Arguments of Definition

I thought this article brought up some very interesting points, although some parts were a little dull for me. For example I didn't really like how the author had six examples in a row as the intro to the chapter. This seemed a little bit redundant to me, especially since this is how the other chapter started out. It didn't really work for me the first time, so I thought that was one area the chapter could have changed.

What I did like about the writing was the points that were brought up. For example, I really liked what the author said about the first great English dictionary. I never thought about how "dictionaries reflect the prejudices of their makers". Before reading this I assumed that dictionaries gave unbiased, logical and scientific definitions. But I was proved wrong. If you didn't read the chapter, or don't remember this particular part, the dictionary writer, Samuel Johnson, described oats in a close minded, prejudiced manner. "Johnson defined oats as "a grain which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people." This really helped me see that actual people write dictionaries and definitions. They aren't always correct.

It takes a number of people and point of views to make a definition whole and accurate. I liked the example that was given about the wetland, and how there were a number of definitions for it. "The definitions, taken together, do help distinguish the conditions that are essential and sufficient for determining wetlands." I like how this was described, and it makes sense that "Essential conditions are those elements that must be part of a definition but that--in themselves--aren't enough to define the term."

The chapter was interesting, but at the same time a little boring. I liked parts of it, but not others. Repetition and too much structure is what bored me. It was the viewpoint of the author, and the ideas that caught my attention. In writing, what stands out most are the ideas that the author puts forth. That's why I believe this piece of writing has value and purpose to it.