ELEMENTS OF GREAT WRITING

What Is a Definition Paragraph?A definition paragraph defines a word, a phrase, or an idea. A definition paragraph might define the word gossip and give examples. Another definition paragraph might define the phrase a true friend and give examples that help readers understand the phrase better.

A definition paragraph:• explains what something is• gives facts, details, and examples to make the definition clear to readers

In an essay, it is common to have one paragraph that defines a word or a phrase before the writer gets to his or her main points. For example, in an essay about the effects of gossip, the writer might use paragraph 2 to define the word gossip. Thus, a definition paragraph can be a very important part of a well-written essay.

ACTIVITY 1 | Analyzing a definition paragraphRead the paragraph and answer the questions that follow.

WORDS TO KNOW Paragraph 6.1

destroy: (v) to ruin or put an end toon purpose: (phr) not by accident

private: (adj) secret or personalrange: (v) to extend (from X to Y)

PARAGRAPH 6.1

GossipAccording to The Newbury House Dictionary of American English, gossip is “talk

or writing about other people’s actions or lives, sometimes untruthful.” For example, if someone sees a friend crying, and then tells someone else that the friend was crying and has emotional problems, this is gossip. At first, gossip might not seem bad. One person tells a second person something private about someone else, and that second person tells a third, and so on. The information passes from person to person. However, gossip is much more than just information. The gossip can grow and change. People often do not know all the facts. They may add something untrue, either on purpose or not. As a result, the person who is the subject of the gossip may be hurt. Because the results range from making the person feel bad to destroying his or her career, gossip is much worse than just “talk or writing.”

104 UNIT 6 • Definition Paragraphs

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