Assignment: 

 Definition of Abstract Term (3-5 minutes)

Abstract terms have no physical referent and general terms refer to a category of things, lacking specificity.  Terms (labels,
common nouns) that are both abstract and categorical may evoke unintended meaning or many meanings.  The goal:  using shared
meanings.  The fallacy:  users of abstract terms erroneously think they are using a common meaning.  So we define to convey our exact,
intended meaning. 

 Students employ an abstract term , justice, love, patriotism, intelligence, beauty, love, etc..  The objective:  to define the
term that listeners/audience members understand the exact intended meaning, that ambiguity is removed. 

 Note that abstract terms can be specified by their indicators, their manifest, observable signs.  These indicators (indicants) may be visible
and measurable.  Other concepts can be defined operationally, e.g., intelligence as I.Q. 

 The presentations must contain introductions and conclusions.  Each main point represents a distinguishing characteristic and must be
supported by at least one, preferable two, types of definition.  Stress manifest indicators (examples/described behavior), e.g., one distinguishing
characteristic of courage is awareness of danger-to-self before a brave act is performed.  Commensurate risk must be involved.  Students
describe such a situation.

 Definition by classification-and differentiation is required (see functional outline below).  Sources must be cited.  Topical analysis is
being used:  defining as a general whole and breaking down into distinguishing parts or attributes.  Each part becomes a major topic to be
clarified by appropriate types of more specific, concrete definitions.  The topical pattern moves from the abstract/general to the specific/concrete meanings.

FUNCTIONAL OUTLINE:
DEFINITION*

*Please note that this is an example for a functional outline. 
Your speech may vary from this format, as one size does not fit all. 
This example is provided to help you better understand how a definition speech might be organized. 

                I. Introduction

                    A. Opening (Use one or a combination of the attention-getters we discussed in class.)
                    B. Orientation
                         1. subject/purpose (What is your specific purpose?)
                         2. relevance (You might want to tell the listener why your topic is important.)
                         3. ambiguity (Many words have multiple meanings/definitions, so you would want to address that issue.)
                    C. Central Idea
                         1. categorical definition (This might be the definition with which mos people are familiar.)
                         2. distinguishing characteristics (What are some of the differences that you may explore in the body?)
                    D. Preview

               II. Body

                    A. Main point (distinguishing characteristics
                         1. supporting materials such as visual aids
                         2. supporting materials such as descriptive fact
                         3. supporting materials such as comparison/contrast
                    B. Main point
                         1. supporting materials such as etymology -- where a word originated and how it evolved
                         2. supporting materials such as example
                         3. e.g., supporting materials such as negation plus contrast -- tell what something is by telling what it isn't.) 
                    C.  Etc.  (And you might have anywhere from three to five points.  Each point will have its own supporting materials.)

              III. Conclusion

                    A.  Restatement of central idea
                    B.  Closing