Arguments of Definition
Bethany Ingargiola
Instructor: Susan Hagan—ENL260-71
March 7, 2017
Presentation Assignment
Audience: ENL 260 Classmates
What is an Argument of Definition?
 “An argument in which the claim specifies that something does or
doesn’t meet the conditions or features set forth in a definition”
(Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz, 507)
 “Arguments of definition wield the power to say what someone or
something is or can be”
(Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz, 186)
 Can be used to include a point or exclude a point
 Help to define gray areas of an issue
Types of Definitions
There are three main types of definitions:
 Formal definitions
 Operational definitions
 Definitions by example
Formal Definitions
 A formal definition is one found in a dictionary. Genus (main category) and
species (subcategory of the main category) are used for terms of formal
definitions
(Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz, 189)
 Formal definitions are used to decide whether or not an object fits the
definition
 Example of genus and species:
 College students is the genus
 UMD Continuing Education students is the species

UMD Continuing Education students are a specific kind of college students.
Operational Definitions
 Operational definitions “identify an object or idea by what it does
or by what conditions create it”
(Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz, 190)
 The need for operational definitions arises when people disagree
about what the conditions define or whether or not the conditions
have been fulfilled
(Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz, 190)
Definitions by Example
 Definitions by example are used to “define a class by listing its
individual members”
(Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz, 192)
 May focus on who or what may be included in a list that defines a
category
(Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz, 193)
 Often involve compare and contrast of commonly accepted items
(in Toulmin terms, those commonly accepted items would be
warrants)
How to Develop a Definitional
Argument
Step One:
• Formulate a claim. A claim is a declarative statement which represents your initial
response, your gut reaction, your first impression of the situation.
(Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz, 194)
Step Two:

Devise a general definition. This general definition added to the claim is what
makes the argument an argument of definition.

Points the claim in the direction you wish to go

Can involve comparisons

BE SPECIFIC! Leave no room for interpretation. Your goal is for the reader to
undoubtedly agree with your claim.
(Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz, 194)
Step Three:

Check your definition against the subject of your essay. Make sure they match!
Writing a Definitional Argument
• The claim you have defined will lead you to your thesis. Don’t be afraid to leave the thesis
statement to the end of the paper as long as you allude to it in the beginning.
• The body of your essay is where you support your view with evidence and consider the
alternatives to your view. Toulmin will help you here! (claims, reasons, warrants, rebuttals,
evidence)
• Use the conclusion to pull everything together and make sure your reader will be pulled to your
side. Tip those scales in your favor!
• Don’t be afraid to use visuals. Readers can get lost in all the wording. Use a table, diagram, or
photo to make sure they’re seeing things your way.
(Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz, 202)
Works Cited
Lunsford, Andrea A., and John J. Ruszkiewicz. Everything’s an
Argument. 7th edition, Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin's,
2016. 185-209.
Lunsford, Andrea A., and John J. Ruszkiewicz. Everything’s an
Argument. 7th edition, Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin's,
2016. 505-515.