Page 363 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

Wordsmith’s Corner: Examples of

Writing Developed by Definition

Two student essays developed by definition follow. Read each and

answer the questions that follow.

Definition Essay 1

The writer of this essay takes an old subject—manners—and gives

the reader an updated definition.

Manners for the Twenty-First Century

When the older man let the door swing shut behind him,

I thought he did not see the woman entering the health
club behind him. She caught the door before it shut and

went through, holding it so I could enter behind her. As I

walked into the men’s locker room behind him, he said,

“I don’t hold doors for women anymore. These days,

women will tell you off if you try to hold a door for them.”