Use Definition to Find Nonfiction Writing Ideas
A writing method often used by nonfiction writers involves using definitions to clarity points in the writing.
DEFINITION DEFINED Definitions are used to help readers understand abstract terms: intangibles or terms without any physical presence.
If you can sense it with your five senses, you will describe the object or item.
But for abstract terms, you will use a definition.
Definitions can be of any length.
You can use a single word or two to define something.
For example, beauty might be defined as a "pleasing appearance.
" You can also define a term using a entire sentence or paragraph, with the complexity of the term dictating the length of the definition.
You could also decide to use an entire chapter of a book to define the topic of your book, just to make sure you and your readers are thinking along the same lines.
And you could also write a really huge definition that could take an entire book.
If your topic involves a highly technical or complicated issue, you might want to include a glossary at the back of the book to hold all of the definitions for all of the terms in that book.
Definitions come in a variety of ways of defining a term.
You can define a term by its: * types * uses * functions * dictionary (denotation) and everyday definitions (connotation) * etymology or history of the word or term * parts * traits, aspects, or characteristics * users * benefits * negatives * negation of the term (that is, X is not...
) * Illustrations or examples * causes and/or effects.
WHEN TO USE IT Nonfiction writing will, at one time or another, use a definition in the writing.
Usually, these definitions use shorter lengths, but sometimes a longer definition is necessary to help the reader really understand the term or topic.
THREE EXAMPLES Types of love: parental love, puppy love, pet love, unconditional love, relationship love, as in love of a couple.
Uses of freedom: freedom to choose an occupation, freedom to choose your own mate, freedom to travel wherever you want.
Users of the Internet could include those who use it for email, finding people, research, selling products or services, shopping or comparing prices, connecting with friends and colleagues, and a host of other users.
QUESTIONS FOR DETERMINING ITS USE As you are writing, and later revising, look at each noun and ask yourself whether you need to define it for your readers.
1.
Is the term unknown to the reader, thus needing a fairly complete definition? 2.
Is the term familiar but needs to be defined as a reminder, thus needing a simpler definition? 3.
Is the term complicated and highly technical, to be included in a glossary (or not)? 4.
Can the definition help you explain your topic more clearly? 5.
How long should the definition be? a word or two, a paragraph or chapter, an entire book? 6.
What way of defining the term best suits your topic? (See the bullet points above.
) Definitions are a staple of nonfiction writing.
Do not overuse them, but definitely define all terms you think your readers might not understand.
DEFINITION DEFINED Definitions are used to help readers understand abstract terms: intangibles or terms without any physical presence.
If you can sense it with your five senses, you will describe the object or item.
But for abstract terms, you will use a definition.
Definitions can be of any length.
You can use a single word or two to define something.
For example, beauty might be defined as a "pleasing appearance.
" You can also define a term using a entire sentence or paragraph, with the complexity of the term dictating the length of the definition.
You could also decide to use an entire chapter of a book to define the topic of your book, just to make sure you and your readers are thinking along the same lines.
And you could also write a really huge definition that could take an entire book.
If your topic involves a highly technical or complicated issue, you might want to include a glossary at the back of the book to hold all of the definitions for all of the terms in that book.
Definitions come in a variety of ways of defining a term.
You can define a term by its: * types * uses * functions * dictionary (denotation) and everyday definitions (connotation) * etymology or history of the word or term * parts * traits, aspects, or characteristics * users * benefits * negatives * negation of the term (that is, X is not...
) * Illustrations or examples * causes and/or effects.
WHEN TO USE IT Nonfiction writing will, at one time or another, use a definition in the writing.
Usually, these definitions use shorter lengths, but sometimes a longer definition is necessary to help the reader really understand the term or topic.
THREE EXAMPLES Types of love: parental love, puppy love, pet love, unconditional love, relationship love, as in love of a couple.
Uses of freedom: freedom to choose an occupation, freedom to choose your own mate, freedom to travel wherever you want.
Users of the Internet could include those who use it for email, finding people, research, selling products or services, shopping or comparing prices, connecting with friends and colleagues, and a host of other users.
QUESTIONS FOR DETERMINING ITS USE As you are writing, and later revising, look at each noun and ask yourself whether you need to define it for your readers.
1.
Is the term unknown to the reader, thus needing a fairly complete definition? 2.
Is the term familiar but needs to be defined as a reminder, thus needing a simpler definition? 3.
Is the term complicated and highly technical, to be included in a glossary (or not)? 4.
Can the definition help you explain your topic more clearly? 5.
How long should the definition be? a word or two, a paragraph or chapter, an entire book? 6.
What way of defining the term best suits your topic? (See the bullet points above.
) Definitions are a staple of nonfiction writing.
Do not overuse them, but definitely define all terms you think your readers might not understand.
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