Page 362 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

Denial is a type of psychological defense mechanism that allows a

person to cope with a disturbing event by refusing to believe that it

exists. For instance, a parent confronted with evidence that his
child is using drugs might refuse to believe it. A person diagnosed

with a serious illness, such as cancer, might believe that she is

really healthy and that she has been misdiagnosed. When a loved one

dies, the first reaction is often disbelief. Denial does not solve a

problem, but it temporarily reduces the psychological discomfort that
it causes.

Paragraph B

To some, pottery may be simply a craft, but to me, it is a kind of
therapy. When I sit at my potter’s wheel, I am in control. A lump of

wet clay turns on the wheel and, under my hands, takes shape as a

bowl or a vase. As I shape the clay, life seems once again within my

control. If I can shape clay into a pot, I can handle a difficult

boss or a deadline at work. When I look at the lopsided pots and
homely pitchers I made when I first started, then see the symmetrical

urns and large, graceful bowls I now make, I have hope that whatever

situation I am facing, whether it is a problem with my health or with

a relationship, will improve. If practice can make me so much better

at pottery, then practice will also help me handle difficult times
with grace and humor. Pottery always helps restore my optimism and my

sense of control.

Which paragraph contains an objective definition?

List an example used in each paragraph.