Arguments of Definition

Presentation delivered to the English 104 class at Victor Valley College.

1. Arguments of Definition
English 104

2. Understanding Arguments of Definition
Definition arguments try to establish whether
someone or something belongs to a certain category
Examples:
Is a bear in the Rocky Mountains an endangered species?
Is an unsolicited kiss sexual harassment?
Is that person a man or a woman?
In order to answer each of the above questions, the definitions
of ‘endangered species,’ ‘sexual harassment,’ and ‘man/woman’
must be determined

3. Understanding Arguments of Definition
Many definitions are subject to debate and
controversy
Example:
‘Human intelligence’ can be defined as any of the following:
A capacity measurable using mathematical and verbal tests,
such as IQ and SAT scores
Ability to perform specific tasks
Emotional competence when relating to other people
•Some may argue that one of the definitions is more appropriate than
the others

4. Understanding Arguments of Definition
Arguments of definition can’t always be solved by
using a dictionary
Dictionary definitions can be limited in scope or pertain only
to a specific group’s usage
Dictionary definitions can reflect the prejudices of their writers
You can disagree with dictionary definitions or use
them only as starting points for arguments

5. Kinds of Definition
Formal definitions – the technical definition found
in references, such as dictionaries
Operational definitions – defining through the use
of a process or set of validation tests
Example: Using chromosomal tests to define a person’s
gender
Definitions by example – defining through the use
of classification and categorization, often using
compare and contrast
Example: Pluto is no longer classified as a planet because it
did not meet the same criteria as compared to the recognized
planets

6. Remember
You’re entering into a definition argument when you:
Formulate a controversial definition
Example: In the 21
st
century, what it means to be a woman has
taken on a new definition. No longer a simple issue of anatomy, we
now know that women aren’t always born; sometimes, boys can
grow up and become women too.
Challenge a definition
Example: Defining ‘woman’ based on genetics is limiting; instead,
gender should be determined by a person’s mental rather than
physical state.
Try to determine whether something fits an existing definition
Example: Although Geena Rocero was born a boy, she is a woman
based on her current anatomy and involvement in feminine
activities, such as beauty pageants.
Seek to broaden an existing definition
Example: Not all women are born with female genetic make-up;
there can be many ways to be a woman that go beyond the
boundaries of genes.

7. Works Cited
Lunsford, Andrea A., John J. Ruszkiewicz, and Keith Walters.
Everything’s an Argument with Readings. 6
th
ed. New
York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2013. Print.