Category or class

Topic sentence
Terms Commonly Used for Defi nition
connotes includes 
signifi es
characteristics indicates 
suggests
consists of
is/is not 
symptoms
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PART 4
CREATING EFFECTIVE PARAGRAPHS
476
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WRITING A DEFINITION PARAGRAPH USING 
A STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH
Mastering any skill, including writing, requires a disciplined attitude. One way to 
master the skill of creating a piece of writing is to take a step-by-step approach, 
focusing on one issue at a time. This approach results in a minimum of stress. Another 
advantage is that the writer does not miss important points or misunderstand any 
part of the process. Of course, there are other ways to build effective paragraphs 
using defi nition as the method of development, but here is one logical method you 
can use that will always achieve good results.
Transitions Commonly Used for Defi nition
For multiple meanings: 
fi rst; second; third; in one case; in 
another case
For identifying characteristics: 
one trait; another trait
For examples: 
for example; for instance; like; such as
To show change over time: 
at one time; now
To specify: 
in particular; specifi cally; in fact
To add: 
also; in addition; furthermore
Step-by-Step Approach to Writing 
a Defi nition Paragraph
1. 
After you have selected a term, put that term into its larger class.
2. 
Give the term its identifying characteristics.
3. 
Construct your topic sentence. You may want to provide a framework around 
the term you are defi ning by putting it into a context of a specifi c time and 
place.