The Stipulative/Extended Definition

Using the examples of extended definitions that we discussed in class, research a
word or term that cannot be easily defined by supplying a single synonym. Select a
term that is part of your argument essay project. Reactive or abstract words work well
for this assignment. Then, write an extended definition defining that word or term.

Remember, stipulative or extended definitions stipulate or specify the definition of a
term in your own words. You will need to research the term for accuracy; however, the
final definition will be in your own words.

Your definition must be no less than two paragraphs in length, typed and double-spaced, and no more than one page in length. If your definition is a page long, this
will necessitate more than one paragraph because a paragraph is rarely a full page in
length. For example, if your term pertains to diabetes, you may assign one paragraph
to each of the different types of diabetes.

If your topic easily lends itself to a one-paragraph definition, remember that a
paragraph-length definition should be at least 6 or 8 sentences long with a topic
sentence that is clearly in the form of a synonym, class or definition by negation.

You will support your definition using one or more of the following:
examples, descriptions, comparisons, contrasts, causes, effects, reasons or analogies.

See the definition of ‘ambivalence’ in your hand out for ideas. This definition uses more
than one example to illustrate how the writer wants the reader to understand the term
‘ambivalence.’

In addition, you will need to provide one source for your term. This source will be a
signed article, that is, an article with a named author or authors. The author cannot be
the name of a website, an organization, club, or business. The article cannot be from
Wikipedia or any other collaborative site. You must locate an article using such sites as
Google Scholar or the Consortium Library on-line. The source may not be a .com
source. Any problem with the source and the assignment will be returned, unread for
revision.

See p. 493 of your text for the model for your title page and page 495 for a model of
your first page of text. Page 508 illustrates a Reference page format. You will have
only 1 entry.

In brief, you will develop the following:

 A pre-write sheet
 A correctly formatted outline
 An extended definition of no more than one page in length (250-300) words
 APA style title page, a correctly formatted page of text, and an APA reference page
recording the article you used in researching your word or term.
 The preferred method is to attach your essay to BlackBoard. You are then able to
include the correct APA formatting such as the header and pagination.