Page 349 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

Definition, Classification, and

Process in Action

1 Identify definition, classification, and

process modes.

In this chapter , you have the opportunity to examine and use the

techniques of definition, classification, and process. In this text, each

technique is explained separately, although writers seldom use them

in isolation. Just as an aspiring tap dancer would learn and practice
the ball change, the shuffle-flap, and the hop-step separately before

employing them together to do the Shim Sham Shimmy, so is it useful

for writers to learn and practice techniques of writing separately before

using them together in a composition.

Before looking at definition, classification, and process separately,
examine the way that professional writers use the techniques in

combination, first in an essay by Letty Cottin Pogrebin, founding editor

of Ms. Magazine, and then in a poem by Emily Dickinson.