define a comprehensive essay

How to Write an Essay - A Professional Step-By-Step Guide

• How to write an A+ grade Essay

19 common types of Essays students write

Phrases that dictate the type of essay you will write.

• Tips for writing a comprehensive essay

The standard format of an academic essay

• Great essay checklist
• 9 Common essay writing mistakes and how to avoid them
• FAQs about writing an essay

Here is a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to write a good essay. We cover this topic because essay writing is an important practice that equips you with writing skills to survive academics and the real world.

As a student, you are forever condemned to write good essays, contributing to your GPA. While a good deal might consider the process easy, many students need guidance on writing a good essay.

If your main worry is how to write an essay that scores you a good mark on the Rubric, this in-depth, step-by-step essay writing tutorial will be useful. Any student who wishes to achieve an A+ in their essay must ensure that they utilize this detailed guide.

We believe that this comprehensive guide on how to write a good essay will help any student easily score an A. It does not matter the topic you've chosen; so long as you follow these ten steps to writing, check samples of well-written essays, and proofread your papers well, you will succeed. If you are a parent seeking a great essay writing resource, this tutorial is the best on the internet.

We make writing essays such an easy task that all you have left is to ask when you are being assigned an essay next. Our website offers reliable essay help services, which you could use. However, if you want to take the bull by its horns, here is our comprehensive beginner's guide to writing an essay.

10 Steps to write an A+ Grade Essay: The Essay Writing Process

The following steps will help you write an essay, starting with nothing but the essay instructions (prompt and Rubric) and ending with a well-crafted comprehensive essay. We are determined to share this tips so that you make a top-quality essay that has clarity, wonderful organization, and a good flow of ideas.

Step 1: Read the essay prompt and instructions

Although overlooked, getting familiar with any assignment is vital to understanding what your professor, instructor, or teacher is asking for before even starting to write your essay.

Most students give in to the temptation of skipping this step and then end up with a low grade on an essay they probably spent a lot of time on or had high hopes of scoring a better grade. The primary source of poor essay grades is consistently failing to read the instructions.

Take some time to go over the assignment, understand it, and ask your professor/instructor for clarification early enough. You must carefully go through the prompts, grading Rubric, or any material given alongside the essay assignment. The better if you can highlight and take brief notes on your essay assignment.

Reading the instructions helps you understand how the essay will be graded and what your instructor wants to see for them to give you the best grades. With the instructions understood, you are on the right track to writing a good essay.

Step 2: Select a suitable topic for your essay

Understanding what you are being asked to write in your essay is now time to decide what to write about. Typically, you can't just begin writing about everything; an essay is a specific paper that focuses on a single topic.

This is the most daunting of the essay writing processes, but do not get agitated. Although some instructors will give you essay topics to write about, it is usually never given. Instead, in most cases, instructors prefer that students write essays on topics of their choice, leaving you with an elephant hill to climb. Trust us, none of the two options is a walk in the park.

Given that students mostly have to choose from a myriad of ideas when generating topics and get limited to specific topics from the instructors. It becomes a quagmire either way. But let that not confuse you, not with this comprehensive essay guide, never!

Let's crunch the process of choosing a suitable topic for your essay.

Simple steps to choose a pleasant topic for your essay

We can sum up the process of choosing an excellent topic to this statement: Choose a topic that can reasonably address the essay length and one you will most likely have fun writing your essay. A reasonable topic is not too narrow or too broad; it interests you and has research resources that can support your arguments or thesis.

If you are wondering how to choose a good topic, here are some critical seven steps to follow:

• Re-read the assignment instructions. Although you are probably familiar with the instructions, skim them and your notes. This way, you can visualize the structure of the paper and choose an exciting topic that befits the essay you are about to write. In addition, you can go back to the clarification your professor or instructor gave in case you sent a clarification email or messaged them over Canvas.
• Brainstorm your topics. If you are to select the best topic, brainstorm by developing different ideas and looking up general information. This is a stage where you can comfortably use sources such as Wikipedia, which are forbidden to be cited in academic essays. Information search when developing a topic helps you widen your scope of understanding and visualize your essay's thesis or main arguments. When you have all the information, select a suitable topic that appeals to you and meets the essay requirements.
• Focus on a single topic. You only have limited words to write an essay, so you would technically want to keep everything focused. As you select the topic, focus on a narrow topic, but not too narrow to impact your research. Do not choose too broad topics, because you will struggle to write without overgeneralizing.
• List the valuable keywords. When you've settled for a topic or a given direction, list the words that matter when describing, explaining, or analyzing a topic. Then, you can use them in crafting a title for your essay.
• Close in on one topic. You'll probably end up with many topics and have 2-3 topics of preference. At this point, you select one among those and die with it to the end of your essay or change it if you experience challenges.
• Research about the topic. Now that you have the topic, you should research more about it and proceed to the last step below.
• Formulate a title. After you've narrowed it down to a topic, use the keywords you found when researching to formulate a good title for your essay.

Guidelines/tips when choosing essay topics

In academic writing, two events are likely when choosing a topic: (i) you are assigned a specific topic or asked to choose among several, and (ii) you can be asked to come up with a topic and write your essay or send the topic for approval.

When you have to choose your own topic, keep these five tips in mind:

• Select a topic that is appropriate to the essay's length. We have seen students pick topics that are too broad to cover in a short or long essay, which denies them the chance of scoring an A+ on an essay. We urge you to select narrow topics that often lead to close observation instead of broad topics resulting in overgeneralization . This applies to every essay you write: five-page, two- or three-page, six- or ten-page, descriptive , or personal essays . But, again, don't choose a topic that is too narrow that you lack enough to write about or have difficulty finding research sources.
• Choose a topic that interests you. If you suck at writing about cigarettes and alcohol and lean more towards history, go for essay topics on history and run with the topic to an excellent grade. If you pick a topic that interests you, you will probably have more to say. Chances also are that you will write better. Ultimately, you impress the reader: your professor or instructor, and take the best grades home.
• Do not summarize but analyze and discuss. If, for instance, you are writing about The Great Gatsby , avoid the temptation of choosing the entire plot. Instead, choose specific characters, actions, or plot parts that display a given theme. The latter allows you to narrow down to a specific and reasonable thesis.
• Choose a topic you can find material. Even when writing a personal narrative essay or personal statement, you need to ensure that you have the right content to fulfill the requirements of the essay. If you have to use research, although you are not writing a research paper, select a topic where you can find good scholarly sources to support the ideas and develop coherent claims and arguments.
• Be flexible with your topic . After picking a topic, be open to changing it if it seems not working. Instructors love it when you write a good essay rather than grinding out pages and sweating over something with a regrettable topic: a reflection of a poor choice.

Step 3: Research your chosen topic

The moment of truth is finally here: research! Although different people have their own research approach, making it the most flexible essay writing process, you must remain focused and do it fast. After all, you do not have forever to write your essay.

Three quick things about researching your topic: skim, find reliable scholarly sources, and do not ignore/overlook any information.

By skimming, we mean that you do not have to read the entire internet, book, journal, or articles about everything that has been written about your topic. The truth is, you probably can't: technically, it is impossible. So, you should scan things and identify the major points or arguments without bogging down and reading every word you find.

You should find reliable sources to use in your essay. As mentioned, non-scholarly sources like Wikipedia can be used when writing an essay. However, you cannot use them as a definitive source. Instead, you use such general sources as Wikipedia to familiarize yourself with the topic, generate keywords that drive your research, and get a summary of a large pool of information available. However, for the information you will cite in your essay, you must find reliable sources such as books, journals, articles, etc.

After seeding the keywords from general sources, dig deeper into the internet and academic databases or ask an expert where you can find reliable sources: a librarian can come in handy.

Note: You can use Wikipedia for your initial research, but you should never use it as a source for your essay.

Lastly, avoid overlooking or ignoring information. Any article will say whatever it says. Just because an article claims something is wrong or true does not mean it is a proven fact to use in your essay. So, it would help if you verified by researching deeper to find the right facts. Correlate findings from one author with those of authors writing on the same topic for the information's relevance, credibility, and authenticity.

Step 5: Organize your Research

So now that you have all the information you would need, you need to have it organized to make work easier. This is also another essay process that allows flexibility: most people have diverse preferences for organizing information. After all, the end justifies the means here.

You can create a bibliography now that you've selected the best resources. MS Word document allows you to enter bibliography information. Alternatively, you can use online citation tools to organize your bibliography. Online digital bibliography tools help link to sources you found online and can always refer to.

Organizing research helps you to cite every idea as you read and write your essay. For example, instead of writing a paper and then citing later, which often leads to poor in-text citations. Therefore, citing the essay as you write the first draft is advisable.

Besides, it is also a great idea if you have to submit or turn in a bibliography alongside an outline or an annotated bibliography before getting the go-ahead to write your essay.

Either way, create a bibliography that meets the requirements of your essay. Another organization strategy is having your articles bookmarked, downloaded, and saved in a specific folder. Other people prefer writing and printing a list of resources; if it is your thing, go for it!

Step 6: Formulate a strong thesis: the working thesis

At this stage, you have owned your essay writing process. You know what is required of you, have the right topic, and have researched and organized your research. You are ready to formulate your argument, assertion, claim, or opinion. Even when there is nothing apparent to argue against, your paper needs a strong thesis statement.

Find out more about writing a thesis statement for your essay .

You must create a specific, arguable, and strong thesis statement for your essay. Our professional essay writers agree that this is the most critical part after choosing a topic because it defines the direction and scope of your essay.

A thesis is a succinct statement, usually a sentence or two, that you put forward to your readers as to what you are writing about or proving. It is the central argument or idea of your essay. It simply defines what the essay is all about.

A good thesis statement helps you to develop solid arguments and allows you the flexibility to test your ideas. For example, when developing the thesis, you can begin with a one-sentence answer: what is my essay about?

Suppose, for example, you are writing an animal testing essay. In that case, the answer could be something like this: My paper is about the abuse of animal rights by including them in research when there are alternative methods to animal testing.

Suppose you are writing about university policies on freshmen living on campus. In that case, it could read: My essay is about university policies on freshmen students living on campus.

Your essay can be about how media influences children, which means your one-sentence statement can be: My essay is about how media can influence children.

That does not sound hard, does it? However, this is just the beginning. Most students stop here and present this as a thesis statement, only to be disgruntled when an instructor grades their essays poorly.

The truth is that you have to have a definitive thesis that is not about yourself. So, for example, the above statements would transform to:

• Research has proven that there are better alternatives to animal testing, especially for the cosmetics industry, which can be pursued to save animals from unnecessary pain when used in research.
• Most colleges and universities make it mandatory for freshmen students to live on campus during their first year, which helps keep them out of trouble, enables them to concentrate on their studies for better grades, and improves their social skills.
• Media, specifically television, plays a significant role in the lives of children, so it can influence them positively or negatively depending on the programming content.

You can see the glaring differences between the first two sentences in which we began drafting the essay and the second working thesis statement. The bottom line is to eliminate boring words such as "my paper argues," "my paper is about," "this essay argues that," or "I think." Such will automatically lead to lower grades on your essay.

Avoid being too vague but make a powerful statement that makes a specific point about the topic. When crafting your strong thesis statement, ensure that it is arguable. It does not necessarily mean that you choose a controversial or opinionated thesis; it means that someone could disagree with it altogether. Such an approach helps you to create a powerful thesis. The thesis is called a working thesis because it is possible to tweak it as you write the paper.

Step 7: Create a comprehensive essay outline

You now have great ideas from your research and a working thesis. Besides organizing the research, you must organize the ideas for an impressive presentation. Creating an essay outline is a vital step, lack of which your essay will most likely lose its focus, and you'll probably spend more time revising the draft to make sense of the scattered points and thoughts.

An outline is a blueprint or a roadmap for your essay - it helps you structure your paper. For example, you probably wrote three or five-paragraph essays in high school. Maintaining the same structure when writing college, university, and graduate-level essays is okay. However, the specific format you choose should align with the length requirements, the aim of your essay, and the scope of your thesis.

When creating the outline, think critically about the central idea of your thesis, then structure your essay to organize the flow of ideas.

General Essay Outline

Here is a sample general outline for an essay. You can use it to craft your own based on your topic.

I. Introduction

• Hook statement e.g., statistics, quote, or anecdote
• Thesis statement

II. Body Paragraphs (Three)

• Topic sentence supporting the thesis
• Evidence supporting the argument on (a): data, facts, examples.
• Explain how they relate to the thesis
• Closing sentence and transition to the next paragraph

III. Conclusion

• Restate the thesis
• Summary/Synthesis
• Importance of topic
• Strong closing statement

Typical Structure for an Academic Essay

Remember that most essays follow the five-paragraph format ; when writing an academic essay in English, it will be divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Below is a visual representation of the structure of an ideal essay. You can adapt it when writing your next essay assignment.

Image credit: Bethlehem College and Seminary

Step 8: Write the essay systematically

With everything else done thus far, it is finally the time the rubber meets the road. Although you might feel you should have started writing sooner, your progress so far is critical and rewarding. It will enable you to create a strong, well-organized, interesting essay.

A warning, though: DO NOT be a perfectionist when writing. Do not give in to the hype of finding the perfect words, focusing too much on excellent subtitles or grammar, or at least making everything in your essay perfect. There is time to polish and perfect your essay. But right now, write.

We have outlined in-depth how to write an eye-catching essay introduction in a separate guide to help you craft introductions that stand out and grab the readers' attention. Of course, any essay writer would tell you that your main focus should be on the reader's attention. So, most importantly, begin your introduction with an essay hook or an attention grabbers such as a statistic, alarming fact, general thought, anecdote, or quote. The introduction should also have a background statement and then be finalized with your thesis. Sometimes, your instructor might ask you to write the roadmap of your essay after the thesis, where you highlight how points are laid down in the body paragraphs and conclusion.

You should have a good paragraph when undertaking academic essay writing. An introduction has different parts, including:

• Essay hook: This is your first sentence, also called the attention grabber. It can be a quote, statistic, fact, anecdote, rhetorical question, or unique statement.
• Background information : You should have two sentences explaining the topic.
• Thesis statement : the thesis statement should feature the argument or chief topic of the essay.
• Outline : Your introduction should let the reader know the logical arrangement of the essay.
• Scope : In this introduction section, narrow the essay's focus.

With the outline, it is time to fill the flesh to the skeleton to make sense of it. If you evolve and find out you need to tweak your outline, you have all the freedom on Earth and outer space. The main issue here is to maintain a focus on your thesis by providing evidence, facts, and points that support the thesis.

Each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence, the arguments and relevant evidence to support it, and finally, the closing sentence. The closing sentence transitions your reader to the following body paragraph. As you write, remember only to maintain one key idea/point per each body paragraph: do not jumble up the points to the extent of confusing your readers.

In terms of paragraph length, maintain a word count of 150 words per paragraph or balance 80% of the total essay word count among the paragraphs. Mix short and long sentences as you present evidence, give examples, and illustrate points. The paragraphs can have 5 to 7 sentences each, where you thoroughly support the topic sentence.

When writing the body paragraph, use appropriate sentences to connect the paragraphs. Besides, back your arguments using evidence from literature through in-text citations. Finally, your concluding sentences should summarize a paragraph by restating the central point of the paragraph and including transitions to the next paragraph. Ensure that your body paragraphs have:

• Topic Sentence: This should be the chief argument of the paragraph. It comes first.
• Supporting sentence using evidence: Here, use information from credible sources such as journals, books, government websites, and periodicals to support the topic sentence. Use the relevant transition words to bring flow to your essay.
• The concluding sentence: This sentence winds up the paragraph. It should give a transition to the next paragraph for a good flow.

Wind up the essay by writing a powerful conclusion. Look at our guide to writing solid conclusion paragraphs for your essays. In a nutshell, the conclusion is the final paragraph of your essay. A firm conclusion is neatly written, clear, concise, and elaborate. A strong conclusion is necessary because:

• It shows the value of your argument and why it matters.
• It leaves the readers with a strong impression of your essay writing prowess
• it ties together the focal points in your essay.
• Restates your essay's thesis in a rephrased style to show its development from the introduction through the body paragraphs.
• Reviews the major points in your essay in summary form.

Since your conclusion offers some sense of closure or ends to your argument, it must be written well. In addition, it must show new questions or possibilities that your argument has opened up.

When writing a conclusion, never introduce new evidence. Any evidence supporting the thesis is expected to be already in the body paragraphs. Therefore, you are not allowed to introduce new ideas or sources that need further explanation.

Also, avoid cliché words like in conclusion to sum up or in summary. Although the statements are not forbidden, they water down your writing, making it sound weak. Immediately you return to your thesis; it becomes clear to a reader that you are concluding the essay .

Another tip, when concluding, do not to undermine your argument. This means that you should avoid using apologetic phrases that are uncertain and appear confusing. Even when exploring many positions, your main argument should be clear to your reader.

To write a great conclusion for your essay :

• Present a rephrased version of the overall thesis statement
• Write a brief review of the key points in your body paragraphs
• Show why your argument matters
• Reflect on the broader implications of your argument, demonstrating how your ideas can be applied in different contexts.
• Ensure it is 10-15% of the total word count for the essay

Step 9: Make your Reference and Title pages

So, you've slain the dragon already; what remains is just a bit, and you are done. Assuming you were writing your essay as you insert the in-text citations, the second last ritual is to set up your reference page, which is the last page of your essay.

When writing the references, reference list, bibliography, or works cited page, strictly adhere to each style's formatting and style requirements. Online bibliography makers allow you to save your organized bibliography and change the format without losing the entries. The same applies to the bibliography feature on MS Word.

If you use the digital bibliography, copy and paste your references and format them accordingly.

After the reference page, create a relevant title page for your essay , depending on whether it is in MLA (Modern Language Association), Harvard, Chicago, or APA (American Psychological Association) format. Ensure you use the latest formatting styles, such as MLA 8 or 9 and APA 7 or otherwise directed.

Step 10: Proofread, edit, and polish your first draft into a final draft

The final ritual in the essay writing process is to review it and edit for content and grammar before submitting your essay.

Usually, you need to pause after creating the first draft of your essay and do the revision and polishing when your mind is free, re-energized, and objective enough to see things from a different view. This is where now you can unleash your perfectionist side because it is a do-or-die stage.

Here are some tips to polish your draft into the final comprehensive essay (the final draft worth submitting for grading):

• Edit for content . Check your essay's structure, organization, flow, wording, and length. You can check your essay structure against the outline you created. If the paper is too long or too short, either lengthen or shorten it appropriately . A comprehensive essay must meet the ideal length specified in the Rubric. With the changes, counter-check whether the paper makes sense.
• Edit for grammar . It is important to edit for grammar. For this process, you can use grammar editing software such as Grammarly, Ginger, or Hemingway Editor. In addition, you can read Strunk and White's The Elements of Style , which can help you write better, especially punctuations such as commas and semicolons, and how to avoid run-on sentences. Editing might essentially take a few run-throughs. So, you can take breaks to maintain your frame when editing. Returning to the paper with a fresh mind helps focus, which helps identify and fix mistakes.
• Re-read the entire essay . Once you are done editing grammar and content, take a break, then re-read the entire essay. As you read, focus on proofreading to remove the syntax, mechanical, and style errors. Double-check your paper against the Rubric and the instructions as well. Countercheck the flow of the body paragraphs and remove any complex sentences. Also, check the format of your essay, including the indentation, alignment, margins, and page numbers. You can always use online essay grading or editing services if your essay needs more polishing.

When self-editing an academic essay, focus mainly on improving the flow of your essay. Here is a checklist to guide you:

• Subject-verb agreement
• Sentence fragments
• Confusing phrases or words
• Pronoun agreement mistakes
• Spelling mistakes
• Grammatical errors
• Misplaced words
• Run-on sentences
• Missing words
• Passive tense
• Missing references
• Missing citations
• Punctuation mistakes

We hope this makes you a better editor for your essay if you can write one.

Re-cap of how to write a good essay like a pro

We can summarize all the ten steps of writing a good essay into three main stages: preparation, writing, and revision.

• The preparation stage involves deciding on the topic, conducting your research, organizing research, formulating the thesis, ad creating an essay outline.
• The writing stage entails writing the introduction, developing the thesis using evidence in the body paragraphs, and writing a summative conclusion.
• The revision stage entails editing for content, proofreading, and polishing the essay to ensure your essay's style, format, grammar, and organization are okay.

On a typical day, our top-rated essay writers confirm that they religiously follow the steps, which is why we end up with quality written essays. The writers also confirm that once you learn how to maneuver the three stages, you will do them involuntarily when writing essays. No wonder we write last-minute essays that score A+. Equally, all the steps matter and contribute to your final grade.

Now that we know how to write a comprehensive essay that scores the best grades, wouldn't it be an injustice if we failed to cover some common types of essays you will probably encounter to know how to go about each? Well, let's jump to it, then.

There are more than five different types of essays. However, the main types of essays include expository , narrative , compare and contrast , persuasive/argumentative , and descriptive essays . Now, you might only know these five. Still, we bet you there are more than ten variants of essays you will encounter in your high school, college, or university life.

Advantages and Disadvantages Essays

Contrary to argumentative or persuasive essays, advantages and disadvantages explore the pros and cons of a given issue without convincing the audience to adopt the author's side of the argument/perspective. An example of a topic for this essay: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy sources or the pros and cons of legalizing medical marijuana.

Analytical Essays

An analytical essay presents an argument or claims on what the author is writing about. For instance, it could involve a movie, film, play, literary work, or a piece of art. It could also entail the analysis of behavior, tendency, occurrence, or event. To write an analytical essay, the author often uses logical reasoning, critical thinking, and sound judgment to achieve some natural flow. The common analytical essays include persuasive analytical essays, analytical expository essays, analytical history essays, and analytical comparison essays. Example of a topic for an analytical essay: Why do teenagers run from home? Or why do stalkers like social media?

Argumentative Essays

Argumentative essays entail the author trying to persuade the readers to adopt their perspective by immaculately presenting the pros, cons, and counterarguments on a given issue. It is among the common types of essays assigned as homework in college. However, all disciplines are likely to write an argumentative essay when it comes to written assignments. Example of an Argumentative Essay Topic: Is social media a surveillance tool than a communication medium?

Classification Essays

The primary role of a classification essay is to group and separate objects, things, events, or places according to salient characteristics. Therefore, finding a unique approach to classifying things is always advisable. For instance, you can be asked to write about the five types of personalities.

College Admission Essays

Every year, students are required to submit a college application essay as part of their application process. In this type of essay, your role is to convince the admission board/committee of the reason they should admit you to the college or university. You could be out there wondering how to choose the best topic for a college essay or how to write it better, but when you are done reading this, it will be history. This is similar to the common APP essays or personal statements.

Compare and Contrast Essays

The name lays bare what a compare and contrast essay is. It simply involves comparing the differences and similarities of phenomena, events, occurrences, physical features, countries, celebrities, comedies, books, vehicles, people, etc. For example, a good topic would be to compare and contrast communism and capitalism.

Critical Essays

In a critical essay , you are meant to criticize and evaluate a piece of art, literature, or anything presented by revealing its strengths and weaknesses. It entails presenting a deep analysis of a given topic critically, logically, and flowingly.

Cause and effect essays

In a cause-and-effect essay, writers aim to explore the causes and consequences of a given phenomenon or event. There are methods or approaches to follow. You can begin by outlining the causes and then the effects or do a cross-comparison in paragraphs. You can choose an appropriate cause-and-effect essay topic from our topics for cause-and-effect essays.

Definition Essays

In this type of essay, you define a term, concept, idea, vocabulary, process, phenomenon, or occurrence by providing in-depth details. When writing one, you should explore the origin/genesis, meanings, applications, and maybe pros and cons, where necessary. For instance, an excellent topic for a definition essay would be Exploring the concept of divorce. Or Define the concept of social media or Hacktivism.

Descriptive/Description Essays

Your role as an author of a descriptive essay is to describe things, people, events, or phenomena. It should be written from a personal perspective point of view and should offer your general impression. For example, describe the appearance, smell, feeling, etc.

Discursive Essays

In a discursive essay , the role of the author is to offer an unbiased and reliable assessment of a given issue. It is close to an argumentative essay in that it requires choosing a controversial topic, only that the discursive essays present a balanced discussion. Common discursive essays include opinion essays and for and against essays.

Expository Essays

An expository essay explores a subject or phenomenon from the author's point of view. It is all about simplifying an explanation to a given topic without trying to prove anything. Your key role is to present the advantages and disadvantages, merits and demerits, or pros and cons to the readers. Example of Expository Essay Topic: Explain why art therapy can be used in mental health hospitals. Or Explore the possibility of using laughter as medicine.

Narrative Essays

In a narrative essay, you must always use the first person to tell a story about yourself. It is like writing an autobiography.

Personal Essays

These are essays you write about yourself. It is almost similar to the narrative essay. It is a variant of a narrative essay. Examples of personal essays are essays about yourself, such as scholarship essays, statements of purpose, transfer letters, appeal letters, and admission essays.

Persuasive Essays

This type of essay is the extreme opposite of an argumentative essay. It is meant to change the readers' point of view so that they adopt that of the author as an axiom. Even though it sounds simple, it is one of the toughest types of essays. Write it well so everyone who reads your essays eventually agrees with your thoughts and reasoning. In a persuasive essay, the reader must find worth in your statements. Here is where your negotiation skills and power of conviction play a role.

Poetry Essays

A poetry analysis essay , as the name suggests, entails discussing the critical components of an essay. For example, it could explore a poem's literary devices, themes, and central claims. Example of a poetry essay topic: Explore the theme of heroism in the Beowulf Poem.

Process Essays

As the name suggests, you offer a step-by-step guide to the readers in this type of essay. It should be loaded with comprehensive information. This article could easily be a process essay as we explore the essay writing process. Example of a process essay topic: Explain the Solvay process. Or Explain how to choose an outstanding essay topic.

Profile Essays

Profile essays are essays where you describe a person, place, event, or anything in detail. It could be an essay you write about yourself or one you write about someone. For instance, you can write an essay about Elon Musk, Bill Gates, President Barack Obama, President Donald Trump, and President Vladimir Putin.

Synthesis Essays

Ranked among the type of essays as advanced-level writing, a synthesis essay explores a unique viewpoint on a central idea, a topic, or a theme.

Problem-solution essays

A problem-solution essay is a persuasive essay where the writer describes a problem, convinces the readers to care about the problem, and proposes the most effective solution while rebutting any objections. It can either describe multiple solutions or focus on a single solution to a problem.

Informative Essay

An informative essay is meant to educate your readers about a specific topic. It can define a term, compare and contrast things, analyze data, demonstrate how-to, or outline processes without presenting opinions or persuading the readers.

There are direction words that guide you on what to do to your essay.

• Describe:  Here, you should write about facts, events, and processes. It should follow a specific order and emphasize the importance of something. It is best if you interpret or explain when writing descriptive essays.
• Explain:  In such essays, you are required to analyze and clarify points. It is a common approach in cause-and-effect essays. This is a common approach to narrative essays.
• Discuss:  Such essays require that you give a point of view or perspective or expound on something. While doing so, use examples, arguments, and evidence from credible sources.
• Compare and contrast:  Just as the name,  compare and contrast essays  require that you find the differences and similarities between events, ideas, or interpretations.
• Critique:  critique essays discuss the strengths and weaknesses of articles, books, or art.
• Argue:  argumentative or persuasive essays require that you systematically or logically reject or support an idea through proper evidence.
• Classify : it should be all about clustering ideas based on given criteria. This is a common practice in  classification essays .
• Critically analyze : it should be a critical analysis. This means it can be an analytical essay.

Check out our guide on the power words to use in your essay to impress your professors and readers. 

Tips for Writing a comprehensive essay

Like any other game, some guidelines guide how essays are written. Here are the rules of academic essay writing.

• Use formal academic English . Disdain using slang when writing your academic essay. On the same note, avoid using tough English words. Instead, use appropriate academic writing phrases to present ideas in your essay. Simplicity is king when writing essays.
• Analyze the questions to ensure you write an essay that answers the prompt or assignment Rubric.
• Everything you write should be well-cited . Back up ideas using evidence from credible sources to avoid plagiarism .
• Wikipedia is never a source in academic essay writing. However, you can use it to familiarize yourself with the topic, brainstorm ideas, and gather useful knowledge on approaching a question or topic.
• Whenever you use information that is not your original idea, reference the source to avoid plagiarism. For instance, when paraphrasing an idea of an article, ensure that you correctly provide the in-text citation and the references.
• Always follow your instructor's particular formatting and citation styles relevant to your field.
• Avoid plagiarism at all costs. Professors love plagiarism-free essays.
• Write your essays in prose. However, use well-balanced paragraphs. A paragraph should never exceed 150 words.
• Always follow the five-paragraph essay format: introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Your introduction and conclusion should each be 10% of the total word count.
• An essay must have a hook and thesis as part of your introduction.

Like writing research papers, term papers, or reports, writing essays differ from the instructions provided. You need to thoroughly check the assignment instructions to get an insight into the formatting guidelines to use. However, most academic essays would require that you use the following:

• 5 by 11-inch paper
• Double spaced
• Font 12 pt. (the standard legible font)
• 1-inch margins on all sides of the paper
• Page number
• Cover page/title page
• First-line indentation for the paragraphs
• Left-aligned paper
• Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri fonts.

The assignment rubric will also contain the headings and subheadings breakdown instructions. Some professors like giving the number of pages and references for academic essays.

How to Cite Ideas in an Essay

The citation format depends on the subject matter. Sometimes, if left with the choice, it is a matter of preference of the student. However, the most common citation styles include MLA, APA, Harvard, Chicago, ASA, and Oxford.

• Academic essays on subjects within social sciences mostly use APA and  ASA style  citations.
• Academic essays are written in humanities subjects, including history and literature, and use Turabian, Chicago, or MLA style citations.
• Most medical, psychology, criminology, and nursing essays or health-related essays such as nursing academic essays are written in AMA style.
• It is good to have a clue about the citation you are using. Otherwise, you should seek essay writing help from Gradecrest. Our essay writers can format, edit, and proofread your essays. All you need to do is to request assistance from our editing and proofreading service.

Features of a Comprehensive Essay

When assigning an essay, instructors, and professors often remind you that they look forward to a comprehensive essay.

• It is thorough, well-composed, and deep. A comprehensive essay is an essay that thoroughly discusses a particular issue or presents compelling arguments that support or prove a thesis statement. Its content focus on explaining issues at a deeper level without deliberate omission of some important facts.
• It is well written. Writing a comprehensive essay is not rocket science. It is like giving your best when preparing, writing, and revising your essay. After all, any well-written essay is a comprehensive essay.
• Easy to spot and understand the main argument. When an audience reads such an essay, they should be able to understand the author's arguments, make up their mind about the topic, and reason with the content.
• Has balanced paragraphs. Depending on the length, a comprehensive essay has a well-balanced introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs.
• Has a substantial, elaborate, and reasonable thesis. The introduction of a comprehensive essay has a strong thesis that informs the readers of the essay's central aim or argument.
• Does not have errors. A perfect essay's structure, presentation, organization, and flow are flawless. Each paragraph has transitions connecting it to the following and knits the entire essay.

Thus far, we hope you will write a perfect essay to score you a better grade. If not, you can buy essays from our website to supplement your writing process. Our bespoke essays are written from scratch following the ten steps outlined above to give you plagiarism-free essays.

9 most common Essay Writing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Every student writing an essay expects that it will earn them the best grades. However, a thin line exists between a well-written academic essay and garbage. Yes, garbage in the sense that it makes no sense. To avoid corrections with comments from your professor, lower grades, and resubmission requests, you must avoid these nine common mistakes students make when writing their essays.

• Writing vague thesis statements . Writing a good essay depends on coming up with a strong thesis. Having a vague, weak, and unsupported thesis statement is a suicide mission on your grades. State your thesis to be specific as possible.
• Using too many quotes . An essay demonstrates your understanding of the topic and how well you research to back up arguments. Overusing quotes in an essay from the text you are analyzing r from the resources from research denies you the authority on the topic. Use quotations sparingly, and leave them out if they are unnecessary.
• Plagiarism . Avoid directly taking words from a source and using them as your own. Equally, do not reword an entire article or a section of it and claim it as your work. Instead, read, internalize, summarize, paraphrase, and cite ideas. Then, write an essay from your understanding of the topic and use facts from other sources to support your argument. Plagiarism has serious consequences, such as expulsion. There are rigorous university and college anti-plagiarism policies, adhere to them.
• Punctuation mistakes . Mind your Ps and Qs when writing your essays. Also, dot your I's in the essay. In simple terms, ensure that the commas, hyphens, semicolons, colons, quotation marks, full stops, and question marks are placed and used correctly.
• Using hard-to-read sentences. This is a common mistake most students make. They write lengthy, complex sentences, sometimes run-on sentences. Surprisingly, these sentences do not cut it. Write clear, concise, and coherent sentences instead of using complex words (jargon), phrases, and many words. Let the reader see sentence variety in your essay: you can achieve this by mixing short and long sentences.
• Using non-scholarly sources. Yes, you can use Wikipedia and other sources from the internet but do not cite them in your essay: only use them to familiarize yourself with the topic. Use scholarly sources written by academic experts and professionals. When using websites, use credible .edu, .org, and .gov websites.
• Writing descriptively and not analytically . The entire point of writing an essay is to create an argument and defend the thesis. Therefore, it is crucial to be critical. Instead of telling (restating), show your readers.
• Rewording the introduction as your conclusion . Conclusion is not rewording your introduction. Also, students begin concluding paragraphs with cliché words. To avoid this, rephrase the thesis in your opening sentence for the conclusion paragraph, summarize the main points, and reflect on the argument you made: the bigger picture.
• Lacking enough evidence to support the thesis . Students sometimes pick a topic they struggle to understand and write an essay on it. Other times, it focuses too much on the opinions and ideas of the writer rather than the evidence. To avoid this, remain flexible when writing an essay. Also, choose a topic that is narrow and has evidence. Finally, select a topic where you can find information to support ideas.

FAQs about writing a good essay

Here are some questions that students frequently ask when writing their essays. We have provided answers that can point you in the right direction with the right trajectory. Our professional essay writers  brainstormed on these questions and provided some concise answers:

Can I use images in my essay?

Yes, you can use and cite illustrations such as photos, graphs, images, and etch in your essays as long as they are directly related to your essay. However, unless your instructor wants you to use them, leave them out when writing an essay. Do not use them, thinking they will take up space. The use of images is encouraged for ad analysis essays, geography essays, visual analysis essays, or art analysis essays. Still, each image, graph, or illustration must be cited with an appropriate in-text citation.

When do I cite sources in an essay?

At high school, college, university, and graduate-level essay writing, you must properly cite the sources of your essay, just like you do when writing a research paper or a dissertation, or other academic tasks. Citations should be used when paraphrasing, quoting, or summarizing information or ideas from a scholarly source. Apart from in-text citations, you must also provide the full details of the referenced source in your references, reference list, or works cited pages, which come at the end of your essay.

Why does an essay need a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is a sentence or two sentences that summarize the central idea of your essay or any academic paper. It is the main argument you make in the paper. It is essential when writing academic papers because it gives your text's scope, direction, and focus. It equally helps the readers to understand your main point concisely. It is the frame upon which you build your arguments in the essay.

Is the thesis the same as the claim in an essay?

In essay writing, the thesis is synonymous with your central aim, central argument, or main argument since it unifies the rest of the essay.  It is the reason why it should be interpretive or analytical rather than factual or descriptive.

Is a thesis the same as a research question?

No, while a thesis statement is a short and concise sentence or two that summarizes the main point or idea in an essay or research paper, a research question is a question that indicates the direction of research. A research question is often an open-ended query and not a final claim as the thesis. A thesis makes a specific claim or assertion about a topic that can be challenged or debated. On the contrary, a research question helps determine the methodology to use in subsequent stages of inquiry.

Must I write a topic sentence in an essay?

Yes, a topic sentence is a sentence that comes first in your body paragraphs. It is very critical in that it expresses the main idea of your paragraph, meaning that everything else in the paragraph that comes after it is related to it. You develop arguments, provide evidence, and offer examples supporting the topic sentence.

How do I nail the introduction of my essay?

To nail your introduction paragraph:

• Start with an appropriate opening hook or attention grabber to catch your readers' attention.
• Provide clear, concise, and coherent background information about the topic that your readers must know.
• Write a thesis that presents your major argument, main claim, or central idea.

Distribute the word count of your introduction according to the length of your essay.

Where do I find good sources for my essay?

To find good sources for your essay, research on the internet, scholarly databases, google scholar, and trustworthy websites, newspapers, and magazine articles such as the Guardian, TIME, Wall Street Journal, or New York Times . Some online scholarly databases include EBSCO, InfoTrack, ProQuest, LexisNexis, Google Scholar, or JSTOR. Avoid using non-scholarly sources in your essay. Rather, these non-scholarly general sources can be used when developing an understanding of your topic.

Gradecrest is a professional writing service that provides original model papers. We offer personalized services along with research materials for assistance purposes only. All the materials from our website should be used with proper references. See our Terms of Use Page for proper details.

Definition Essay

Definition Essay - Writing Guide, Examples and Tips

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Published on: Oct 9, 2020

Last updated on: Jan 31, 2024

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Many students struggle with writing definition essays due to a lack of clarity and precision in their explanations.

This obstructs them from effectively conveying the essence of the terms or concepts they are tasked with defining. Consequently, the essays may lack coherence, leaving readers confused and preventing them from grasping the intended meaning.

But don’t worry!

In this guide, we will delve into effective techniques and step-by-step approaches to help students craft an engaging definition essay.

Continue reading to learn the correct formation of a definition essay. 

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What is a Definition Essay?

Just as the name suggests, a definition essay defines and explains a term or a concept. Unlike a narrative essay, the purpose of writing this essay is only to inform the readers.

Writing this essay type can be deceivingly tricky. Some terms, concepts, and objects have concrete definitions when explained. In contrast others are solely based on the writer’s understanding and point of view.

A definition essay requires a writer to use different approaches when discussing a term. These approaches are the following:

• Denotation - It is when you provide a literal or academic definition of the term.
• Connotation - It is when the writer provides an implied meaning or definition of the term.
• Enumeration - For this approach, a list is employed to define a term or a concept.
• Analogy - It is a technique in which something is defined by implementing a comparison.
• Negation - It is when you define a term by stating what it is not.

A single or combination of approaches can be used in the essay. 

Definition Essay Types

There are several types of definition essays that you may be asked to write, depending on the purpose and scope of the assignment. 

In this section, we will discuss some of the most common types of definition essays.

Descriptive Definition Essay 

This type of essay provides a detailed description of a term or concept, emphasizing its key features and characteristics. 

The goal of a descriptive definition essay is to help readers understand the term or concept in a more profound way.

Stipulative Definition Essay 

In a stipulative definition essay, the writer provides a unique definition of a term or concept. This type of essay is often used in academic settings to define a term in a particular field of study. 

The goal of a stipulative definition essay is to provide a precise and clear definition that is specific to the context of the essay.

Analytical Definition Essay 

This compare and contrast essay type involves analyzing a term or concept in-depth. Breaking it down into its component parts, and examining how they relate to each other. 

The goal of an analytical definition essay is to provide a more nuanced and detailed understanding of the term or concept being discussed.

Persuasive Definition Essay 

A persuasive definition essay is an argumentative essay that aims to persuade readers to accept a particular definition of a term or concept.

The writer presents their argument for the definition and uses evidence and examples to support their position.

Explanatory Definition Essay 

An explanatory definition essay is a type of expository essay . It aims to explain a complex term or concept in a way that is easy to understand for the reader. 

The writer breaks down the term or concept into simpler parts and provides examples and analogies to help readers understand it better.

Extended Definition Essay 

An extended definition essay goes beyond the definition of a word or concept and provides a more in-depth analysis and explanation. 

The goal of an extended definition essay is to provide a comprehensive understanding of a term, concept, or idea. This includes its history, origins, and cultural significance. 

How to Write a Definition Essay?

Writing a definition essay is simple if you know the correct procedure. This essay, like all the other formal pieces of documents, requires substantial planning and effective execution.

The following are the steps involved in writing a definition essay effectively:

Instead of choosing a term that has a concrete definition available, choose a word that is complicated . Complex expressions have abstract concepts that require a writer to explore deeper. Moreover, make sure that different people perceive the term selected differently. 

Once you have a word to draft your definition essay for, read the dictionary. These academic definitions are important as you can use them to compare your understanding with the official concept.

Drafting a definition essay is about stating the dictionary meaning and your explanation of the concept. So the writer needs to have some information about the term.

In addition to this, when exploring the term, make sure to check the term’s origin. The history of the word can make you discuss it in a better way.

Coming up with an exciting title for your essay is important. The essay topic will be the first thing that your readers will witness, so it should be catchy.

Creatively draft an essay topic that reflects meaning. In addition to this, the usage of the term in the title should be correctly done. The readers should get an idea of what the essay is about and what to expect from the document.

Now that you have a topic in hand, it is time to gather some relevant information. A definition essay is more than a mere explanation of the term. It represents the writer’s perception of the chosen term and the topic.

So having only personal opinions will not be enough to defend your point. Deeply research and gather information by consulting credible sources.

The gathered information needs to be organized to be understandable. The raw data needs to be arranged to give a structure to the content.

Here's a generic outline for a definition essay:

Are you searching for an in-depth guide on crafting a well-structured definition essay?Check out this definition essay outline blog!

6. Write the First Draft

Drafting each section correctly is a daunting task. Understanding what or what not to include in these sections requires a writer to choose wisely.

The start of your essay matters a lot. If it is on point and attractive, the readers will want to read the text. As the first part of the essay is the introduction , it is considered the first impression of your essay.

To write your definition essay introduction effectively, include the following information:

• Start your essay with a catchy hook statement that is related to the topic and the term chosen.
• State the generally known definition of the term. If the word chosen has multiple interpretations, select the most common one.
• Provide background information precisely. Determine the origin of the term and other relevant information.
• Shed light on the other unconventional concepts and definitions related to the term.
• Decide on the side or stance you want to pick in your essay and develop a thesis statement .

After briefly introducing the topic, fully explain the concept in the body section . Provide all the details and evidence that will support the thesis statement. To draft this section professionally, add the following information:

• A detailed explanation of the history of the term.
• Analysis of the dictionary meaning and usage of the term.
• A comparison and reflection of personal understanding and the researched data on the concept.

Once all the details are shared, give closure to your discussion. The last paragraph of the definition essay is the conclusion . The writer provides insight into the topic as a conclusion.

The concluding paragraphs include the following material:

• Summary of the important points.
• Restated thesis statement.
• A final verdict on the topic.

7. Proofread and Edit

Although the writing process ends with the concluding paragraph, there is an additional step. It is important to proofread the essay once you are done writing. Proofread and revise your document a couple of times to make sure everything is perfect.

Before submitting your assignment, make edits, and fix all mistakes and errors.

If you want to learn more about how to write a definition essay, here is a video guide for you!

Definition Essay Structure 

The structure of a definition essay is similar to that of any other academic essay. It should consist of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. 

However, the focus of a definition essay is on defining and explaining a particular term or concept. 

In this section, we will discuss the structure of a definition essay in detail.

Introduction 

Get the idea of writing an introduction for a definition essay with this example:

Body Paragraphs

Here is an example of how to craft your definition essay body paragraph:

Types of the Term/Concept 

If applicable, the writer may want to include a section that discusses the different types or categories of the term or concept being defined. 

This section should explain the similarities and differences between the types, using examples and anecdotes to illustrate the points.

Examples of the Term/Concept in Action 

The writer should also include real-life examples of the term or concept being defined in action. 

This will help the reader better understand the term or concept in context and how it is used in everyday life.

Conclusion 

This example will help you writing a conclusion fo you essay:

Definition Essay Examples

It is important to go through some examples and samples before writing an essay. This is to understand the writing process and structure of the assigned task well.

Following are some examples of definition essays to give our students a better idea of the concept. 

Understanding the Definition Essay

Definition Essay Example

Definition Essay About Friendship

Definition Essay About Love

Family Definition Essay

Success Definition Essay

Beauty Definition Essay

Definition Essay Topics

Selecting the right topic is challenging for other essay types. However, picking a suitable theme for a definition essay is equally tricky yet important. Pick an interesting subject to ensure maximum readership.

If you are facing writer’s block, here is a list of some great definition essay topics for your help. Choose from the list below and draft a compelling essay.

• Authenticity
• Sustainability
• Mindfulness

Here are some more extended definition essay topics:

• Social media addiction
• Ethical implications of gene editing
• Personalized learning in the digital age
• Ecosystem services
• Cultural assimilation versus cultural preservation
• Sustainable fashion
• Gender equality in the workplace
• Financial literacy and its impact on personal finance
• Ethical considerations in artificial intelligence
• Welfare state and social safety nets

Need more topics? Check out this definition essay topics blog!

Definition Essay Writing Tips

Knowing the correct writing procedure is not enough if you are not aware of the essay’s small technicalities. To help students write a definition essay effortlessly, expert writers of CollegeEssay.org have gathered some simple tips.

These easy tips will make your assignment writing phase easy.

• Choose an exciting yet informative topic for your essay.
• When selecting the word, concept, or term for your essay, make sure you have the knowledge.
• When consulting a dictionary for the definition, provide proper referencing as there are many choices available.
• To make the essay informative and credible, always provide the origin and history of the term.
• Highlight different meanings and interpretations of the term.
• Discuss the transitions and evolution in the meaning of the term in any.
• Provide your perspective and point of view on the chosen term.

Following these tips will guarantee you better grades in your academics.

By following the step-by-step approach explained in this guide, you will acquire the skills to craft an outstanding essay. 

Struggling with the thought, " write my college essay for m e"? Look no further.

Our dedicated definition essay writing service is here to craft the perfect essay that meets your academic needs.

For an extra edge, explore our AI essay writer , a tool designed to refine your essays to perfection. 

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Barbara is a highly educated and qualified author with a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university. She has spent a significant amount of time working in the medical field, conducting a thorough study on a variety of health issues. Her work has been published in several major publications.

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How to Write a Comprehensive Essay| Steps and Examples

• Comprehensive Essay
• August 22, 2022
• Ellie Cross

How to Write a Comprehensive Essay| Steps and Examples? If you are planning to write an essay, you will have to follow a set of steps to make the entire process easy. These steps include: Writing a thesis statement, locating sources, drafting an outline, and creating a logical flow of ideas. If you don’t have any idea on how to write an essay, you can always refer to some examples to get some ideas.

Writing a thesis statement

In a comprehensive essay, the thesis statement provides a clear focus and points toward the conclusion of the paper. A weak thesis statement will undermine the entire essay. For example, I would argue that the death penalty is wrong for violent crimes, but not for nonviolent crimes. Furthermore, I would argue that more women should run for political office and become active members of society. These are just some examples of powerful thesis statements.

In addition to a strong thesis statement for an essay , you can also include supporting points in the body of the essay. One example is a book that embodies a social issue. Trust Me by John Updike provides valuable themes that can easily be related to other works. In addition, it is an important addition to the college syllabus and offers a number of easy-to-connect themes. You can also write several paragraphs on different ideas that support the thesis statement.

Finding sources

While it is essential to gather the right information and sources to write a high-quality essay, you should keep in mind that you must also adhere to a deadline. The amount of research required for an essay can take weeks, months, or even years. To help you save time, you can use a two-pronged approach to evaluate your sources: first, read the abstracts and introductions of the articles. Second, read the citations and references. Finally, you should learn how to use the information you have gathered.

Creating an outline

First, create an outline for your paper. Outlines help you organize your ideas and write more easily. Use sequential numbers to represent the major points in your paper. Organize your paragraphs and ideas in the same order and number each one consecutively. You can re-arrange your outline as necessary, but remember that an outline is not a final draft. If you need help creating an outline, visit the Writing Center.

After writing the outline, proofread and edit it thoroughly. Then, go over it one more time to check for errors. Check grammar and style and make sure all references are cited correctly. If you use proper grammar and citation styles, your essay will be a success. Remember to check all sources and check all spellings and grammatical errors! Following proper formatting and referencing style will make your essay look better and will boost your grades.

When writing a comprehensive essay follow a logical flow of ideas

When writing a comprehensive essay, it is imperative that you follow a logical flow of ideas. For example, if your topic is a family problem, your essay structure should move from a student problem to a family problem. The same holds true for an essay that deals with a complex issue. As such, your outline should include topic sentences and a brief summary of each paragraph.

For science articles, logical flow is crucial to the presentation of important results and the whole story. A well-structured, logical flow allows readers to grasp the main message and the argument more easily. In addition, a well-organized piece of writing will foster a valuable exchange of ideas between the author and the reader. The best scientific articles follow a logical flow of ideas.

Creating a conclusion

A comprehensive essay should be rounded out with a powerful conclusion. A conclusion should summarize the main points from the body paragraphs and not repeat them. It should be a clear statement that carries a persuasive message to the audience. It should also be free of quotations and information from outside sources. The conclusion should sound convincing and confident. It should also address the reader’s questions and concerns. Here are a few tips for writing an effective conclusion.

 The most important step in composing a conclusion is to make sure the reader knows the purpose of your paper. You want to capture their attention and make them feel as though they are reading your essay. Using an appropriate ending statement can make your audience feel connected to your argument and will leave a lasting impression. Try to make it as memorable as possible by addressing the most important points of the essay. It also gives the reader a sense of closure.

Ellie Cross is a research-based content writer, who works for Cognizantt, a globally recognised  wordpress development agency uk  and Research Prospect, a  Tjenester til at skrive afhandlinger og essays . Ellie Cross holds a PhD degree in mass communication. He loves to express his views on a range of issues including education, technology, and more.

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How to Write a Definition Essay: A Step-by-Step Manual for Writing an A+ Paper

According to a definition essay meaning, it involves a thoughtful exploration and clarification of the significance of a chosen concept. To begin, carefully select a term that is broad enough to allow for in-depth analysis but specific enough to avoid ambiguity. Start the essay with a concise and standard definition drawn from reputable sources like dictionaries to provide a foundational understanding. However, most of the essay should go beyond this basic definition. Delve into the complexities of the concept, breaking it down into different components, categories, or aspects. Provide examples, anecdotes, and scenarios that illustrate the notion in various contexts, allowing readers to grasp the nuances and depth of its meaning.

Wondering how to add a definition in an essay? Structurally, a definition essay typically follows a clear and organized format. Begin with an introduction that introduces the term and its importance, followed by a thesis statement that outlines your interpretation. Each subsequent paragraph should focus on a different vista of the concept, exploring its history, evolution, and various renditions. Use transitions to ensure a smooth flow between passages. In conclusion, summarize the key points, restate your hypothesis, and leave the audience with a thought-provoking statement or a call to action. Remember that the goal is not just to define the notion but to provide a comprehensive and insightful exploration that enhances the professor's competence. Our essay writers online can help you foster a richer appreciation for the complexities inherent in language and society.

What Is a Definition Essay

A definition essay meaning suggests it is a type of academic writing that aims to provide a comprehensive explanation of a particular construct or concept. Unlike other forms of essays that may focus on argumentation or persuasion, a definition essay primarily seeks to elucidate the meaning of the chosen motif. What is the purpose of a definition essay? To delve beyond the surface-level comprehension of the word and offer a nuanced explanation combining personal insights and a broader, commonly accepted definition. This genre of essay often requires careful analysis, research, and consideration of various perspectives to present a well-rounded and thorough exploration of the selected consideration.

During the definition essay writing process, it is crucial for the writer to not only offer a concise dictionary-like definition but also to provide context, examples, and relevant anecdotes that help illuminate the leitmotif's multifaceted nature. This allows the reader to gain a deeper familiarization of the subject matter and encourages critical thinking. The essay may cover abstract concepts like love, justice, or freedom, or it can explore concrete assumptions such as technology, democracy, or sustainability. Through carefully selecting the apprehension and thoughtful exploration of its meaning, a well-executed definition essay engages readers.

Definition Essay Outline

To learn how to write a definition essay, you have to understand that a well-structured definition essay typically follows a standard format to ensure clarity and coherence in presenting the chosen concept. The introduction serves as the starting point, where the writer provides a standard definition of the aspect to establish a baseline realization for the audience. However, the introduction should go beyond a mere dictionary definition; it should include an argument that outlines the writer's interpretation and sets the stage for the following in-depth exploration. This statement guides the tutor on what to expect in the essay and highlights the specific dimensions the writer will delve into.

After realizing how to start a definition essay, proceed to the main body, where the idea is dissected and examined in detail. Each subsection within the body should focus on a distinct aspect or facet. It's crucial to provide clear and comprehensive explanations, incorporating examples, anecdotes, and illustrations to enhance the reader's erudition. Additionally, consider organizing the body paragraphs logically, perhaps moving from the more general vistas to its more specific or nuanced dimensions. Transitions between sections are essential for maintaining a smooth flow and coherence. 

Finally, the conclusion should restate the key sentence, summarize the key points discussed in the body, and offer a thoughtful reflection or a broader implication of the facet. The conclusion should leave a lasting impression and reinforce the significance of the conception in the context explored throughout the essay. Browse these essays for sale to find great examples of definition essays performed by academic wordsmiths. 

Introduction

• Hook: Engage the classroom with an interesting fact, quote, or anecdote related to the theme.
• Background: Provide a standard and basic definition from a reliable source.
• Thesis Statement: Clearly state your interpretation and the aspects you will explore in the essay.

Body Paragraphs

• Aspect 1: Start with the broader or general outlook.
• Definition: Provide a detailed explanation of the first aspect.
• Examples: Offer relevant examples, anecdotes, or scenarios to illustrate the concept.
• Aspect 2: Move on to a specific dimension.
• Definition: Delve into the details of the second aspect.
• Examples: Support your explanation with concrete examples to enhance clarity.
• Continue with additional angles as needed, ensuring a logical flow between passages.

Counterarguments (Optional)

• Address possible alternative interpretations or misconceptions.
• Refute counterarguments and reinforce the validity of your interpretation.
• Summarize: Recap the key points discussed in the body paragraphs.
• Restate Thesis: Reinforce your interpretation of the term.
• Concluding Thoughts: Provide a thoughtful reflection, broader implication, or a call to action.

Definition Essay Introduction

In the introductory section of a definition essay, the reader is presented with the topic in a manner that is not only highly informative but also compelling enough to engage them throughout the entire essay. To achieve this, the following elements are crucial:

• Hook: Utilize a captivating phrase or question to seize the reader's attention.
• Background Information: Briefly elucidate the topic and underscore its significance in being defined.
• Thesis Statement: Clearly articulate the term and provide your own interpretation of it.

Definition Essay Thesis

Unlike traditional theses, a definition essay thesis statement doesn't require the writer to argue a point. For those aiming to write an effective definition essay, the key lies in incorporating a central assertion into the concluding sentence of the introduction. Whether you're immersed in the study of astrophysics at a top-tier college or any other discipline, your statement should succinctly define the concept in your own words.

Definition Essay Body Paragraphs

As we’ve learned how to start an essay with a definition, let’s move on to the main body. Within the body of your essay, dismantle the conception into its constituent elements, assess it from various perspectives, and offer a pertinent justification. Depending on the specific writing requirements of your assignment, the number of sections may exceed three. You can introduce additional sections or rearrange the order based on the complexity of the thought. Consider employing the following structure if you want to know how to write a definition paragraph:

• Historical Definition: Detail the origin and evolution of the main idea.
• Dictionary Definition: Present the official definition and draw comparisons with your own interpretation.
• Personal Definition: Articulate your awareness of the hypothesis, supported by examples and anecdotes.
• Expert Definition: Reference a scholar's definition and elucidate any disparities from your own rendition.
• Cultural Definition: Examine how the notion is employed in popular culture and its reflection of societal values.

Definition Essay Conclusion

In the concluding paragraph, the final portion of the essay, you can study how to define a word in an essay. It is imperative to recapitulate the main points. Structure a fitting ending by following these steps:

• Restate Thesis: Summarize your definition and underscore its significance.
• Implications: Clarify how comprehending the focal point can influence our thoughts and actions.
• Call to Action: Motivate readers to employ the term accurately and advocate for precise definitions within their communities.

Definition Essay Types

Have you encountered a captivating abstraction with a rich history but didn’t know how to put definition in essay? Before committing to it, carefully consider the characteristics of definition essay and the potential approaches you can take. 

• Break down your topic into distinct components.
• Define each component separately to provide a detailed insight.

Classification

• Identify and explore the different categories or groups that your term falls under.
• Provide detailed explanations for each category, highlighting the nuances of the term.
• Showcase the uniqueness of your term by comparing it to more common or typical things.
• Highlight how your term stands out, whether through similarities or differences from the norm.
• Identify and elaborate on the specific traits and qualities that best represent the central idea of your essay.
• Support your definition with concrete examples illustrating the identified traits.
• Clearly state what your term is not, providing a refined and narrowed definition.
• Use negation to eliminate ambiguity and focus the reader's perception.

Origins and Causes

• Explore the historical roots of your term, including its first appearance and any relevant historical details.
• Provide insight into the origin and evolution of the concept over time.

Results, Effects, and Uses

• Examine the consequences and outcomes associated with your term.
• Detail the various ways in which the term is utilized and its significance in different contexts.

Tips for Writing a Definition Essay

Few students actually know how to write a definition in an essay, which can pose a challenge as it requires developing a thorough depiction of a singular term that combines both scholarly and personal elements. Selecting a term that allows for a comprehensive exploration of the essay is crucial, and adhering to traditional methods is instrumental in ensuring a nuanced grasp. Here are some tips to help you perform an effective and engaging definition essay:

• Select a term that has a clear and widely accepted definition. Avoid writing overly broad or subjective terms that may lead to ambiguity.
• Conduct thorough research to understand the various meanings and interpretations of the term. Consult reputable sources, dictionaries, and scholarly articles to gather comprehensive information.
• Begin your essay by presenting the standard or dictionary definition of the term. This serves as a foundation for your own elucidation.
• Write your personal exegis of the term. Share your perspective and insights, going beyond the standard definition.
• Experiment with different approaches such as analysis, classification, comparison, or negation to add depth to your essay. This allows you to explore various facets of the term.
• To answer the question how do you put a definition in an essay, illustrate your definition with relevant examples, anecdotes, or scenarios. Concrete examples help readers better grasp the meaning of the term.
• Organize your essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each subsection should focus on a specific element of the term, contributing to a comprehensive interpretation.
• Acknowledge and address different perspectives on the term. Discuss how the meaning may vary based on context, culture, or private experiences.
• Use negation to define the term by explaining what it is not. This technique helps to eliminate confusion and refine the definition.
• Strive for clarity and precision in your language. Avoid unnecessary complexity and ensure that each word contributes to the development of the term.
• Review your essay for clarity, coherence, and consistency. Ensure that your definition is well-supported and that your writing is free from grammatical errors.
• Write for your target audience. Tailor your explanations to suit the level of erudition of your readers, providing enough detail without overwhelming them.
• Summarize your main points in the conclusion and restate your argumentation. Consider the broader implications or significance of writing about the term.
• Have someone else read your essay to gain feedback. This can provide valuable insights and help you identify areas for improvement.

Need extra tips regarding how to write an academic essay ? Our expensive guide offers everything you need and more to write A-grade essays quickly. 

Definition Essay Topic Ideas

Check out 30 definition essay examples of topics that you can get inspired by and brainstorm your own brilliant ideas to write about in your essay. 

• Defining true achievement beyond material wealth.
• Exploring the many faces of bravery.
• Unraveling the layers of genuine connection.
• A multifaceted journey to contentment.
• Navigating the moral compass in a complex world.
• The power to bounce back from life's challenges.
• Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
• The ever-evolving landscape of creative progress.
• Striving for fairness in a diverse society.
• Balancing personal liberties with social responsibility.
• The interplay of self-perception and social constructs.
• Integrating knowledge and experience for sound judgment.
• The pursuit of fairness and equity in legal systems.
• Nurturing connections that transcend time and distance.
• Beyond the classroom – lifelong learning and growth.
• Building bonds in a hyperconnected world.
• Fostering hope in the face of adversity.
• Inspiring and guiding others toward a common goal.
• Unveiling the aesthetic essence beyond physical appearance.
• Celebrating differences for a richer human experience.
• Acts of selflessness in a self-centric world.
• Balancing human needs with environmental responsibility.
• Unleashing imagination for innovative problem-solving.
• A holistic approach to physical and mental well-being.
• Standing in the intersection of heritage and modernity.
• Examining the impact of innovation on human life.
• Transformative growth in the face of challenges.
• The evolution of thought and behavior across the lifespan.
• Discovering meaning and direction in life.
• The art of expressing ideas and building connections.

Two Definition Essay Examples

To grasp the essence of what writing definition essay is about, it’s always a great idea to have a vivid example in front of you. Preferably done by someone who knows their writing craft. If you choose to use this definition essay example as a reference, feel free to analyze its structure and format. Alternatively, you can opt to purchase an essay affordably and of the highest quality on our platform!

How to Write a Good Thesis Statement for Definition Essay?

How to write a definition essay, how to format a definition in an essay, how to write a definition paragraph.

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Identification: Know the following terms and names. Be able to give a correct definition or identification, one or two sentences long.

·         these names: Noah Webster, John Trevisa, Ranulph Higden, Samuel Johnson, Robert Lowth, William Bullokar, William Caxton, the Venerable Bede, Alfred the Great, William I, James A. H. Murray

·           langue and parole

·         pidgin and creole

·         dialect

·         phonetics, phoneme, allophone

·         morpheme, grapheme, allograph

·         IPA

·         minimal pair

·         inkhorn terms

·           great vowel shift

Comprehensive Essay : You will be asked to write on one of the following. Your essay should have a specific thesis that you state clearly at the beginning of the essay--do not bother with a broad or fancy introduction, but get straight to the point--and an organized structure in which you present ample detail to support your thesis and to show how much you have learned in lecture and in the assigned readings, citing readings from your Source Book wherever pertinent. Also, be sure that your essay is “comprehensive” by using examples and/or information from the eras Old, Middle, and Modern or Present Day English. You may bring in a 3x5 notecard with your thesis and notes about details you wish to include.

·         How have ideas of national and/or ethnic identity been integral to ideas about how English has developed or should develop? Discuss how specific texts we have read this term address this question, considering them in the context of political and social developments.

·         How have wars and other events and conditions of political and social hegemony affected the history of English?

·         Just the other day I caught a glimpse of a game show on TV that included a spelling bee. Historically, what has made English spelling so challenging that a contest in spelling can be used to entertain adults? What social, political, and technological factors have affected spelling during the history of English and affect our attitudes toward spelling today?

·         Teachers from elementary school through the university instruct students in what has been called "standard" English. How has this concept developed and shifted over time? What factors have affected and effected these developments and changes? Provide specific examples of standard and/or non-standard English as these help you express your ideas, refer to specific assigned readings that address this issue and to political and social factors significant to these developments and changes.

·         Was Margaret Paston the “writer” of her letter to her husband John? How has the definition of “author” and/or “writer” changed from the early Middle Ages to today? What factors are necessary to consider in determining the answer to whether someone is an “author” or a “writer” and how have these factors shifted over time?

·         The history of the dictionary begins with manuscript glosses, continues through the Hepster's Dictionary and even The Smiley Dictionary (see http://www.smileydictionary.com/ ).   What are the purposes of a dictionary? How have they developed over time? What social, political, and technological factors have played a role in these developments?

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Guide to Writing a Comprehensive Essay Introduction

Table of Contents

Today, essay writing has become a crucial component of all academic work. The importance of strong essays on academic performance is something that students cannot ignore.

A comprehensive essay introduction prepares the audience for what they are about to read. It piques readers’ curiosity and compels them to continue reading.

This article will guide you to write an enticing intro and make your reader hang on to every word.

What Is a Comprehensive Essay?

A comprehensive essay is an academic writing assignment that requires you to use everything you learned in your course to explain something. This is the opposite of the common type of essay, which aims to convince the reader of a certain point of view.

Don’t write a long or fancy introduction; instead, go right to the point. Your essay should have a clear thesis at the beginning and an orderly structure where you provide enough evidence to support your thesis.

Comprehensive essays often require the learner to present more details and use more supporting evidence to back up their argument. This is to make the essay stronger and more convincing to the reader.

What Is the Purpose of an Essay Introduction?

Writing introductory paragraphs can be very challenging for students, let alone making sure they capture the reader’s attention. It is usually difficult to start something than continue something already underway.

The importance of the essay introduction is continuously stressed to you. But it is even more important to understand its purpose. The introduction serves as the roadmap to your essay. It introduces the topic and clarifies the context by providing background information.

Therefore, it is crucial to start your essay right and give a perspective and purpose to your paper.

How to Write a Comprehensive Essay Introduction?

There isn’t a single best approach to begin an essay. Some people like to begin writing the essay right away and then compose the introduction at the end. Whenever you write the introduction, make sure to focus on the tone and purpose of your essay. Here is a quick instruction on how to construct a comprehensive essay introduction .

Start With an Engaging Hook

Instead of beginning the introduction with a long buildup, use a short, catchy opening sentence or two. Start with something engaging, clear, and concise to pique the reader’s interest. A hook will help the reader understand the main idea you’re trying to convey. It will also keep them interested until you get to the main points of your paper.

Provide Background Information

Provide some background information on the topic before deciding on the theme. The introduction always begins with a clear direction. It includes statements about how the subject relates to more significant concerns covered in the next sections of the essay.

The information you provide here should be concise and related to your essay’s main thesis. You can make reference to issues you’ll cover in the body section. However, don’t give away a lot of details.

Set the Limitations of Your Essay

You must limit the discussion of your essay topic. It’s essential to keep your talk to a reasonable scope because you can’t cover everything relevant to the topic. Narrow your focus and explain to the audience why and how you chose the suggested topic or issue.

State the Thesis Statement

The introduction must establish your thesis to write a cohesive and coherent essay. The introductory paragraph ends with the thesis statement. A brief summary of the entire essay is provided in the thesis statement. This illustrates the writer’s central concept and method of approaching the essay topic.

It’s important to write a thorough, engaging introduction for your essay to capture your audience’s attention. You want to create an essay that will hold their interest, so they will be eager to explore the rest of your essay.

The introduction of your essay should contain an attention-grabbing hook . It should also state the thesis statement and leave the audience wanting to delve further into your paper. This article aims to explain the importance of your essay introduction and how to write one.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Types of Outlines and Samples

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Alphanumeric Outlines

This is the most common type of outline and usually instantly recognizable to most people. The formatting follows these characters, in this order:

• Roman Numerals
• Capitalized Letters
• Arabic Numerals
• Lowercase Letters

If the outline needs to subdivide beyond these divisions, use Arabic numerals inside parentheses and then lowercase letters inside parentheses. Select the "Sample Outlines" PDF in the Media Box above to download the sample of this outline.

The sample PDF in the Media Box above is an example of an outline that a student might create before writing an essay. In order to organize her thoughts and make sure that she has not forgotten any key points that she wants to address, she creates the outline as a framework for her essay.

What is the assignment?

Your instructor asks the class to write an expository (explanatory) essay on the typical steps a high school student would follow in order to apply to college.

What is the purpose of this essay?

To explain the process for applying to college

Who is the intended audience for this essay?

High school students intending to apply to college and their parents

What is the essay's thesis statement?

When applying to college, a student follows a certain process which includes choosing the right schools and preparing the application materials.

Full Sentence Outlines

The full sentence outline format is essentially the same as the Alphanumeric outline. The main difference (as the title suggests) is that full sentences are required at each level of the outline. This outline is most often used when preparing a traditional essay. Select the "Sample Outlines" PDF in the Media Box above to download the sample of this outline.

Decimal Outlines

The decimal outline is similar in format to the alphanumeric outline. The added benefit is a system of decimal notation that clearly shows how every level of the outline relates to the larger whole. Select the "Sample Outlines" PDF in the Media Box above to download the sample of this outline.

• Cliff's Notes
• How do I decide on the scope of my essay?
• How can banks afford to lend out so much money?
• What should I consider when deciding whether to invest in a company?
• Who was the first female Senator in the United States?
• What are the best courses to take if I want to end up doing research in metaphysics?
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• How do you know a guy likes you?
• How much outside class study time is recommended for every hour of class time for college freshmen?
• Is it common for people to be scared to go into high school? Can you give me some tips to survive?
• What is the easiest foreign language to learn? Which foreign language looks the best on college applications?
• How do I get involved in classroom discussions without sounding stupid?
• What is organizational design?
• Will mentioning my race in my college essay increase my chances of getting in?
• Is my summer vacation to Italy a good topic for my college essay? (I have pictures, too.)
• How do I pull together all the notes I've taken to study for a test?
• To study better, I want to get organized with some of the stuff I see advertised. What should be on my shopping list?
• What does it mean to live in a credential society?
• What kind of careers are available for someone with a degree in English?
• What can I do if I think my teacher gave me the wrong grade?
• How do I choose a college major?
• I have too many projects and not enough hours in the day. Is 8 hours of sleep really that important?
• How do I choose a topic for a personal essay?
• What tips can you give me for studying for a test on something I've read?
• How do I write a good research paper?
• How can I highlight my textbooks efficiently?
• How do I convince my parents to spend a few extra bucks to upgrade from a dial-up connection to broadband like a cable modem or DSL? They say I have to give some benefits for spending extra.
• What do you do when you're lost; when you can't concentrate and have lost your will to succeed? How can you get back on track?
• Is homework important?
• What is your opinion of the rise of virtual actors and the fall of live ones, what do you think about virtual actors taking the place of live ones?
• My mom and my friends say I should quit doing something [swimming, tennis, violin, honors classes], but I love all the things I do. What can I do?
• I started my first job a couple weeks ago (just for the summer). Do you have any tips for getting along with everybody at work?
• Is it still important for people who develop Web pages to know HTML? If so, why?
• When I am making a speech or a presentation in front of the class, my face or body automatically shivers. My voice gets weird also. How can I stop it?
• I want to finish high school in 3 years instead of 4, but I am not sure it is a good idea. What do you think?
• What are some occupations involving astronomy?
• If I'm going to college for a degree in art, are all of my other classes even worth taking?
• Are your freshmen grades important to get into college?
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• For Milton Friedman, what are the social responsibilities of business?
• What is The Fed and is it good or bad?
• What is a Ponzi scheme?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of Gross Domestic Product?
• What is full employment and why is it difficult to measure?
• What's a recession?
• What is economics?
• My parents and I are looking to buy a car for me I am 17 and I will be added to my parents insurance What cars have the lowest insurance rates but are still cool to drive
• What is marketing?
• Can you explain to me the impact money will have on the future (or my future. I am 16 years old)?
• Are there any Spanish words bearing even a minute similarity to the name Peter? Not a name, but any word that is in any way similar to Peter.
• Who led American efforts in Paris to gain French support during the American Revolution?
• I need help locating a Web site that has pronunciation of the Spanish alphabet. For example, in English we sing", A, B, C, D, E, F, G . . .etc. Where can I find the Spanish alphabet?"
• I know that there is no elision with French possessive adjectives. So what's the deal with: Qui est ton artiste favorite ?
• I’m taking Spanish and need some good ways to study for tests. Do you have any tips?
• In Spanish how do I know when to use de, del, a and al?
• I'm going to be starting a new foreign language, and I'm not sure which language to take: French or Spanish. I know some French, but only greetings. Which do you think?
• What is the term for when the Congressional majority represents the opposite party of the President?
• Where in the U.S. Constitution are health and property mentioned?
• To what extent did the Cold War shape the American domestic life of the 1950s?
• The 10th Amendment does what?
• How did the United States respond to Communist revolutions in Cuba and Nicaragua?
• Which U.S. presidents also served in the House of Representatives?
• What does the FCC regulate?
• Who were the major political players during the Reagan Administration? Who helped shape President Reagan's legacy?
• Who was the first Secretary of State for the United States?
• Do prisoners deserve to be educated?
• The death penalty has always interested me. What are the different ways you can execute someone without it being cruel or unusual?
• Who were the major congressional participants in developing Social Security legislation?
• With so many delegates speaking so many different languages, how does the United Nations get anything done?
• I love watching TV court shows, and would enjoy them more if I understood some of the legal jargon, like ex post facto. What does that mean?
• What is habeas corpus, and where is it guaranteed by law?
• Where is the establishment of religion clause in the U.S. Constitution?
• What's the point of making texting while driving illegal?
• Have social conservatives captured the Republican Party?
• Why are Republicans (or those who favor capitalism) called the right" or "right-wing" and Democrats (or those who favor social issues) called the "left?""
• Who were the War Hawks?
• What are the differences in the ways the House and the Senate conduct debates on a bill?
• What is WikiLeaks?
• How long do oral arguments last in Supreme Court cases?
• What do you think are some reasons why the President was given almost unlimited military powers? What are some possible positive and negative effects resulting from the scope of the President's military power?
• Why is the United States government so worried about North Korea?
• Did Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation actually free any slaves?
• How were U.S. Senators originally chosen?
• What changes in American society have created new issues for the government to address?
• What was the Tweed Ring?
• What do you think secret service for the Obama girls is like? Is there a dude with a gun and stuff sitting next to them in class? Wouldn't that make it hard for them to concentrate?
• How many representatives does each state have in the House of Representatives?
• What is the difference between the Senate Majority/Minority leaders and the Senate Whip?
• How are justices to the U.S. Supreme Court elected? Is this a good or a bad thing?
• What type of education do you need to become Speaker of the House?
• I heard a rumor that if you modify the photo by at least 10%, it doesn't matter if it's copyrighted and you can use it however. Is that true?
• What do security and infringed mean in the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution?
• What did Abraham Lincoln mean by A house divided against itself cannot stand"?"
• Who is the only U.S. President who never won a nationwide election?
• What is the current law on compulsory vaccinations in the U.S.? Are there any exceptions for people who don't want to get vaccinated?
• After the stock market crash, how did President Hoover try to help the economy?
• My economics teacher said something about stagflation , what is that, exactly?
• How do interest groups play a role in American government?
• Has Thanksgiving always been on the same day?
• Can someone who's not a Republican or Democrat win an election?
• What can you tell me about the 1976 presidential election?
• The Electoral College — can anyone apply?
• How do lobbyists influence public policy decisions?
• What happens if the president doesn't like a piece of legislation?
• What are the legal elements of a crime?
• How did the Whiskey Rebellion change people's perception of federal laws in the United States?
• How do federal judges get their jobs?
• If you are dressed to conform to an informal, verbal dress code but a different, written dress code is enforced and you get in trouble, do you have a First Amendment right to challenge it? My teachers enforce the dress code inconsistently.
• How does the CIA recruit people? What types of majors do they typically target?
• What is the importance of the Declaration of Independence? Why would the founders of our country need to declare" their freedom? Why is it so important today?"
• What is Presidential Veto Power?
• What is the purpose of government, and how does a bill become law?
• Is there a way, other than retiring, to get out of the Supreme Court (such as being dismissed)?
• When did the pocket veto start?
• Who would serve as the new president if both the president and vice president resigned?
• What was the difference in history between the Middle Ages (Medieval Times) and the Renaissance?
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• Differences Between Public Universities and Private Schools
• Entering College Without a Major in Mind
• Figure Out Your College Preference
• Freshman Dorm Life: Choosing a Roommate
• Gain an Edge with Community Service
• Apply to College Online
• Approach AP Essay Questions with Ease
• Choose the Right Dorm
• Choosing a College: The Importance of the Campus Tour
• Choosing Between a Large or Small College
• Get a Clue about Community College
• The College Admissions Interview
• Get College Info from People around You
• Getting Into College: Letters of Recommendation
• Getting the Most from Your High School Guidance Counselor
• Going to College When You Have a Disability
• How College Applications Are Reviewed to Determine Acceptance
• How Many Colleges Should You Apply To?
• Keep Track of Test Time: Exam Calendar
• Know What Colleges Are Looking For
• Know Which Exam's Right for You
• Pack Your Bags for SAT* Exam Day
• Plan Wisely for Campus Visits
• Planning High School Summers with an Eye toward College Admissions
• Prepare for the Revised SAT*
• Put Together a College Admission Timeline
• Read the Right Stuff for the AP* English Literature Exam
• Save Yourself from Senioritis
• Start Earning College Credit Early
• Student Diversity as an Important Factor in Considering Colleges
• Taking a Year Off between High School and College
• Take the Right High School Classes to Get into College
• Technology and the College Application Process
• Understanding Subject Tests and College Admissions
• Understanding Your Academic Average and Class Rank
• Weighing One College's Degree Program against Another
• Write a College Admissions Essay
• What Are College Early Action Admissions Plans?
• What Are College Early Decision and Regular Decision Admissions Plans?
• What Are College Rolling Admissions Plans?
• Where Can I Find Info to Compare Colleges?
• Find Out about Federal Student Aid
• Filling Out the FAFSA
• Get to Know the CSS Profile Form
• Getting Financial Aid Information at School
• How to Consolidate Private Student Loans
• Avoid Negotiating with Financial Aid Offers
• Avoid Scholarship Scams
• Borrow for College without Going Bust
• Building a Budget after College with a Financial Diary
• Consider the Federal Work-Study Program
• Considering a PLUS Loan
• Deal with the FAFSA
• Dealing with Private Student Loans during Financial Hardship
• Debunking Some Common Myths about Financial Aid
• How to Gather Information on Your Private Student Loans
• The Differences between Scholarship and Student Loan Payouts
• The Federal Pell Grant System
• Loan Forgiveness of Your Student Loans
• Negotiating Rent on an Apartment
• Organize Student Loans with a Private Loans Chart
• Overpaying on Student Loans for Quicker Payoff
• Places You Might Not Think to Look for Scholarships
• Put "Sticker Price" in Perspective
• Student Loan Deferments and Forbearance
• Try to Sweeten Your Financial Aid Package
• Transfer Private Student Loan Debt to Low-Rate Credit Cards
• Understanding Repayment Periods on Private Student Loans
• What Happens If You Miss a Student Loan Payment?
• After the Rush: Pledging a Sorority
• Avoid Alcohol and Drug Temptations
• Back to School Considerations for Adult Learners
• College Professors Appreciate Good Behavior
• Consider Studying Abroad
• Deal with the Roommate Experience
• Decide if the Greek Life Is for You
• Decide on a Major
• Find Yourself a Used Car for College
• Fit Sleep into Student Life
• Freshman Year Extracurricular Goals
• Get By on a Limited Cash Flow
• Get Creative for Summer after College Freshman Year
• Get the Hang of the Add/Drop Process
• Get with the Program: Internships, Work-Study, and Service Learning
• How to Evaluate Campus Life during a College Visit
• Job Shadow to Explore Careers
• Key In to Effective Study Habits
• Maintain Your Mental Health
• Make the Most of Taking Lecture Notes
• Pack Up for College
• Prepare for College Instructor/Student Expectations
• Put Together a Bibliography or Works Cited
• Research on the Internet
• Rule Out Academic Dishonesty
• Say No to Dating College Friends' Siblings or Exes
• Student Teaching: Test Drive Your Career in Education
• Taking a Gamble: Gaming on Campus
• Transferring from Community College to Four-Year Institution
• Understand Types of Research Material
• What to Expect from Sorority Rush
• Work at a Part-Time Job
• Write a Top-Notch Research Paper
• Why do some critics want the 22nd Amendment repealed?
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• Years ago I learned that our national highway system has built-in runways for emergency landing strips. Is this still true?
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• I know that the days of the week are all named after Norse or Roman gods or the sun and moon, but I can't figure out what Tuesday is named for. Do you know?
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• Who were the Ottomans?
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• 1What does the cormorant (bird) symbolize in mythology?
• How did Peter I of Russia come to power?
• What can you tell me about Kwanzaa?
• What is the Alma-Ata declaration?
• I've heard that in some countries, everyone has to sign up for the military between high school and college. Is that true?
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• Why did Cromwell dissolve the first Protectorate parliament?
• Why does The Great Depression end when the United States enters World War II?
• What place did the underworld have in Egyptian mythology?
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• Who was the most famous mathematician?
• Where did Christopher Columbus land when he reached the Americas?
• Who had control of more states during the American Civil War, the North or the South?
• How did Zeus become ruler of the Greek gods?
• Why does Santa Claus have so many names — Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, and Kris Kringle?
• What is antidisestablishmentarianism?
• What is Leningrad known as today?
• Who were the leading figures in the Classical period of music?
• Why didn't the Pope allow Henry VIII a divorce, and who was Catherine of Aragon's relative who came and held siege?
• Who wrote, A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still"?"
• Was the Spanish Armada large, and did its crews have notable sailing skill?
• What was the cause of the War of Spanish Succession?
• What is the song Yankee Doodle Dandy" really about?"
• What's the story of the Roanoke colony?
• How does history reflect what people were thinking at the time?
• My teacher says there's more than one kind of history. How can that be?
• What were the turning points in World War II?
• We just started studying Spanish exploration in North America. What makes it so important today?
• What was it like for women in the 1920s?
• Have Americans always been big on sports?
• Who invented baseball?
• What did American Indians have to give up for pioneers?
• How did imperialism spread around the world?
• How did Imperialism in India come about?
• What's the big deal about Manifest Destiny?
• How did the Tet Offensive affect public opinion about the Vietnam War?
• Why did Christian Lous Lange deserve the Nobel Peace Prize in 1921?
• Where do the four suits in a deck of cards originate? What do they represent?
• What was the Roe v. Wade trial?
• Who is Constantine?
• I need to know some info on the Monroe Doctrine. I have looked everywhere but I still can't find any information. Can you PLEASE help?
• Where did the chair originate from? I was sitting on one the other day and it said Made in China," but where did it first come from?"
• What kind of cash crops did they grow in the South in early America?
• Everyone talks about how enlightened the Mayans were, but what did they really do?
• What caused the fall of the Roman Empire? Did Christianity play a role?
• What was the reason for the downfall of the Russian Empire in 1917?
• What prompted slavery? Why were the Africans chosen for enslavement?
• How did World War I start and end?
• What is The Palestinian Conflict?
• I don't really understand the French Revolution. What started it, and what stopped it?
• What was the doctor's diagnosis of Helen Keller when she was a baby?
• What is the Trail of Tears?
• When speaking about Native Americans, what is the difference between an Indian tribe and an Indian Nation?
• What happened during the Boston Massacre?
• What was sectionalism in America before the Civil War?
• How did the U.S. attempt to avoid involvement in World War II?
• What is Ronald Reagan's Tear down this wall" speech about?"
• Can you describe the United States policy of containment and show an example of an event when the policy was used and why?
• How many countries are there in the world?
• What did Columbus do besides sail to the New World?
• My history teacher said that if your religious denomination isn't Catholic, than you are a Protestant. Is she right?
• Do you think that Mormons are Christians? What is the full name of the Mormon Church?
• What principles of the Belmont Report were violated in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study?
• What is the size of Europe in square miles?
• The United States was given the right to establish naval bases in the British West Indies during World War II by the British Government in exchange for what?
• How were the Crusades a turning point in Western history?
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• What does impertinent mean (from The American )?
• I know that the verb pluck means to pull out or pull at, but what's the definition when used as a noun?
• Which novels would you recommend to 15-year-olds on the theme of places and forms of power?
• In The Pearl, why didn't John Steinbeck give the pearl buyers identifying names?
• In the play, The Crucible , why would Arthur Miller include the Note on Historical Accuracy?
• What is perfidy (from Sister Carrie, by Theodore Dreiser)?
• Is being pedantic a good or bad thing?
• Is a termagant a type of seabird?
• What is ichor (from The Iliad )?
• In The Hunger Games, why did Cinna choose to be the designer for District 12?
• Is a rivulet really a river, only smaller?
• Charles Dickens has this person called the beadle" in lots of his books. Is that like a nickname for a man with buggy eyes or something?"
• In Brave New World, why are family words like father and mother viewed as obscene?
• What is the main tenet of stoicism?
• What's the meaning of obsequious (from Theodore Dreiser's urban novel Sister Carrie )?
• Where are the Antipodes (from Much Ado about Nothing )?
• What is a truckle bed (from Romeo and Juliet )?
• What does truculent (from Great Expectations ) mean?
• If someone inculcates you, should you feel insulted?
• What does the phrase Ethiop words" mean in Shakespeare's As You Like It ?"
• I was chatting with a neighbor who said I was quite garrulous . Nice or mean?
• What does laconic mean?
• At a restaurant famous for its rude servers, a waitress told me to lump it" when I asked for another napkin. Can you tell me about that phrase?"
• What does urbane (from Daisy Miller ) mean?
• I thought necro had something to do with being dead. So, what's a necromancer ? Sounds creepy.
• In The House of Mirth, this guy named Gus Trenor is eating a jellied plover." Is that some kind of doughnut?"
• What are some well-known novels whose titles are quotations from Shakespeare?
• In Orwell's 1984, what does the opening sentence suggest about the book?
• Understanding the literary genre Magical Realism
• What's a prig?
• I asked my granddad if he liked his new apartment and he said, It's all hunky-dory, kiddo." What did he mean?"
• What does mephitic (from Man and Superman ) mean?
• I hate finding typos in books. Here's one I've seen several times: jalousies instead of jealousies.
• On the second week of my summer job at a bookstore, my boss handed me an envelope with what she called my emoluments. Looked like a paycheck to me, though.
• In To Kill a Mockingbird, what are some examples of the characters having courage?
• What's cud? I was once told to stop chewing my cud and get back to work.
• What can you tell me about the word patois from The Awakening ?
• What are thews (from Ivanhoe )?
• What does pot-shop (from The Pickwick Papers ) mean?
• Are all dowagers women?
• If someone is the titular head of a political party, does it mean they have all the power?
• The word flummox confuses me. What does it mean?
• Somebody told me I looked pasty. Does that mean I've eaten too many sweets?
• I started taking private bassoon lessons. When I arrived at my teacher’s house, he told me to wait in the anteroom. I wasn’t sure where to go.
• Is anomalous the same as anonymous ?
• I know that a fathom is a unit of measure used by sailors, but how long is a fathom?
• What is a joss (from Victory, by Joseph Conrad)?
• What does eschew (from The Pickwick Papers ) mean?
• What does excrescence (from The Call of the Wild ) mean?
• What does the word covert mean?
• In Shakespeare's Sonnet 125, what is an oblation ?
• In Moby-Dick , what does vitiate mean?
• In War and Peace , what does bane mean?
• In Jane Eyre , what are chilblains ?
• Does mendacious refer to something that is fixable (mendable)?
• Is kickshawses one of those weird words that Shakespeare coined? What does it mean?
• You say in CliffsNotes that In Cold Blood was Truman Capote's undoing. How?
• What is renege , in Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra ?
• What is maxim ? I think it's a female name but I'm not sure.
• Last Valentine's Day, this guy I barely know gave me a rose and said something about ardent love. What does ardent mean?
• In Act I, Scene 1, of King Lear, what does benison mean?
• What kind of literature is a picaresque novel?
• What does culpable mean?
• What's a cenotaph ? Every Veterans Day, I hear about the Queen of England laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in London.
• What does gallimaufry mean in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo ? My vocabulary is pretty good, but that one has me stumped!
• What does it mean to genuflect ?
• Someone told me I was looking wistful. What is wistful ?
• In David Copperfield, what does superannuated mean?
• Does the word syllogism have something to do with biology?
• I see the word benefactor a lot in my reading assignments. Is that somebody who benefits from something?
• I found a funny word in The Glass Castle. Where did skedaddle come from and what does it mean?
• Does sinuous mean something like full of sin"? I saw the word in The Devil in the White City ."
• In Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, what is the meaning of the word propaganda ?
• What are characteristics of Modernist literature, fiction in particular?
• What does my brother mean when he says he's too ensconced in his studies to look for a girlfriend?
• My grandpa complained about a bunch of politicians making what he called chin music . Did he mean they were in a loud band?
• What is melodrama?
• In Dracula, what's a missal ?
• In the terms abject poverty and abject misery, what does abject mean?
• In Moby-Dick, what does craven mean?
• What does cicatrize mean?
• What is a noisome smell" in Tolstoy's War and Peace ?"
• What is an apostasy, from the George Bernard Shaw play, Man and Superman ?
• In Jane Eyre, what's syncope ?
• I just read Dracula. What's the forcemeat in Jonathan Harker's journal?
• Can the word stern mean more than one thing?
• Where is Yoknapatawpha county?
• What does smouch mean?
• I'm supposed to write a comparison of Hektor and Achilles from Homer's The Iliad, but I don't know where to start.
• How do you pronounce quay ? And what does it mean, anyway?
• What are some examples of paradox in the novel Frankenstein ?
• In Ivanhoe, what does mammock mean?
• What does rummage mean?
• Is a mummer some type of religious person?
• Some guy I don't like told his friend I was acting all demure. What does that mean?
• When I complained about our cafeteria food, my biology teacher told me he wished they'd serve agarics. Was he talking about some kind of dessert?
• Where did the name Of Mice and Men come from?
• What genre would you consider the book, The Outsiders ?
• In Fahrenheit 451, why would a society make being a pedestrian a crime?
• What does the phrase, a worn-out man of fashion" mean from Jane Eyre ?"
• Is sagacity a medical condition?
• My teacher told me I was being obdurate. Was that a compliment?
• What motives inspired Iago to plot revenge against Othello?
• Who was the first king of Rome?
• What does enervate mean?
• What is a parvenu ? I saw the word in William Makepeace Thackeray's book Vanity Fair.
• Is salubrity somehow related to being famous?
• Do capers have something to do with cops?
• What's the difference between a soliloquy and a monologue?
• In A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, James Joyce uses the word pandybat . What's a pandybat?
• Does the word inexorable have something to do with driving demons out of a person?
• Do people who prognosticate have some sort of special power?
• What is a hegemony, from James Joyce's Ulysses ?
• What are fallow fields ? I'm a city gal who heard the term at a 4-H fair and just read it in Anna Karenina.
• What's the difference between parody and satire?
• Lord of the Flies uses the word inimical. What does it mean?
• What does dreadnaught mean, as it’s used in Bleak House?
• I saw vertiginous in Madame Bovary. What does mean the word mean?
• What does overweening mean, in Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes?
• Can you hear a dirge anyplace but a funeral?
• Does imperturbable refer to something you can't break through?
• What are the seven ages of man?
• What is a chimera , in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë?
• What's dross ?
• What is an injunction ?
• For school I had to make a Napoleon hat, which called for a cockade. What is that?
• If someone studies assiduously, does it mean they're working really hard or really slowly?
• Define mood as it relates to a work of fiction. Distinguish mood from effect.
• My sister calls me the Princess of Prevarication." What's prevarication ?"
• What's turpitude, as in moral turpitude"?"
• What's the definition of tenebrous ?
• This biography I'm reading about Queen Victoria says that she refused to remove the hatchment she had for her husband Prince Albert. What does that word mean?
• What does sine qua non mean?
• What's lugubrious mean?
• What's impugn mean, from Ivanhoe?
• What does postprandial mean?
• I love reading fashion magazines and occasionally come across the word atelier. What is that?
• What does King Lear mean when he says that ingratitude is a marble-hearted fiend"?"
• What is celerity , from Ivanhoe ?
• In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein , what are disquisitions ?
• What's shrive ? My neighbor said she's been unshriven for years, but I think her skin looks quite shriveled.
• What's a dobbin ?
• What's polemic ? Over winter break, my uncle told me I was polemic and asked if I was on the debate team at school.
• I came across a list of homonyms: mu, moo, moue . I know mu is Greek for the letter m , and moo is the sound cows make, but what's a moue ?
• What does trow mean?
• In Far from the Madding Crowd , what does cavil mean?
• What does Charles Dickens mean when he says “toadies and humbugs” in his book, Great Expectations ?
• Where can I find the word naught in The Scarlet Letter ?
• I found an old diary from the 1800s where the writer describes how he almost died but was saved by a sinapism . What is that?
• I know what mulch is, but what's mulct ?
• When our teacher was introducing the next reading assignment, he said we'll be using the unexpurgated version. What did he mean?
• For some reason, the word dingle sticks in my head after having read Treasure Island years ago. I never did discover what it meant. How about it, Cliff?
• In Dracula , what's stertorous breathing?
• What does philippic mean?
• I'm usually pretty good at guessing what words mean, but have no clue about exigence . What is it?
• What's doughty ? How do you pronounce it?
• What's sharecropping? I'm kind of embarrassed to ask, because it's one of those words everyone assumes you know what it means.
• I'm working on my summer reading list with Kafka's The Trial. The very first sentence uses traduce , and I don't know what that means.
• What does the cormorant (bird) symbolize in mythology?
• I saw the word badinage in the book Uncle Tom's Cabin . Do you think that's a typo that really should be bandage ?
• On a TV modeling contest, a judge said, Her simian walk is unbelievable." Was that a good thing?"
• What is the definition of adverbiously , from Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities ?
• In Oliver Twist , Dodger refers to Oliver as flash companion . Can't find a definition of this anywhere. What does it mean?
• Do elocutionists kill people?
• For my English homework, I have to write a love poem. I'm only 13 and I haven't had my first love yet. How would I go about writing about feelings that I haven't felt yet?
• Where on the body would I find my sarcophagus ?
• What's stolid ? It sounds like someone who's stupid and built solid like a wall.
• What's a wonton person?
• In which play did William Shakespeare state that misery loves company?
• What's comfit ? Is it a different way of saying comfort?
• Where did the story Frankenstein by Mary Shelley take place?
• What kind of person would a shallow-pate be?
• What are myrmidons of Justice" in Great Expectations ?"
• Faseeshis … no clue on the spelling, but I kind of got yelled at in school today for being that. What did I do?
• In The Red Badge of Courage , what's an imprecation ?
• The word portmanteau shows up in a lot of the literature I read for school assignments. It sounds French. What does it mean?
• I did something really stupid yesterday, and my grandfather told me I was hoist with my own petard." What does that mean? And what's a petard ?"
• How do you pronounce Cymbeline, one of Shakespeare's early comedies?
• What's a bourse ? I read it in my finance class.
• In The House of Mirth, what are oubliettes ?
• In Tess of the d'Urbervilles, what are thimble-riggers ?
• In Wuthering Heights , what's a thible ?
• Which Hemingway story references the running of the bulls" in Spain?"
• What's a clink? My dad mentioned that his granddad was there for a long time during World War I.
• If somebody is toady," does it mean they're ugly?"
• Who said all's fair in love and war" and where?"
• Why is there so much talk about baseball, especially Joe DiMaggio, in The Old Man and the Sea ?
• In the movie Failure to Launch , there's a line that goes, Well, she certainly is yar," in reference to a yacht. What's yar ?"
• What does mangle mean in Charles Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities ?
• I got detention because a teacher said I was being contumacious . What's that?
• What are encomiums?
• What are billets in The Three Musketeers ?
• In Orwell's 1984 , what is doublethink ?
• What are orts ? That's a weird word that reminds me of orcs from The Lord of the Rings .
• What are alliteration and assonance?
• How is John the Savage's name ironic in Brave New World ?
• What's quinsy?
• What is a doppelgänger?
• What is New Historicism?
• I found the word unwonted in a book I'm reading. Is that a typo, you think?
• In Heart of Darkness , what does cipher mean?
• In the play The Glass Menagerie, would you describe Tom as selfish?
• What does Kantian mean, from a philosophical perspective?
• What's a colonnade ? My girlfriend is freaking me out with stories of her dream wedding where she walks down a colonnade. I know this is the least of my problems, but I'm curious.
• My grandma says she knows how I feel when I knit my brows. Is she crazy?
• Why is Shakespeare's play titled Julius Caesar , even though he is dead by Act III and plays a relatively small role?
• I know bier has something to do with dead people, but what is it exactly?
• My brainy brother owns a Harley and says his girlfriend is the pillion . Is he insulting her or just showing off?
• I ran across the word mien in a book. Is it a typo?
• Is a younker a person or a place?
• Does precipitancy have something to do with the weather?
• I'm writing a grade 12 comparative essay, and I need a book that I could compare with All Quiet on the Western Front. Any suggestions?
• A friend says she suffers from ineffable sadness. What's ineffable ?
• What's a scow ?
• Is a maelstrom some kind of dangerous weather?
• What is the meaning of this saying, The cat will mew and dog will have his day"?"
• What is a paradox ?
• The Picture of Dorian Gray mentions a panegyric on youth. What does that mean?
• In Madame Bovary , what's a mairie?
• In The Kite Runner, what's palliative mean?
• So what's oligarchy ? In government class, my teacher mentioned that word when we were talking about the Blagojevich scandal in Illinois.
• Is intrepidity a good thing or a bad thing?
• My grandmother told me that she thinks grandpa should see an alienist. Does she think he's from another planet or what?
• Do you have to have licentiousness to get your driver's license?
• I ran across the word hardihood in something I read the other day. Is it some kind of clothing?
• I saw mention of haversack in my history book. What does that word mean?
• I'm guessing the word quadroon is four of something. But what's a roon?
• I'm trying to understand Shakespeare's play, King Lear . Can you explain these quotes from Act 1, Scene 1?
• In Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment , what's a samovar ?
• I came across a music channel that featured tejano," and then I saw the same word when I was reading Bless Me, Ultima. What does it mean?"
• In The Awakening , there's a term prunella gaiter." I'm guessing that gaiters are a type of covering for your legs, like the gaiters I use on my ski boots to keep snow out. But what the heck is prunella? Is it a purplish color like prunes?"
• What's sedulous mean?
• In Chapter 2 of Jane Eyre , what are divers parchments ?
• A friend of mine said she hopes to get a counterpane for Christmas. What's that?
• In Wuthering Heights, what does munificent mean?
• The other day, my dad called my friends a motley crew. Is that his way of saying I should hang out with a different crowd?
• Why is there an authorship problem with Shakespeare?
• What is it called when something is out of place in time, like a jet stream in a movie about ancient Rome?
• In 1984 , does Winston die from a bullet at the end of the book or is he in a dream-state?
• I saw some old guy in a soldier's uniform selling fake red flowers. He said it was for Veterans Day. What's the connection?
• I was kind of flirting with this really cute boy when my teacher told me to stop palavering. Did she want me to stop flirting or stop talking?
• My grandmother says when she was a kid in China, she became Catholic because of the Mary Knows nuns. I tried to look that up on the Internet but couldn't find anything. Can you help?
• In The Count of Monte Cristo , does cupidity mean love? I'm guessing that because of, you know, Cupid . . . Valentine's Day.
• My theater teacher called me a name the other day. I don't think it was supposed to be a compliment. What's a somnambulist, anyway?
• Why was Tartuffe such a jerk?
• To Kill a Mockingbird has this word fey in it, but I don't know what it means. Does it mean short lived or fleeting?
• In Pride and Prejudice , what's probity" &mdash
• I never met my grandma, who my mom says lives in a hovel and wants her to move in with us. Then I saw that word in Frankenstein . What's a hovel? I thought it was like a place that had room service.
• I have a friend who said something about phantasmagoric. That's not real, is it?
• Which of the following literary devices is used in these poetic lines by John Milton?
• In Faulkner's A Rose for Emily," what does noblesse oblige mean?"
• What is love?
• What is suggested by the coin image in Book II of A Tale of Two Cities ?
• Why does Satan rebel against God?
• I'm reading Candide, by Voltaire, and one of the dudes is an Anabaptist. What's that?
• What does the poem Summer Sun" by Robert Louis Stevenson really mean?"
• What did Shakespeare want to say about his beloved in Sonnet 18?
• In Romeo and Juliet , who was the last person to see Juliet alive?
• What is the Catechism?
• What is the overall meaning of the poem Before The Sun," by Charles Mungoshi?"
• What does ague mean?
• Is there a reference to venereal disease in Romeo and Juliet ?
• What is fantasy fiction?
• What is the exposition in Othello ?
• Who is the character Susan in Romeo and Juliet ?
• What is a found poem?
• What did Alice Walker mean in the essay Beauty"?"
• Why did Dr. Frankenstein create his monster?
• What is the name of the surgeon and the English ship he's on in Moby-Dick ?
• What are the differences between an epic hero and a Romantic hero?
• In Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead, does Gail Wynand commit suicide or only close The Banner at the end of the novel? I'm in a literary dispute over this!
• What did W.E.B. Du Bois mean when he wrote of second-sight?
• What is nihilism, and what should I read to get a better understanding of it?
• What is the difference between an atheist and an agnostic?
• What are intelligent design and creationism and how are they related?
• What is misanthropy ?
• I would like to understand the poem Blight" by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Please help."
• Can you explain the significance of the question, Which came first, the chicken or the egg?""
• In Little Lost Robot," by Isaac Asimov, why have some robots been impressioned with only part of the First Law of Robotics?"
• Can you explain Cartesian Dualism and how Descartes' philosophical endeavors led him to dualism?
• When reading Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice , what does entailment mean?
• What does ignominy mean? (From Shelley's Frankenstein )
• What does pecuniary mean? (From Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities )
• How do I analyze Kant's philosophy?
• What is an apostrophe in Macbeth ?
• Is music a language?
• Why should literature be studied?
• In the book The Scarlet Letter , what is a vigil ?
• The first week of school isn't even over yet and I'm already in trouble — I forgot my textbook at school and can't do my homework! What should I do now?!
• What are the renaissance features/characteristics in Hamlet ?
• What is the exact quote in Hamlet about something being wrong in Denmark? Something smells? Something is amiss?
• What does Utilitarianism mean, from a philosophical perspective?
• What was the form of English that Shakespeare used?
• At the beginning of Act V, Scene 2 of Much Ado About Nothing, does Shakespeare insinuate that anything is going on between Margaret and Benedick?
• What was the "final solution" in the book Night by Elie Wiesel?
• With the many novels out there, is there a database of some sort that can narrow down your choices to a specific book of interest for pleasure reading? And if not, why hasn't there been?
• How do you pronounce Houyhnhnms ? (From Swift's Gulliver's Travels )
• I just took the quiz on The Great Gatsby on this site. How can Jordan Baker be described as a professional golfer? To my knowledge, the LPGA did not form until the mid-1950s. Shouldn't she be referred to as an amateur golfer instead?
• What are the humanities?
• If Father, Son, and Holy Ghost aren't names, what is God's name?
• What classic novels take place in Florida?
• In which Hemingway short story is the saying, "Children's shoes for sale"?
• Who is the "lady" that Robert Plant speaks of in the song "Stairway to Heaven"?
• Was Odysseus the one who planned the Trojan horse, in the Trojan War?
• How do I get my smart-but-hates-to-read son interested in reading?
• Poetry gives me problems. How can I figure out what poems are about?
• How do you analyze a novel?
• What does it mean to ululate ? (From Golding's Lord of the Flies )
• Is ambrosia a salad? (From Homer's The Odyssey )
• What is a harbinger ? (From Shakespeare's Macbeth )
• What does it mean to be refractory ? (From Dickens' Great Expectations )
• What is a querulous kid? (From Wharton's Ethan Frome )
• What does the word runagate mean? (From Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet )
• What is the word, imprimis ? (From Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew )
• What does the word alchemy mean? (From Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter )
• What is an estuary ? (From Conrad's Heart of Darkness )
• What or who is a scullion ? (From Shakespeare's Hamlet )
• What is a schism ? (From Swift's Gulliver's Travels )
• What does it mean to be salubrious ? (From Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights )
• What is a replication ? (From Shakespeare's Hamlet )
• What is vicissitude ? (From Hawthorne's The House of Seven Gables )
• Can you define indolent ? (From Wharton's House of Mirth )
• What does the word replete mean? (From Shakespeare's Henry V )
• What are orisons ? (From Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet )
• What does it mean to be ephemeral ?
• What does it mean to be placid ? (From Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre )
• What is a paroxysm ? (From Stoker's Dracula )
• My English teacher got really mad when I said I was nauseous . Why?
• What does it mean to be farinaceous ? (From Tolstoy's Anna Karenina )
• What does dejection mean? (From Shelley's Frankenstein )
• What is animadversion ? (From Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter )
• What does it mean to be timorous ? (From Shakespeare's Othello )
• Someone called me erudite . Is that good?
• What is a mountebank ? (From Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter )
• What does incarnadine mean? (From Shakespeare's Macbeth )
• What does it mean to be puissant? (From Shakespeare's Julius Caesar)
• What is a purloiner? (From Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities)
• What does it mean to be affable ? (From Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment )
• What does it mean to be ostensible ? (From Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court )
• What does compunction mean? (From Dickens's Bleak House )
• What is behoveful ? (From Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet )
• What is a precentor ? (From Golding's Lord of the Flies )
• What does it mean to be loquacious ? (From Cervantes's Don Quixote )
• What does imprudence mean? (From Ibsen's A Doll's House )
• What is a conflagration ? (From Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde )
• What does it mean to be spurious ? (From James' Daisy Miller )
• What is a retinue ? (From Swift's Gulliver's Travels )
• What does the word forsworn mean? (From Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet )
• What does the word hauteur mean? (From Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby )
• What are vituperations ? (From Jacobs' Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl )
• What are ostents ? (From Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice )
• What is a sockdolager ? (From Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn )
• What does insuperable mean? (From Shelley's Frankenstein )
• What is calumny ? (From Shakespeare's Hamlet )
• What is an augury ? (From Sophocles' Antigone )
• What does squally mean? (From Dickens' Great Expectations )
• What does corporal mean? (From Shakespeare's Macbeth )
• What does it mean to be plausible ? (From Sinclair's The Jungle )
• What is a dearth ? (From Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre )
• What does it mean to vacillate ? (From Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest )
• What does it mean to obtrude someone? (From Dickens's Great Expectations )
• What is a heterodox ? (From Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter )
• What is felicity ? (From Austen's Emma )
• What does it mean to be effacing ? (From Adams's The Education of Henry Adams )
• What is a repast ? (From Chan Tsao's Dream of the Red Chamber )
• What does insouciance mean? (From Sinclair's The Jungle )
• What is a soliloquy ? (From Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn )
• I was reading The Iliad and there's this word in it: greaves . What's that?
• What does the word prodigality mean? (From Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby )
• Is there an easy way to understand The Canterbury Tales ?
• What does the scarlet letter symbolize?
• What is the significance of Grendel's cave in Beowulf ?
• How did Hawthorne show that Hester Prynne was a strong woman in The Scarlet Letter ?
• What purpose do the three witches serve at the beginning of Macbeth ?
• What can you tell me about Grendel from Beowulf ?
• What figurative language does Stephen Crane use in The Red Badge of Courage ?
• Why is Roger so mean in Lord of the Flies ?
• How do Gene and Finny mirror each other in A Separate Peace ?
• The old man and the young wife — what's up with story plots like this?
• What part does vengeance play in The Odyssey ?
• What kind of a woman is Penelope in The Odyssey ?
• Do fate and fortune guide the actions in Macbeth ?
• How does Frankenstein relate to Paradise Lost ?
• How has the way people view Othello changed over time?
• How does Henry change throughout The Red Badge of Courage ?
• What's so great about Gatsby?
• How is To Kill a Mockingbird a coming-of-age story?
• Why did Ophelia commit suicide in Hamlet ?
• What is the setting of The Scarlet Letter ?
• What is a slave narrative?
• What's an anachronism ?
• Doesn't Raskolnikov contradict himself in Crime and Punishment ?
• What is the main theme of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn ?
• What does Shakespeare mean by memento mori ?
• What are inductive and deductive arguments?
• How does Alice Walker break the rules" of literature with The Color Purple ?"
• What role does Friar Laurence play in Romeo and Juliet ?
• Why did Elie Wiesel call his autobiography Night ?
• How does Shakespeare play with gender roles in Macbeth ?
• Where did Dickens get the idea to write A Tale of Two Cities ?
• What's the purpose of the preface to The Scarlet Letter ?
• What role do women play in A Tale of Two Cities ?
• Who are the heroes and villains in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?
• What are the ides of March?
• Was Kate really a shrew in The Taming of the Shrew ?
• What role does innocence play in The Catcher in the Rye ?
• How are Tom and Huck different from each other in Huckleberry Finn ?
• What is blank verse and how does Shakespeare use it?
• How do the book and film versions of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest differ?
• What is a satirical novel?
• What is the role of censorship in Fahrenheit 451 ?
• How can I keep myself on track to get through my summer reading list?
• How does Jim fit into the overall theme of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn ?
• What is a major theme of The Great Gatsby ?
• How does Shakespeare use light and darkness in Romeo and Juliet ?
• Who is the narrator in Faulkner's A Rose for Emily"?"
• In Lord of the Flies , what statement is William Golding making about evil?
• How is The Catcher in the Rye different from other coming-of-age novels?
• How does Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird show two sides?
• Was there supposed to be a nuclear war in The Handmaid's Tale ? I couldn't tell.
• What is experimental theater"?"
• Does Jonas die at the end of The Giver ?
• What is an inciting incident, and how do I find one in Lord of the Flies ?
• How does King Arthur die?
• In Julius Caesar , what does this mean: Cowards die many times before their deaths
• How do you write a paper on comparing a movie with the book?
• Please explain this Kipling quote: Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.""
• What is a tragic flaw?
• What is a motif, and how can I find them in Macbeth ?
• Why didn't Socrates write any books? After all, he was supposed to be so intelligent and wise.
• Why are there blanks in place of people's names and places in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice ?
• Was Othello a king? A prince? He's referred to as My Lord" but I'm not sure of his actual title."
• I need to download some pictures of Juliet. Where would I find these?
• Why does Odysseus decide to listen to the Sirens, in The Odyssey , by Homer?
• What does prose and poetry mean? What's the difference?
• In The Scarlet Letter, why is the scaffold important and how does it change over the course of the novel?
• Why does the legend of King Arthur hold such a powerful grip over us?
• Do you like to read books?
• What are the metrical features in poetry?
• What are the riddles that Gollum asked Bilbo in The Hobbit ?
• Can you tell me what these two quotes from Much Ado About Nothing mean?
• What is connotation, and how do you find it in a poem?
• What is a dramatic monologue?
• What is formal fallacy?
• In the movie Dead Poets Society, what are some themes and values that are relevant to Transcendentalism. What is Transcendentalism?
• Why didn't Mina Harker realize she was under Dracula's spell when she witnessed her friend fall prey to him, too? Wasn't it obvious?
• In The Three Musketeers by Dumas, Cardinal Richelieu is labeled as the villain. How could he be presented as a hero instead?
• In Romeo and Juliet , what are the different types of irony used? Um, what's irony?
• What is the main theme in Fahrenheit 451 ?
• In Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities , what fact in Book the Second: Chapters 1-6, confirms Darnay's release?
• Why is Invisible Man considered a bildungsroman?
• In A Doll's House , what risqué item does Nora reveal to Dr. Rank that eventually prompts him to disclose his own secret?
• What is a definition of short story?
• What percentage of people are considered geniuses?
• How do I write and publish my own novel?
• Do I use the past or present tense to answer this question: What is this poem about?" "
• A Closer Look at Internships
• Consider Working for a Nonprofit Organization
• Create a Top-Quality Cover Letter
• Deciding Whether to Go for Your MBA
• Dress the Part for a Job Interview
• Appropriate Attire: Defining Business Casual
• Famous Americans Who Started Out in the Military
• The Benefits of Joining a Professional Organization
• Five Job Interview Mistakes
• Getting Good References for Your Job Hunt
• Lying on Your Resume
• Make the Most of Days between Jobs
• Military Career Opportunity: Translators and Interpreters
• Network Your Way into a Job
• Prepare for a Job Interview
• Preparing for Job Interview Questions
• Putting Your English Degree to Work
• Putting Your Education Degree to Work
• Take Advantage of Job and Career Fairs
• Tips for a Better Resume
• Understand Negotiable Elements of a Job Offer
• Visit the College Career Office
• Write a Resume That Will Get Noticed
• Write a Thank You Note after an Interview
• Writing a Follow-Up Letter after Submitting Your Resume
• Your Military Career: Basics of Officer Candidate School
• Your Military Career: Requirements for Officer Candidate School
• Know What to Expect in Graduate School
• Paying for Graduate School
• Plan for Graduate Education
• Tackle the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
• What Does School Accreditation Mean?
• Writing Essays for Your Business School Application
• Apply to Graduate School
• Basic Requirements for Grad School
• Choose a Graduate School
• Decide if Graduate School Is Right for You
• English Majors: Selecting a Graduate School or Program
• Getting Letters of Recommendation for Your Business School Application
• Graduate School Application: Tips, Advice, and Warnings
• Graduate School: Applying as a Returning Student
• How to Find a Mentor for Graduate School
• How to Prepare for Grad School as an Undergrad
• How Work Experience Affects Your MBA Application
• Master's Degree in Biology: Choosing a Grad School
• In what countries does Toyota produce and market cars?
• How would you use the PDSA cycle in your personal life?
• I am confused about adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing negative numbers.
• Who are some famous female mathematicians?
• Given the set of numbers [7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42], find a subset of these numbers that sums to 100.
• The speed limit on a certain part of the highway is 65 miles per hour. What is this in feet per minute?
• What is the sum of the angles of an octagon?
• In math, what does reciprocal mean?
• How many grams in an ounce?
• A number is 20 less than its square. Find all answers.
• How much is 1,000 thousands?
• How do I find the angles of an isosceles triangle whose two base angles are equal and whose third angle is 10 less than three times a base angle?
• Explain with words and an example how any number raised to the zero power is 1?
• If I had 550 coins in a machine worth $456.25, what would be the denomination of each coin?
• What three consecutive numbers add up to 417?
• How many 100,000,000s in 50 billion?
• Of 100 students asked if they like rock and roll or country music, 7 said they like neither, 90 said they like rock and roll, and 57 said they like country music. How many students like both?
• What's the formula to convert square feet into square meters?
• In math, what is the definition of order of operations?
• What's the difference between digital and analog?
• What is the square root of 523,457?
• What are all of the prime numbers?
• Our teacher told us to look for clues in math word problems. What did she mean?
• How do I figure out math word problems (without going crazy)?
• What good is geometry going to do me after I get out of school?
• I keep forgetting how to add fractions. Can you remind me?
• My teacher talks about the Greatest Common Factor. What's so great about it?
• Got any tips on finding percentages of a number?
• What does associative property mean when you’re talking about adding numbers?
• How do I use domain and range in functions?
• How do I change percents to decimals and fractions? How about decimals and fractions to percents?
• What should I do if my teacher wants me to solve an inequality on a number line?
• What is a fast and easy way to work word problems?
• How do you combine numbers and symbols in an algebraic equation?
• How do I go about rounding off a number?
• What is the First Derivative Test for Local Extrema?
• Can you describe a prism for me?
• How can I double-check my answers to math equations?
• How do you factor a binomial?
• I get the words mean , mode , median , and range mixed up in math. What do they all mean?
• How do you combine like terms in algebra?
• Can you make it easier for me to understand what makes a number a prime number?
• Explain probability to me (and how about some examples)?
• Solving story problems is, well, a problem for me. Can you help?
• What's inferential statistics all about?
• Finding percentages confuses me. Do you have any tips to make it simpler?
• What's a quadratic equation, and how do I solve one?
• How do you figure out probability?
• How do you add integers?
• How do you use factoring in quadratic equations?
• What are limits in calculus?
• I've looked everywhere to find the meaning of this word and I can't find it. What's the definition of tesseract ?
• In geometry, how do you get the perimeters of a square and a rectangle?
• What is the absolute value of a negative number?
• A rectangle swimming pool is 24m longer than it is wide and is surrounded by a deck 3m wide. Find the area of the pool if the area of the deck is 324m 2 . Where do I even start to solve this problem?
• How do you classify numbers, as in rational numbers, integers, whole numbers, natural numbers, and irrational numbers? I am mostly stuck on classifying fractions.
• How do you convert a fraction to a decimal or change a decimal to a fraction?
• I am trying to find all solutions to this algebra (factoring) problem, x 3 – 3x 2 – x + 3 = 0, and I keep getting the wrong answer. Please help!
• Sometimes when I'm doing my pre-calculus homework I need help on some of the problems. Do you know where I can find help on the weekends or whenever?
• How do you convert metric measurements?
• I'm curious about converting Celsius to Fahrenheit, or Fahrenheit to Celsius. How do I convert from one to the other?
• In basic math, the fraction bar shows division. So why does this equation show multiplication instead of division? 9/9 = 1 because 1 x 9 = 9.
• I'm taking geometry and I'm having problem with the angles and the degree. Is there a way you can help me out?
• The perimeter of a rectangle is 66m. The width is 9m less than the length. What is the length and width of the rectangle?
• How many dollars are in 5,000 pesos?
• How many ounces in a pound?
• I'm having a hard time remembering percent of change. All I have is P (percent) = amount of change over original amount. Is there a better way of understanding it?
• How do I figure out tangrams?
• What are quadrilaterals?
• What is the least common multiple of 8, 6, and 12?
• How do you convert decimals to fractions?
• How did the planet" Pluto get its name? I know it's named after the mythical god of the underworld, but why?"
• What is the difference between the earth's core and its crust?
• What does gender really mean?
• What does plum pudding have to do with physics?
• What is the functionalist perspective in sociology?
• What does pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis mean?
• Why aren't viruses considered living things?
• Why does your breathing rate increase when you exercise?
• Everyone says you shouldn't clean your ears with cotton swabs because you could break an eardrum. But if you do break your eardrum, will it grow back?
• What is a mole?
• How, and why, is body fat stored?
• Where on the body do you find ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium?
• Since she was only married for 72 days, does Kim Kardashian have to give back her wedding gifts?
• In the United States, how can you get buried at sea?
• What exactly is Salvia divinorum , and is it legal?
• What is the composition and volume of whole blood?
• Should I refer to a widow as Mrs., Miss, or Ms.?
• Is it possible to catch more than one cold at a time?
• Why does the Earth have more gravitational force than the moon or some other planet?
• Did humans evolve from monkeys or apes?
• What is the largest organ in the human body?
• How did we end up with both Fahrenheit and Celsius scales?
• What is absolute zero?
• What is cell theory?
• How come when humans flatulate, it smells bad?
• How do I convert mL into µL, and vice versa?
• What is the most abundant element in the earth's crust?
• Is global warming man-made?
• What exactly is wind? And why does it blow?
• This sounds really disgusting, but I'm curious: Can humans drink animal blood, or any other kind of blood?
• Why is space exploration important?
• How is photosynthesis essential to life on earth?
• What is the highest mountain in New Mexico?
• What's the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
• Who are the unbelievers" referred to in The Koran? What is it that they do not believe?"
• What is the difference between Sunnis and Shi'ites?
• What happens when you die?
• Why is it important to memorize where the 50 states are on a map?
• What kind of endangered species are there? Can you give me some examples, please?
• It's impossible to sneeze with your eyes open, so when you drive a car, is it against the law to sneeze?
• What are tectonic plates?
• I have boy trouble. I want to ask out my friend, but I am not sure he is going to say yes. Plus, he said he had a girlfriend when we talked during school. Plus, my parents don't want me to date.
• Why is the sky blue?
• Do you really shrink at the end of the day and then grow in the morning?
• What is the difference between matter" and "mass"?"
• What does "nature versus nurture" mean?
• What are closed contour lines?
• What is homeostasis ?
• What does the periodic table look like?
• Do you know anything about the law of conservation of energy? Is it really a law?
• I thought I knew what work means, but my physics teacher defines it differently. What's up with that?
• How do plants know when to drop their leaves?
• What's the surface of the moon like?
• How does the number of neutrons in the nucleus of an atom differentiate it from another atom?
• How do big rocks wear down over time?
• What does genetic recombination mean?
• How has DNA matching really made big difference in finding out who committed a crime?
• What's the difference between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems?
• What is incomplete dominance?
• Can hydrocarbons be considered compounds?
• Can you explain what molar mass is?
• Aren't fungi really plants?
• What information is contained in a chemical equation?
• What are the endocrine and exocrine systems?
• How do electrical charges interact?
• Are there more than three kingdoms of life? I can never remember.
• What are the characteristics of electrically charged objects?
• How does anomie theory explain deviant behavior?
• Why would anybody think there might be life on another planet?
• What are chemical solutions?
• Do you know of any way to simplify the overall subject of biochemical genetics?
• Can a loud noise really shatter glass?
• How do magnetic fields work?
• Did Clarence Darrow really call an animal in to testify at the famous monkey trial?
• What role does the thyroid gland play in the human body?
• What did Mendel discover about heredity when he was playing around with plants?
• How many laws of motion did Newton come up with, and what are they?
• What in the world is constructive and destructive interference?
• How do viruses do their dirty work?
• What do bones do, except give us a skeletal structure?
• Do all viruses look alike?
• My teacher keeps talking about solubility. What does that mean, anyway?
• How do positive and negative reinforcement work?
• How does nondisjunction relate to birth defects?
• With all the germs in the world today, how come everybody's not sick all the time?
• What is thermal equilibrium?
• How are sound waves created?
• What do taste buds look like — up-close?
• How often does an eclipse happen?
• What is the chemical composition of saltwater?
• I was told to write a 15-sentence answer to this question: When in life do you learn to expect the unexpected? I don't really know of an answer. Can you help me figure it out?
• My school is having a blood drive and I am considering donating blood. Can you tell me more about the whole process and if it is painful?
• Where can I download music for free? And if I do, is it illegal?
• How do I convince my parents to give me ten bucks?
• How should I deal with being a perfectionist?
• How do I convince my little brother and sisters to stay out of my room?
• Can you eat a rooster?
• How do I work out a problem with a teacher who loses the assignments I turn in and then accuses me of not doing the homework?
• Could a Tyrannosaurus rex kill King Kong?
• How would you describe a rainbow to a person who has been blind their ENTIRE life and doesn't understand colors?
• Will a tattoo inhibit hair growth?
• When did gays come about?
• I was wondering if the tilt on the earth's axis is important to animal life on earth. Could you explain?
• What are the four types of tissue found in the human body?
• Is there any easy" way to understand the Krebs Cycle?"
• Why are prostaglandins sometimes called tissue hormones?
• What is cell death? And what is the difference between apoptosis and necrosis?
• How do I find the molar mass of the elements on the periodic table?
• What do the symbols on the Periodic Table mean? For example, Gold-Au, Silver-Ag, Lead-Pb, Potassium-K, Tin-Sn, Iron-Fe, and Mercury-Hg, where did these symbols come from?
• How is your mind connected to your dreams? Does this have anything to do with psychology?
• What are the three main functions of the skeletal system?
• What are the characteristics of a moneran, protist, and fungus?
• Why does a placebo work? And who does it work for?
• What are two properties of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids?
• What is lymph? Is it part of the circulatory system in our bodies?
• Can there be life on Mars?
• How much of the ozone layer is left?
• Is it possible for a marine mammal to be infected with rabies?
• What exactly does the RNA do?
• What is the sperm travel process?
• What is a bacterial colony?
• Dealing with the myth of Cinderella, written by the Grimm brothers, how could you analyze it in terms of archetypes that Carl Jung used?
• What exactly is blood clotting and what are the processes involved?
• What is the difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission?
• Does a person have to have the same blood type as his or her brothers and sisters?
• My teacher said that eating poisonous mushrooms can make you sick or even kill you, but that they're not the only fungus that can. What is she talking about?
• What is the chemical equation for orange juice?
• What kind of structures are opposable toes?
• What is an oral groove?
• Dogs are spayed, but humans have hysterectomies. Isn't it all the same surgery?
• What does the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) do?
• What is the angle formed by a horizontal line and a line of sight to a point below?
• After I take the ASVAB, what is my obligation to the military?
• If I choose to take the computerized version of the GRE, will I be typing or writing my analytical and issue essays?
• Are there any MBA programs that don't require the GMAT?
• Can you use a calculator on the GMAT? What are you allowed to take in with you to the test?
• Should I keep taking the GMAT until I get a good score?
• How is the ASVAB scored?
• I canceled my GMAT score right after I took the test. Now I'm wondering if I did the right thing.
• What is the ASVAB AFQT?
• Where can I take the ASVAB?
• Is it better to guess on GMAT answers or would that count against me?
• How is my GMAT score used by grad schools?
• Is it true that the writing assessment sections of the GMAT are graded by a computer?
• What kinds of scores are reported on the GRE, and how long will it take for me to get my scores?
• What do I need to bring with me to the GRE testing center?
• How are GRE scores used?
• How do I learn stuff for in-class exams?
• How do I get ready for a math test?
• Can I take a calculator to my ACT exam?
• Do you have any tips for doing well on the AP Chemistry test?
• What can I expect in the math part of the SAT?
• How can I prepare for the SAT essay?
• What is the Critical Reasoning section of the SAT like?
• Is there a fun way to learn SAT vocabulary?
• What books should I read for the AP English Literature exam?
• How can I make sure I finish the AP essay question in time?
• Since I made the soccer team, I don't feel like I have enough time to study. Do you have any study tips so I can use my time better and make sure I don't get kicked off the team for my grades?
• I'm a huge procrastinator. How can I manage my time effectively to catch up on my assignments?
• What kind or amount of note-taking is optimal? I get lost while making a notation and miss other parts of the lecture.
• I study so hard for my tests that I know I know the material, but then I always panic and bomb. How can I reduce my test anxiety?
• I do really bad on quizzes. I'm okay with tests and homework, but I do horribly on quizzes. What can I do to prepare for quizzes?
• I've screwed up horribly this semester. I always say I'm going to change my habits, but I always end up getting lazy and doing something else. I want to succeed, but how can I get rid of my own laziness?
• If you have any music or audio notes playing on tape, CD, or whatever and you fall asleep, is it true that you'll have whatever was played memorized by the time you wake up?
• I have trouble understanding a book when I read. I try to read so that I can finish the book quickly but still understand what's going on. Could you give me a few tips on how to understand a book while reading at a quick pace?
• What is the best study method when trying to cram three chapters all at once?
• What if I have a really bad memory? When I read a page of a book, I can't go back and remember it.
• Why do some teachers say light a peppermint candle? I mean, I don't think it helps you concentrate.
• I really suck at taking multiple choice tests. Do you have any suggestions for not psyching myself out before a big test?
• Is there a WRONG way to study?
• Are the math questions on the GMAT extremely difficult and complex?
• Does it matter whether I take the SAT or ACT in my junior year or my senior year of high school?
• What does AP mean?
• How can I explain to my friend what I mean when I call him tedious ?
• Does the word privations has something to do with the government?
• What's the difference between goulash and galoshes?
• What exactly is a parallel structure?
• I have a bet on this: Learnt is a real word, right?
• Is a boor somebody who boos or somebody who bores?
• Somebody in my drama club used the word ostentation the other day. What does that mean, anyway?
• Define paraphrasing.
• What's another word that means the same thing as malevolence ?
• I find the same typo in a lot of books I read. Shouldn't connexion be connection ?
• What do you call a word that only ever appears as a plural?
• What s the difference between like and such as
• Can you show an easy way to remember when to use I" or "me" in a sentence? (And please skip the technical grammar rules.)"
• Should I say, “Can I have a banana?” or “May I have a banana?”
• Is the proper capitalization Atlantic ocean or Atlantic Ocean ?
• What does the word supercilious mean?
• Is grippe something that makes you sick?
• Does the word elucidation have something to do with drugs?
• How would you use fervid and fervent in a sentence?
• How can someone become a good writer?
• How do you cite CliffsNotes in APA, MLA, and CMS styles?
• What period in history does histrionics cover?
• People used to die from consumption. Does that mean they ate too much?
• Is it ever okay to start a sentence with the word but?
• What is the longest word in the English language?
• I'm learning English now, so I gave myself an English name — Vivi." However, an American told me that "Vivi" is not suitable for a name. There are some local reasons. So I want to know if "Vivi" really can't be used as a name."
• When writing a paper, what do I do to the title of a book? Do I underline it or italicize it?
• Please look at this sentence: Both Peter and John like soccer. Should it be: Both Peter and John likes soccer.
• What are the four genders of noun?
• What is it called when a word is the same both forward and backward?
• Do swans really sing when they die
• What does indignation mean?
• What is a pundit ?
• What is a cleft sentence
• What is the difference between narration and first person?
• Is it grammatically correct to say take some shots"?"
• My teacher thinks I plagiarized an essay; what should I tell him?
• Why do some authors use the word an before all words that start with an H? Is this form of writing correct?
• My school newspaper claimed that I am. is the shortest complete sentence in the English language. Isn't Go. a complete sentence?
• How did people make up the lb. abbreviation for pounds?
• Which is correct: "if I was" or "if I were"? And why?
• How would you use the word antecede in a sentence?
• Could you please explain the difference between affect and effect ?
• How do I write a good thesis statement?
• What do people mean when they talk about information in the public domain?
• What's the big deal about plagiarism, anyway?
• Is there a difference between envy and jealousy ?
• Can you define the words prostate and prostrate ?
• What does it mean to be threadbare ?
• Is there a difference between the words ignorant and stupid ?
• I used the word reoccur in a paper and my teacher said it should have been recur . Can you tell me the difference?
• What does it mean to be flabbergasted ?
• When should I write the word lose and when should I write loose ?
• What does ad infinitum mean? (From Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre )
• Do loath and loathe have different meanings?
• I got marked down on a paper for using the word irregardless . Why?
• What does it mean to be fastidious ? (From Dumas's The Count of Monte Cristo )
• Do stationary and stationery mean the same thing?
• How is the word among different than the word between ?
• What is a hierarchy ?
• What is the difference between tortuous and torturous ?
• Can you help me understand the difference between the words censor and censure ?
• I get farther and further confused. Can you help?
• I can t keep principal and principle clear Can you help
• My teacher lowered my grade on a paper because I described a scene as grizzly . I thought that was a word.
• Are the words gamut and gauntlet interchangeable?
• When do I write some time instead of sometime and sometimes ?
• Can you help me figure out when to use the word lay instead of lie ?
• Can you tell me when to use faze instead of phase ?
• What is the difference between avenge and revenge ?
• What is the difference between the words precede and proceed ?
• How do I fix a run-on sentence?
• How useful are automatic spell-checkers?
• Is it okay to begin a sentence with and ?
• When is it okay to use sentence fragments?
• What is future perfect tense?
• Is it okay to split infinitives?
• Why do people often confuse than and then in writing?
• When do I use commas with clauses?
• How do I decide which type of pronoun to use when I have multiple pronouns?
• What types of words or phrases should I avoid in my writing?
• What is parallel structure in writing?
• When should I use apostrophe-S?
• What is a clause?
• I have to write an essay, and I'm having a hard time getting started. Do you have any tips?
• How can I make the most out of my first draft?
• What should I avoid when writing the conclusion of a research paper?
• Are can and may interchangeable?
• What is passive voice?
• What does it mean to be quixotic ?
• What are linking verbs?
• What does it mean to use redundant adverbs?
• How do I organize a comparison essay?
• How do I decide between who and whom ?
• How do you use possessives in front of gerunds?
• Can I end a sentence with a preposition?
• What are participles?
• What's the difference between will and shall ?
• Which adjectives can't be modified with more and most ?
• What are indirect objects?
• Should I use his , his or her , or their ?
• What's the difference between farther and further ?
• What is a storyboard?
• What exactly is a theme of a story, and how can I recognize it?
• Why is English class called English in school? English is a language, so I don't think it should be a class. Please help me understand.
• What is tone exactly and how do you find it in stories?
• Where do you start when writing a character analysis?
• What is a dynamic character? What is a static character? How are they different?
• What's the difference between description and narration?
• I don't get onomatopoeias! It's as hard to spell as it is to understand!
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• What is the author's style" of a book?"
• What is a one-word sentence called?
• What word class would the word Novembery fit in to?
• My instructor wrote on my paper to be careful about using passive voice. What does that mean?
• Is it grammatically correct to say, She went missing"? What is the rule?"
• I need information on the social roles of language. How are individuals judged based on their use of language?
• What is the origin of the word promotion ?
• What's a preposition?
• What are some examples of homographic terms?
• I have to write an essay for my AP world history class and my teacher said to use direct comparison, but I'm confused on what he means by that. Please Help!
• I'm reading The Scarlet Letter in my Honors AP English class and my teacher wants us to do a 5 paragraph essay. What's the best way to start the introduction?
• What are some examples of transitions that I can use in my writing assignment?
• What does APA stand for?
• In typing a term paper, what is the proper spacing after a period? I think I've read that one space is now acceptable.
• What is meant by argue your own thesis?
• How do I write an introductory paragraph and a concluding paragraph?
• What are easy ways to identify figurative language?
• When writing a persuasive essay, what words can take place of being verbs," such as is, are, has, be, were, and was? My teacher crossed all of those out of my paper? What words should I use to replace those?"
• I have to write a dialogue that might take place between the speakers of The World Is Not a Pleasant Place to Be" and "Where Have You Gone." What exactly is a dialogue?"
• What is the literary device of writing exactly as a character speaks, even if words are misspelled and the grammar is non-standard?
• What are the types of tones/attitudes in writing?
• What are the first-person, second-person, and third-person points of view? Which is used for formal essays?
• What is a good sentence for the word plinth ?
• What are footnotes and endnotes? How do I start off a title page?
• Why can't you be rude or sarcastic in your thesis statement?
• How do you write a paper, when the topic is yourself? How do you research that kind of thing?
• What would a raging river be like?

This may sound funny, but the scope of your paper needs to be the right size. That is, your topic can't be too big or too small. Like in "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," the topic must be "just right." When you do your research, you can get a good idea of the scope of your topic by looking at what's available. If there's an overabundance of material, your topic is probably too big. For example, it would be hard to summarize the history of rock and roll in a three-page paper because the scope of the topic is so large. One the other hand, writing about the use of the sitar (an instrument) in rock and roll probably isn't big enough. Writing about Eastern musical influences on rock, though, might be just right.

Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students

Final Exams: Understand Comprehensive vs Cumulative

Updated: July 15, 2022

Published: April 21, 2020

As if taking a test wasn’t already stressful and confusing enough, you’re then faced with understanding the differences between all these complex terms and types of tests, such as comprehensive vs cumulative. Don’t worry, though! Here’s everything you need to know about both of these testing methods, and how to take them successfully, allowing you to finish graduate school with flying colors.

What Is A Comprehensive Exam?

A comprehensive exam is a test that is given to graduate students towards the end of their coursework, with the goal of determining how ready a student is for the next step of their academic career, that being their dissertation. Such an exam can be given in a variety of forms, such as oral or written.

What Is A Cumulative Exam?

Cumulative exams test students on everything that they’ve learned throughout the semester or year. The main focus of this type of test is to see that students have retained and understood information they have learned from their courses.

What Are The Main Differences?

Comprehensive vs. cumulative — what’s the difference? While these two exams may sound very similar, they are still two very different exams .

Comprehensive exams are focused on ensuring that a student is competent to begin their dissertation, and that they are familiar with the necessary research methods.

Cumulative exams, however, test our knowledge based on what was taught in class throughout the year, with more of a focus on academic performance.

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Who takes these tests.

It is usually only graduate students (either master’s or doctorate) that take comprehensive exams, since the basis of this test is to ensure they are ready for their dissertation.

Cumulative tests are generally taken by any student who has recently completed a course and needs to prove their knowledge by successfully passing the exam.

So when comparing comprehensive vs. cumulative exams, it’s not at all a competition as they are simply made for different types of students.

How To Succeed In Your Comprehensive Exams

If you’re a graduate student and are about to start preparing for your comprehensive exams, then you’ll surely appreciate these tips on how to succeed on these tests.

1. Get An Early Start

Starting early is the key to success, and especially so when it comes to comprehensive exams, since they require such a great deal of time invested.

2. Manage Your Time

Set yourself a schedule and a timeline that you’re going to commit to sticking to. Set a date that you’re going to start and set time blocks that you’re going to spend preparing. That way, you can avoid procrastination and stressing out at the last minute. You’ve already come so far, so making some sacrifices is surely worth it.

3. Reading Is Your Best Friend

Read, read, read, and read some more! Reading is your best friend when it comes to comprehensive exams, and you can really never have too much information about your topic of study or how research should be properly conducted.

4. Ask Others

Take advantage of those around you ! Whether it be fellow students that already prepared for the exam or professors in your field, ask around and see who is willing to give you some handy tips for your big test.

5. Get To Know Yourself

Every student is different and there is no perfect equation for success. That’s why it’s important that you get to know yourself, including your strengths and weaknesses. That way, you can know where you need to fill in the gaps and focus more time in.

6. Start With The Answers You Know

Start with what you know, show yourself how well prepared you are, give yourself that confidence booster, and don’t stress about the more complicated questions until they are the only questions left. Then you’ll have all the leftover time to really think through these tougher questions.

7. Make A Package

Prepare yourself a package with all of your notes, information, documents, and anything that might be relevant for your comprehensive exam. That way, if you’re asked a question, you can quickly find the answers you need and have more time to put together the words to best express yourself.

8. Review, Review

Practice really does make perfect. So the more you review your information, relevant theories, and concepts, the more confident and prepared you are bound to be for your comprehensive exam.

9. Roleplay

Pretend that you’re on the committee giving you the comprehensive exam. Think about what kinds of questions they would ask you based on what you’re presenting. Put yourself in their shoes, and it might help you prepare answers to questions you never thought about before.

10. Prepare Your Mind & Body

Our minds and bodies are connected. So you can do all the studying in the world, but if you haven’t taken care of your physical well-being, you might run the risk of hurting your success. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep despite the stress, that you’re drinking enough water, eating properly, and are doing things to help ease the anxiety such as yoga or meditation.

11. Polish Things Up

Even if you feel perfectly ready, be sure to polish things up before the big day. Go over everything, make sure all your notes and ideas are clear and that they make sense to you. Even use this list as a check list before you meet the committee.

How To Succeed In Your Cumulative Exams

The cumulative test meaning is a test that covers everything from the course. This generally means that there’s a lot of material to be retained, and that’s why you’ll need these nifty tips to ensure success.

1. Take Notes Early On

Don’t wait for the last minute or last class to start taking notes. That never ends well and often means you’ll miss out on important points. Start taking notes from the very first class, and that way you’ll have a summary of all the class information written in a way that you can understand. It also means that you can review these notes on a regular basis, and save yourself stress when exam time hits.

2. Turn Studying Into Routine

Make studying a part of your everyday life. Studying only a few days before your exam can cause burn out and isn’t known to be the most effective way to succeed. Even setting aside an hour or two every weekend can go a very long way.

3. Make The Most Of Second Chances

One of the best aspects of cumulative exams is that you’re given a second chance to retake the exam if your grade was unsatisfactory. Make the most of this opportunity by seeing where you had the most trouble, and invest your time in learning that material.

4. Mix Things Up

If you just sit in front of your computer studying all day, it’s likely to get boring and it will be hard to stay focused after a certain period of time. By diversifying your study methods, you can keep things interesting and can keep your motivation alive!

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Which exam type is preferred.

While you might be trying to decide between comprehensive vs. cumulative, truth be told, you can’t actually choose. This also means that there isn’t really a preferred type of exam. They are both rigorous exams that require a great deal of preparation, and as to which one is ‘easier’ is also completely individual, depending on a student’s personal knowledge, experience, and taste.

What Are Some Benefits Of Both Types Of Exams?

Both types of tests, whether comprehensive or cumulative, have their advantages for students.

Comprehensive

Comprehensive exams help ensure that students will be well prepared for the next step of their education, and that they will have knowledge of how to research that will be beneficial for their futures as well. The idea behind this type of testing is that students won’t be thrown into the water before they are ready, which for many can be a complete game-changer.

This test is also beneficial in that it focuses less on academic performance and more on the student’s overall qualifications.

Cumulative exams, while different than comprehensive exams, still make sure that students are prepared for the next step, but in a different way.

This type of exam tests whether or not students have grasped the information and fundamental concepts of the course before giving them a passing grade . Such a style of test encourages students to learn the material from top to bottom, and to study throughout the year.

What Are Other Kinds Of Testing Methods in College?

On top of cumulative and comprehensive exams, there are also many other types of examinations that are commonly given.

1. Multiple Choice

Multiple choice formatted tests are very common, giving students a choice of 4 to 5 answers, often with the answers sounding the same in order to ensure that the students truly understood the concepts.

2. Essay Style

Essay style tests give students the opportunity to show their knowledge through writing about a certain topic, and is often not a right or wrong kind of test. This is most commonly given for topics that are more conceptual, rather than concrete.

3. Open Book

In many cases, students are allowed to bring their textbook to the exam! Many students are mistaken and think that it means they don’t need to study, while it’s really just used as a way to refer back to the main concepts. These concepts still need to be understood in order to properly apply them.

4. Demonstration Tests

In a demonstration test, students are required to verbally share their knowledge either through a presentation or one on one. Sometimes, such a test can even be physical, such as a piano test.

5. Placement Tests

Placement tests are tests that are given for the sole purpose of knowing a student’s level in order to place them in the appropriate class. The grade here generally has no real weight.

Are Students Motivated by Cumulative Exams?

For the most part, students don’t appreciate cumulative exams.

But based on findings, students don’t always actually prefer what’s best for them. A research project that divided students into high and low scoring groups, found that students performed better in the cumulative exams, despite what they claimed to prefer.

It was concluded by the researchers that cumulative exams do in fact motivate lower-scoring students to perform better, while for higher-scoring students, they already have the necessary motivation.

Sometimes, however, a lack of motivation isn’t what prevents students from succeeding, but rather their circumstances, such as a lack of support or time to study due to family or work commitments.

That’s why the University of the People offers tuition-free online degrees to provide equal opportunities to all. So put comprehensive vs. cumulative aside, because when it comes to motivation, the University of The People is here to help you realize your full potential.

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comprehensive

[ kom-pri- hen -siv ]

a comprehensive study of world affairs.

Synonyms: full , extensive , wide , broad

• comprehending or thoroughly understanding with one's mind; having an extensive mental range or grasp, as of a particular subject or many subjects.
• Insurance. covering or providing broad protection against loss.
• none comprehensives. Also called comprehensive examination. Informal, none comps . an examination of extensive coverage given to measure a student's general progress, proficiency in their major field of study, or the like.
• the detailed layout of an advertisement, showing placement of photographs, illustrations, copy, etc., as for presentation to a client. Compare visual ( def 7 ) .

/ ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪv /

• of broad scope or content; including all or much
• (of a car insurance policy) providing protection against most risks, including third-party liability, fire, theft, and damage
• having the ability to understand
• of, relating to, or being a comprehensive school
• short for comprehensive school

Discover More

Derived forms.

• ˌcompreˈhensively , adverb
• ˌcompreˈhensiveness , noun

Other Words From

• compre·hensive·ly adverb
• compre·hensive·ness noun
• noncom·pre·hensive adjective
• noncom·pre·hensive·ly adverb
• noncom·pre·hensive·ness noun
• precom·pre·hensive adjective
• precom·pre·hensive·ly adverb
• precom·pre·hensive·ness noun
• quasi-compre·hensive adjective
• quasi-compre·hensive·ly adverb
• uncom·pre·hensive adjective
• uncom·pre·hensive·ly adverb
• uncom·pre·hensive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of comprehensive 1

Example Sentences

The Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks worked diligently with the public to develop a comprehensive deer management plan.

Additionally, without a comprehensive set of insights, it can be very hard for agencies to justify budget needs to their clients as well, and how to counteract the spends that other competitors are dedicating to certain segments.

For now, the closest thing we have to a comprehensive account of America’s botched response to the coronavirus is Lawrence Wright’s sweeping story in the New Yorker.

Facebook has a comprehensive list of OG tags that you can use across your site but I find that these are the ones that you will want to focus on.

It formulated a comprehensive enterprise SEO strategy by listing over 2000 keywords and by doing complete local optimization.

What qualifies as vast enough, as comprehensive enough, as representative enough to faithfully render a city and its people?

The evolution of style is oft studied but rarely understood in any comprehensive manner.

Therefore, reforming this trade is part of a comprehensive strategy, including regional governance reforms, to help end the war.

A comprehensive rehabilitation approach takes into account all these factors.

And Obama would have long since signed comprehensive immigration reform into law.

The key to all our human disorder is organized education, comprehensive and universal.

But consider what it will be when the system is adopted on a more comprehensive scale.

His mind is characterized by the literalness, rather than the comprehensive grasp of great subjects.

But give me a comprehensive idea of the place, in your own inimitable unvarnished diction.

Those who attach a high value to original and comprehensive thought will scarcely consider him entitled to such an epithet.

Related Words

• all-inclusive
• encyclopedic
• far-reaching