60 Writing Topics for Extended Definitions

Simply put, a definition is a statement of the meaning of a word or phrase. An extended definition goes beyond what can be found in a dictionary,  offering an expanded analysis and illustration  of a concept that might be abstract, controversial, unfamiliar, or frequently misunderstood. Take, for example, writings such as William James Pragmatic Theory of Truth or John Bergers The Meaning of Home. Approaching the Abstract Abstract concepts, including many of the broad terms in the list that follows, need to be brought to earth with an example to relate what they mean to your reader and to get your point or opinion across. You could illustrate the concepts with anecdotes from your personal life or examples from the news or current events, or write an opinion piece.  Theres no single method for  developing  and  organizing  a paragraph or essay by extended definition. The 60 concepts listed here can be defined in various ways and from different points of view. Brainstorming and Prewriting Start with brainstorming your topic. If you work well with lists, write the word at the top of the paper and fill the rest of the page with all the things that the word makes you think of, feel, see, or even smell, without stopping. Its OK to go off on tangents, as you might find a surprising connection that could make a powerful, insightful, or even humorous essay. Alternatively, brainstorm by writing the word in the middle of your paper and connect other related words to it and each other. As you develop your angle, think about the concepts background, features, characteristics, and parts. What is the concepts opposite? What are its effects on you or others? Something in your list or word map will spark a writing idea or theme to use to illustrate the abstract concept, and then its off to the races. If you run into a dead end the first time, go back to your list and pick another idea. Its possible that your first draft turns out to be prewriting and leads to a better idea that can be developed further and can possibly even incorporate the prewriting exercise. Time spent writing is time spent exploring and is never wasted, as sometimes it takes a bit of pursuit to discover the perfect idea. If seeing examples will help spark your essay, take a look at Gifts, by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Gore Vidals Definition of Prettiness, or A Definition of Pantomime, by Julian Barnes. 60 Topic Suggestions Looking for a place to start? Here are 60 words and phrases so broad that writings on them could be infinite: TrustKindnessSexismGumptionRacismSportsmanshipHonorModestySelf-assuranceHumilityDedicationSensitivityPeace of mindRespectAmbitionRight to privacyGenerosityLazinessCharismaCommon senseTeam playerMaturityIntegrityHealthy appetiteFrustrationOptimismSense of humorLiberalConservativeA good (or bad) teacher or professorPhysical fitnessFeminismA happy marriageTrue friendshipCourageCitizenshipSuccessA good (or bad) coachIntelligencePersonalityA good (or bad) roommatePolitical correctnessPeer pressureLeadershipPersistenceResponsibilityHuman rightsSophisticationSelf-respectHeroismThriftSlothVanityPrideBeautyGreedVirtueProgressA good (or bad) bossA good (or bad) parent

First Phase of Foundation of Indian National Congress

3/4/13 First phase of Foundation of Indian National Congress First phase of Foundation of Indian National Congress - Inform ative researched article on First phase of Foundation of Indian National Congress Sign in | Register Now History of India Art Culture | Entertainment | Health | Reference | Sports | Society | Travel in Articles Go Forum | Free E-magazine | RSS Feeds History of India : Sources of History of India | Ancient History of India | Medieval History of India | Modern History of India | Indian Historical Dynasties | Indian Battles | Sepoy Mutiny 1857 | Indian Rulers | History of India | Indian Freedom Struggle | Indian Governor- Generals | British Indian Acts | Post Independence India | Iron Age in†¦show more content†¦Ignorant of the misery of the s common people, the moderates followed the policy of constitutionalism. They only wanted the s right to self-government, which would strengthen their own position in the field of administration. Moreover the delegates of the Indian National Congress were mostly drawn from the cities and hardly any direct contact with the common run of men. The congress leaders were full of admiration for the British history and culture. It was their essential faith that the British rule in India had some positive effects on the s land and culture of India. Henceforth they looked upon the British Gover nment not as an antagonist but as their ally. Therefore they believed in the policy of constitutionalism in order to seek their rights and liberties from the British Government. In the course of time they believed that the British Government would help them to acquire the capacity of self-government in the pattern of the west. Thus these educated intellectuals strongly believed that the chief www.indianetzone.com/24/first_phase_foundation_indian_national_congress.htm 1/3 3/4/13 First phase of Foundation of Indian National Congress obstacle in the way of India`s progress was not the British colonial rule but the socioeconomic backwardness of the British government. Not the independence, rather the socioeconomic progress of India was the sole motto of the moderate leaders of the INC, during the firsts phase. The moderateShow MoreRelatedWomen Movement in India5580 Words   |  23 PagesFoundation Course 1 Human Rights, Gender and Environment Indian Women’s Movement Aparna Basuâˆâ€" The roots of the Indian women’s movement go back to the nineteenth century male social reformers who took up issues concerning women and started women’s organizations. Women started forming their own organization from the end of the nineteenth century first at the local and then at the national level. 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Definition of Groupthink. Retrieved from free essay sample

I have always had a different idea of what groupthink really means, to me I thought of it as a bad idea from someone amongst a group of people that had not been voiced seemingly because the person having this thought lacks confidence or backing. More like trying to proof to your business partners that an idea of using an outdated tactic to target a young crowd is not the best idea In its own definition Wikipedia(2013) describes groupthink as a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people, in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an incorrect or deviant decision- making outcome, whereas it can also be viewed as the practice of thinking or making decisions as a group in a way that discourages creativity or individual responsibility. All different versions of what it is but also giving a detailed well round idea and description. We will write a custom essay sample on Definition of Groupthink. Retrieved from or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Good examples of groupthink situations as studied by Janis in the book â€Å"fiascoes† are such as the United States government failure to anticipate the Pearl Harbor attacks, the Bay of Pigs invasion, the escalation of Vietnam War, and the ill-fated hostage rescue in Iran (Janis,1972) Some recent past examples of groupthink would be in the hastened decision making of the Bush administration and Congress to pursue an invasion of Iraq based on a policy of â€Å"preemptive use of military force against terrorists and rogue nations.† It is definitely an undeniable fact that groupthink has been a large part of decision making in the United States government for a long time. As we speak, arguably the best current example of groupthink that the American government is facing is the Obama Care. This is so because some might see it as a majority of democrat leaders refusing to see or identify with different ideas that are outside theirs, thus leading to what psychologist consider as a mental deficiency commonly known as groupthink. â€Å"Groups affected by groupthink ignore alternatives and tend to take irrational actions that dehumanize other groups† (Janis, 1972). I found it rather interesting reading the article by the net advisor to bring out reasons as to why the Obama care was created under the influence of groupthink. The net advisor article reads â€Å"the patient protection and affordable care act or â€Å"Obama Care† was passed by majority of the then Democratic House. The house leadership under Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) refused to allow the US senate of any party to even consider debating, let alone voting on Obama care. The house by passed the entire U.S. senate by using a controversial self-executing rule or â€Å"deem and pass† procedure then quickly sent it to president Obama to sign†(Net advisor). This brings out the question, what if the Democratic Party had not made such an irrational decision to pass the Obama Care, would it have made any difference in the case of the government shutdown. Since the main reason that led to most of the republican members to oppose raising the debt ceiling that would have prevented the government from shutting down was primarily a disagreement in the Obama care. This is arguable in both sides since the republican party might also have made a groupthink decision to prevent the Obama care under any circumstances, leading to a government shutdown that has dented the government debt even more, ironically an issue that they (republican party) are trying to avoid with the Obama care. The united states is established in two well defined parties and many are the times that the conflicting views from each party, makes it harder to make any decisions or view the others opinion. Hopefully in the future the decisions from our leaders can be viewed in a more universal dimension, thus the administrators of our president can challenge each other to eliminate groupthink. References Janis, I (1972, Victims of groupthink (1st edition ed) retrieved from http:// leadership theory 3450.blogspot.com Obama care is an example of Groupthink gone wrong. Retrieved from http://netadvisor.org/2013/09/26. Definition of Groupthink. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupthink