work." Then, the writer provides its distinguishing characteristics: "challenging, intellectually
stimulating, and well-compensated."
BODY PARAGRAPH
(6) One example of a medical career is a podiatrist, a licensed medical doctor who specializes in
treating the foot and lower leg. (7) After completing medical school and passing a license examination,
podiatrists can treat patients for foot problems in a hospital or private clinic. (8) In addition to getting
the daily challenge of diagnosing and caring for patients, people in this profession also receive high
pay for working on a largely self-created schedule. (9) According to Podiatry Management magazine,
podiatrists' median net income was $114,768 in 2008. (10) Altogether, the podiatrist enjoys a career
of stimulating and challenging work that does much more than pay the bills.
How does the writer develop the definition of a career in this paragraph?
A comparison between a career as a podiatrist and one as a radiologic technician
The specific example of a career as a podiatrist
An argument for a higher salary for podiatrists
Points:
1 / 1
What specific evidence does the writer provide as support in this paragraph?
The expensive vacations taken by podiatrists
The problems podiatrists treat
The poor pay of podiatrists
Points:
1 / 1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
One effective way for a writer to develop the body of a definition paragraph is to provide examples. A
good example of a career is a podiatrist.
By explaining the challenges of a podiatrist, this paragraph helps the reader better understand the
definition of a "career." Notice how the specific details about the daily challenges of a podiatrist
support the writer's thesis that a career offers intellectual stimulation.
BODY PARAGRAPH
(11) Another case in point of a career is a radiologic technician. (12) During their certification
program, radiologic technicians learn about many interesting topics, such as anatomy and physiology,
medical terminology, the principles of imaging, and medical ethics. (13) Radiologic technicians use
their specialized knowledge and critical skills every day to help diagnose patients. (14) In addition to
performing stimulating work, radiologic technicians enjoy a respectable salary. (15) According to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of radiologic technicians was $52,210. (16) The
combination of the rewarding work with patients, the use of cutting-edge medical technology, and the
fair wages earned makes becoming a radiologic technician a good example of a career.
What is the topic sentence of this paragraph?
(12) During their certification program, radiologic technicians learn about many interesting topics, such
as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, the principles of imaging, and medical ethics.
(11) Another case in point of a career is a radiologic technician.
(14) In addition to performing stimulating work, radiologic technicians enjoy a respectable salary.
Points:
1 / 1
How does the writer support the thesis statement in this paragraph?
The writer shows another example of the word being defined, a "career."
The writer makes another point in the argument against minimum wage.
The writer provides the process of becoming a certified radiological technician.
Points:
1 / 1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
In the thesis statement, the writer sets forth to define a career. One effective way to define a term is
through examples. Sentence 11 introduces a radiologic technician as another example of a career,
which is developed throughout the paragraph. Moreover, sentence 11 has the key ingredients of a
topic sentence. The topic is "a radiologic technician," and the controlling idea that this is another
example of a career. Therefore, the writer successfully links this topic sentence to the thesis by
repeating the key term of the essay, "career."
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
(17) Both of these examples have the ingredients of a career rather than just a job; (18) they are
challenging, stimulating, and well-paying. (19) In short, they have qualities that my parents never
enjoyed in the jobs they had. (20) Whether in the medical field, as explained in the previous examples,
or in another field, a career should balance intellectual challenges with financial rewards. (21) The
average American works more than 200 hours per month. (22) Do you really want to spend those
hours doing something that leaves your pockets empty and your mind dormant?
Reference: "Podiatrists." Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor. n.d. 19 May 2010;
"Radiologic Technologists and Technicians." Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor. n.d.
19 May 2010.
A good conclusion goes beyond summarizing the essay. What final point is found in the final
paragraph?
The long hours of the average American work month increase the importance of having a career
The definition of a career
The idea that the writer's parents had jobs that made them miserable, not careers
Points:
1 / 1
The conclusion ends with a Error! Filename not specified.question.
Points:
1 / 1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
The writer piques the reader's interest with the large amount of one's lifetime that is spent working.
This information impresses the importance of seeking a career. The final sentence asks a question that
the writer wants the reader to think about: what do you want to get out of all those hours at work?
