Ideas for Definition Papers

A definition paper explains what a term means and how it is used in the English language. This is an opportunity to use words that have multiple meanings and interpretations and explain them thoroughly to the reader. Topics for definition papers will engage the reader and give the reader insight into a term. The structure of a definition paper must include the definition of the word, an examination of the term, meanings of the term and examples of how the term is used.
  1. Religion

    • Religion is a category that can be interpreted several different ways. Topics under religion can include denominations, such as Christianity and Catholicism, modesty, virtues, and controversial terms that are associated with religion such as abortion or infidelity. When writing a definition paper on a religious topic, you need to research the views from more than one religion or area.

    Controversial Topics

    • Controversial words can generate a different response depending on the person. For a definition paper, you can use controversial terms such as abortion, global warming, gun control, evolution or discrimination as terms to define in your essay. These are terms that need to be defined in line with the dictionary. How the term is used and looked at by different generations, races or religions must also be included in the paper. For example, the term "discrimination" is typically thought of as a racial issue, but it can also be applied to religion, gender and age.

    Descriptive Words

    • The English language has numerous phrases that can take on a different meaning by those that state them or hear them. For example, the term "love" is used to describe a person's affection toward another, but it is also used to describe a person's enjoyment of a sandwich. Generic terms such as love, like, good or bad are terms used to describe feelings toward something, but do not take on the same meaning for everyone.

    Virtues and Traits

    • Virtues are used to describe people or even yourself. You can call yourself "kind," but what is kind to you and to another person can vary. One person may feel a person is kind for showing compassion toward others, while another person only describes a person as kind when he does volunteer work or makes a donation to a charity. Other words used to describe traits or virtues are honor, modesty, trust, dedication, maturity, integrity, intelligence, humor, personality, thrift, vanity or beauty. Find a word commonly used to describe something or someone. Then, think of other ways it can be interpreted or misleading. Come up with your own definition and compare it to the dictionary's definition.

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