Arguments of Definition
Intro:
Most of the prompts for this week ask for some form of definition—of rhetoric, professional
writing, technical writing, or some combination. Definitions explain a term or concept that is
specialized or unfamiliar to a particular audience. In other cases, the term may have more than
one meaning and a single definition must be established in order to move forward in an argument
or to complete a technical task.
When engaging in definition, you are confronting these primary questions:
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What is it?
What is it like?
How should it be classified?
How should it be interpreted?
How does its usual meaning change in a particular context?
Purpose and Claims:
A definition can be the main claim of an argument or it can function as a specific support to a
larger argument. The purpose of a definition is often to ground a particular issue or action—to
establish a particular context before the author or audience can move forward conceptually or
physically. In these cases, the extended definition often functions as the primary claim.
For example:
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Politicians need to define family before arguing about family values.
Art critics need to define what constitutes pornography in a particular context before
arguing that something is art or pornography.
Lawyers need to establish classifications of murder (self defense, crime of passion,
premeditated murder) before a jury finds someone guilty of murder.
Teachers need to establish an extended definition or description of an object such as a
solenoid or turbine before electrical engineering students enact a particular task or
tutorial.
Technical writers need to establish definition of an object, its function, or processes so
users can assemble or use a product.
Audience and Supports:
For definitions, it is important to determine whether your audience is general or technical.
Novices or a general audience will need references to everyday situations or terms and may need
simpler descriptions. Students will need both general and academic references and may need
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more detailed explanations. Experts will need references to disciplinary authorities and related
technical concepts and may only need shorter discussions. There are many kinds of supports that
function in these contexts.
For example:
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References to reliable sources that are accepted by the audience or disciplinary
community.
Analogies or comparisons to other concepts or situations that are clearly understood by
the audience and shed light on the concept being defined.
Real world examples, both historical and hypothetical, that highlight important aspects of
the definition in question.
Historical background and etymology of a term that provide important clarification in an
extended definition, especially for students and researchers.
Diagrams or graphics that represent an object or outline a process and are often used as
supports in technical documents.
Familiar terms or synonyms that clarify a technical term (e.g., a leaching field or sievelike drainage area).
Classifications and functions that extend a short definition (e.g., a carburetor is a mixing
device in gasoline engines that blends air and fuel into a vapor for combustion within
cylinders).
Arrangement or Form:
Definitional arguments can function across multiple genres: from academic articles to political
ads, or from classroom assignments to technical documents. Typical forms for these genres can
vary widely, but there are some typical organizational structures.
For example:
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Comparison/contrast as a larger organizational structure (e.g., discussing conventional
crime before defining white collar crime in contrast to it).
Topical organization in which qualities, characteristics, or functions of the concept are
identified and explained as distinct topics (somewhat like this handout).
Problem/solution structure in which the controversy or situation is explained and then
reasons are given for holding a particular definition in this context.
Organizational or operational sequence: a spatial sequence for describing how something
looks; a functional sequence for describing how something works; a chronological
sequence for defining historical events or technical processes; a logical sequence for
defining concepts.
Here is a basic outline for typical elements of extended definitions. This works primarily for
technical explanations but could also function as a basis for a "technical" definition of rhetoric
and its parts. Some or all of these could be used in each section.
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I. Introduction
• Definition, function, background.
• Purpose and audience.
• General description.
• Primary operation or function.
• List of major parts, elements, or stages.
II. Description and Function of Parts.
A. Element number 1 in the sequence:
• Definition.
• Shape, dimensions, material (including graphic depictions).
• Subparts.
• Function.
• Relation to adjoining parts or elements.
• Form of attachment.
B. Element number 2 in the sequence. (etc.)
III. Summary and Operating Description.
• Summary (if the definition is extended and complex).
• Description of the interrelation of the parts.
• Explanation or example of one complete operating cycle.
Gurak, Laura, and John Lannon. A Concise Guide to Technical Communication. 2nd ed. New
York: Pearson Longman, 2004.
Wood, Nancy. Perspectives on Argument. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice
Hall, 2004.
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