In the definition essay, there are a number of different ways in which we can use biblical passages to illustrate and illuminate our definitions. The following will outline the different methods of definition with examples using the topic of biblical justice. These methods can be used to guide entire paragraphs or as useful ways to discuss the evidence used. 1. Historical Origin: Exploring a word in regards to its history, and how its meaning might have changed through the years, may help to illustrate your definition. Ways I can use this in my essay: • In this essay, please compare or contrast Old Testament Evidence with New Testament Evidence. Does the concept appear to change from Old to New? Or did it stay the same? Both are meaningful in their own way. • Don’t forget to use the assertion key word historical origin for this paragraph. Make sure the evidence comes from the Old AND New Testaments 2. Contrast or Comparison: How the biblical definition is similar (comparison) or different (contrast) to other ways in which the word is defined. Ways I can use this in my essay: • Please use the key word accurately. Comparison means similar, contrast means different! • There are a number of different ways you can compare contrast. Some of the more common include: o Biblical vs Other Religion such as Buddhism or Islam, etc. (You must use evidence from the other religion, either from their religious text or an authority in the religion, to support the comparison or contrast) o Biblical vs Secular (You must at least use a dictionary definition as evidence of the secular to support the comparison or contrast) o Biblical vs Other Culture such as Canadian culture or Chinese culture, etc. (You must have credible or authoritative evidence from the other culture to support the comparison or contrast)

Definition Essay Assignment
(20% of Final Grade)
Grade Breakdown
PART 1 Definition Essay 10% Due July 23
PART 2 In-Session Writing Test 10% To be held July 21
PART 1: Definition Essay (10%) Due July 23
Choose ONE term from the list below. Write a 3-4 page essay (APA format) to define the term using the Bible
as the primary source of evidence. The essay should include an introduction, three (3) body paragraphs, and a
conclusion. A background paragraph is not needed.
You can use additional sources (make sure they are authoritative/credible) to help you understand the term.
Make sure to include citations for these sources if you use ideas from them in the discussion sections of your
body paragraphs.
A reference for the Bible is NOT necessary (i.e. if the Bible is your only source of evidence, no References page
needed).
However, additional resources are needed as evidence for comparison/contrast paragraphs (as well as a
references page, in that case). Make sure to use correct citations. This includes the use of Bible Dictionaries or
Encyclopedias, such as those found at www.biblegateway.com , or https://bible.org/
You can also try a Google search by entering your “term (below)” + “definition or meaning in the Bible”
For example, search:
justice definition or meaning in the Bible
or “justice in the Bible”
or “definition of biblical justice”
or “meaning of biblical justice”
Another option is to try searching with the “method of definition” + “term” + “in the Bible”
For example, search:
Examples of Justice in the Bible
or Function of Justice in the Bible
TERMS
(Choose only one term, and the choice must come from the list below. Essays about terms other than on the
list below without approval will not receive a grade):
• Idolatry
(Example Story: The Golden Calf Exodus Chapter 32)
• Mercy
(Example Story: The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, Matthew Chapter 18: 23-35)
• Repentance
(Example Story: Jonah and the city of Nineveh, Jonah Chapter 1:1-2 & Jonah Chapter 3 & 4)
• Resurrection
(Example Story The Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus, Luke Chapter 22-24)
• Sacrifice
(Example Story: Crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, John Chapter 19-20)
• Wickedness
(Example Story: The Story of Kind Ahab/Queen Jezebel & Naboth’s Vineyard, 1 Kings 21: 1-26)
PART 2: In-Session Writing Test (10%) July 21
The in-session writing will be a similar format to what was done for personal response writing. You will have
1.5 hours to write an integrated thesis and one body paragraph of integrated writing. The theory will be the
UDHR. The case will be provided for you at the time of the test.
Defining with Biblical Passages
Methods of Definition
In the definition essay, there are a number of different ways in which we can use biblical passages to illustrate
and illuminate our definitions. The following will outline the different methods of definition with examples
using the topic of biblical justice. These methods can be used to guide entire paragraphs or as useful ways to
discuss the evidence used.
1. Historical Origin:
Exploring a word in regards to its history, and how its meaning might have changed through the
years, may help to illustrate your definition.
Ways I can use this in my essay:
• In this essay, please compare or contrast Old Testament Evidence with New Testament Evidence.
Does the concept appear to change from Old to New? Or did it stay the same? Both are meaningful
in their own way.
• Don’t forget to use the assertion key word historical origin for this paragraph. Make sure the
evidence comes from the Old AND New Testaments
2. Contrast or Comparison:
How the biblical definition is similar (comparison) or different (contrast) to other ways in which the
word is defined.
Ways I can use this in my essay:
• Please use the key word accurately. Comparison means similar, contrast means different!
• There are a number of different ways you can compare contrast. Some of the more common include:
o Biblical vs Other Religion such as Buddhism or Islam, etc. (You must use evidence from the
other religion, either from their religious text or an authority in the religion, to support the
comparison or contrast)
o Biblical vs Secular (You must at least use a dictionary definition as evidence of the secular to
support the comparison or contrast)
o Biblical vs Other Culture such as Canadian culture or Chinese culture, etc. (You must have
credible or authoritative evidence from the other culture to support the comparison or
contrast)
3. Functions:
Explaining the purpose of the defined term.
4. Causes/Effects:
Explaining how the term begins an action/phenomenon/condition (cause) or the results of the term
(effect).
5. Characteristics or Qualities:
Demonstrating the different attributes or aspects that characterize the word defined (i.e. What
“humanizes” the concept).
6. Appearance:
Demonstrating what the word looks like using images, symbols, and examples.
Ways I can use this in my essay:
• The evidence for this paragraph should include clear mental “pictures” or visual imagery from the
Bible. The discussion should focus on how the images prove your differentiation
7. Analogy:
Drawing similarities between things that are otherwise dissimilar.
Ways I can use this in my essay:
• For this essay, please create your own analogy and then compare/contrast it (in the discussion
section of the body paragraph) to an analogy about your term that you discovered in your research
(Biblical Evidence).
8. Connotation:
Demonstrating the association of secondary meanings to the word being defined.
Ways I can use this in my essay:
• Connotation refers to co-related ideas that are associated with the word that are not the
differentiation. For instance, the term “justice” often connotes police, crime, jail, anger, judges, the
court system, revenge, forgiveness, etc. None of those terms explains what justice is, but they are
common thoughts/ideas that come up when one thinks of the term.
9. Process:
Demonstrating how the word might work with detailed explanation and examples.
Ways I can use this in my essay:
• For this essay, the discussion and evidence should include clear “steps” (i.e. use the transition words
“First, Second, Third”). It is important to follow the paragraph pattern in this situation, so you must
choose your main evidence carefully.
10. Examples:
Sharing a few of the more significant people/stories that help explain the term.
Ways I can use this in my essay:
• In this essay, using an example could be done in two ways. First, using one example from the Bible,
provide two pieces of evidence that demonstrate the differentiation. Alternatively, you could use two
examples from the Bible that have a close relationship to the differentiation. In this case, only quote
the most meaningful line from the story, introduced with concise context to support your
differentiation.
• Because your paragraph cannot exceed one page in writing, DO NOT retell the story in the
paragraph. Instead, give only sufficient context from the story, including a quotation, to support
your differentiation. It is much more important to DISCUSS how the example supports your
differentiation than to summarize what the story is about.
Methods of Definition
Method Definition
1 Historical Origin Exploringawordinregardstoitshistory,andhowitsmeaningmighthavechangedthroughtheyears,mayhelptoillustrateyour
definition.
In this essay, please compare or contrast Old Testament Evidence with New Testament Evidence
2 Comparison/ Contrast How the biblical definition is similar (comparison) or different (contrast) to other ways in which the word is defined.
3 Function Explaining the purpose of the defined term
4 Cause/Effect Explaining how the term begins an action/phenomenon/condition (cause) or the results of the term (effect).
5 Characteristics/qualiti
es
Demonstrating the different attributes or aspects that characterize the word defined.
6 Appearance Demonstrating what the word looks like using images, symbols, and examples
7 Analogy Drawing similarities between things that are otherwise dissimilar.
For this essay, please create your own analogy and then compare/contrast it (in the discussion section of the body paragraph)to an
analogy about your term that you discovered in your research (Biblical Evidence).
8 Connotation Demonstrating the association of secondary meanings or emotions to the word being defined
9 Process Demonstrating how the word might work with detailed explanation and examples.
Forthis essay, the discussion and evidence should include clear“steps”(i.e. use the transition words “First,Second, Third”). It is
important to follow the paragraph pattern in this situation, so you must choose your main evidence carefully.
10 *Examples
(always be the last one
paragraph)
Sharing a few of the more significant people/stories that help explain the term.
In this essay, using an example could be done in two ways. First, using one example from the Bible, provide two pieces of evidence
thatdemonstratethedifferentiation.Alternatively,youcouldusetwoexamplesfromtheBiblethathaveacloserelationshiptothe
differentiation.Inthiscase,onlyquotethemostmeaningful linefromthestory,introducedwithconcisecontexttosupportyour
differentiation.
Becauseyourparagraphcannotexceedonepageinwriting,DONOTretellthestoryintheparagraph. Instead,giveonlysufficient
context from the story, including a quotation, to support your differentiation. It is much more important to DISCUSS how the example
supports your differentiation than to summarize what the story is about.
Biblical Deceit Explains Wickedness
HOOK needed here. INTRODUCTORY sentence needed here. TOPIC sentence needed here. Biblical
deceit is an emotional condition that God’s heart wishes to change for human’s wickedness in many forms
through the following methods: comparison, characteristics and examples.
Both the biblical deceit and the secular social deceit by comparison express an expectation of changing
human’s wickedness. In other words, both definitions represent an aversion to deception. In the Book of Psalms,
the author King David states the form of deceit in the mouths of the wicked. “For people who are wicked and
deceitful have opened their mouths against me; they have spoken against me with lying tongues” (Psalm 109:2
NIV). This indicates that deceit is an unfriendly and hurtful behavior towards others, which builds their own
desire on others pain. People whose habits are deceptive have lost the ability to consider the feelings of others.
Thus, the Bible mentions Christians to change their wickedness by describing the evils of deceit. In comparison,
in the secular society, the dictionary has described “deceit as dishonest behavior that is meant to fool or trick
someone” (Deceit, n. d.). It is clear that deceit is the action of telling dishonest information and playing with
others’ trust in them. At the same time, using deceitful behavior to hurt others in order to meet their own
interests. The significance of people living in this society does not lie in such improper behavior, but in order to
develop their own talents and build a more harmonious and just society, avoid deceit is necessary. Therefore,
exhorting the world to avoid or change this deceit behavior of wickedness is the same as what God intended in
the Bible.
Biblical deceit reveals changing human’s wickedness in many forms through characteristics. More
specifically, deceit does not primarily represent untruthful behavior, it’s more of an expression of evil being
purposeful and attractive. In the book of Proverbs, the author Solomon states considering the advice of the
wicked carefully, “The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful” (Proverbs 12:5
NIV). This indicates that deceptive behavior is an evil habit, same as real behavior is belong to justice. On the
other hand, the followers of God lie is not just about hiding the truth, it is likely to hide a bigger plan. God’s
followers have more or fewer actions of deceit, and the reason for deceit is to achieve a certain purpose. For
example, Nazis in order to destroy the Jews, they lied that some of the Christian children were killed by Jews.
Thus, God wants to mention the followers should beware of suggestion from the wicked. Moreover, in the book
of Hebrews the author, who is unknown, writes do not be attracted by deception, “But encourage one another
daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews
3:13 NIV). With is in mind, God hopes Christians to help each other, surrounded by justice to prevent being
attracted by deceit and becomes to the evil side. The reason why deceit is hard to see is because it is very
charming, and the biggest attraction is that it can easily achieve a certain purpose. At the same time, the
encouragement of others is the most influential. Therefore, purposeful and attractive are the most obvious
characteristics of biblical deceit in the way to change the wickedness of human.
In the way of changing human’s wickedness, the Biblical deceit demonstrates the ugliness of evil
through examples. In more detail, the greatest effect of deceit is the ability to hide one’s inner love and express
only evil. The Book of Genesis, whose author is disputed but traditionally believed to be Moses, writes about
Cain hiding the fact that he killed Abel, “Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t
know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”” (Genesis 4:9 NIV). Considering this, deceit would have been
with Cain for the rest of his life until he realized his sin. In fact, he had a chance to change his wickedness when
the Lord asked about Abel. However, deceit is selfish, in order to hide his own behavior, there is no expression
of remorse. The Book of Genesis states God wanted Cain to understand about his sin, ‘“If you do what is right,
will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have
you, but you must rule over it.”’ (Genesis 4:7 NIV). This highlights that when people become wicked, they will
automatically have more deceit behavior with greater sin. Moreover, the thoughts of the heart will become evil,
Cain believed that all people would treat him in the same way he did. Imagine this, if the world were full of evil
deceit and treated each other in the most negative way, the society would be darker. However, God believes that
love exists in the heart of Christians and he does not want it to be covered by deceit. Therefore, the desire and
sincere expectation of God is to develop this secular society and make it full of love, change the habit of deceit
is to discover the love not hidden by wickedness.
In conclusion, deceit is not only an act of hiding the truth, but it is also enough to change intrinsic values
and qualities in any person. Honesty is the most basic condition to build a relationship between people.
Therefore, it is significant to change the wickedness deceitful behaviors, only deliver more love and honesty
behaviors can make the secular society brighter.

Reference
Merriam-Webster. (2021). Deceit. In Merriam Webster Learner’s Dictionary. Retrieved March 22, 2021, from
http://learnersdictionary.com/definition/deceit
WRTG 101 Definition Essay Rubric
A. Formatting/Conventions: /3
1 Title page contains all necessary information in the correct place—header, title, student name, university name
2 Title is meaningful (indicates specific topic) and clear (essay type)
3 Running head: TITLE on title page in top left hand corner in the header
4 Header throughout with TITLE IN CAPITAL LETTERS (and no Running head: after title page)
5 Page numbers begin on title page (in the top, right corner)
6 Paper Size Setting (“Letter”, not “A4) & Margins are correct (2.54cm all around & “Align-text left”)
7 Title appears centred at the top of p.2 (the first writing page)
8 Font is Times New Roman 12 point & consistent (always black color, no bold/underline, italics only in the references)
9 Line spacing – double/2.0 (including references!) & no extra line spacing (especially between paragraphs)
10 Paragraphs are indented one tab space for the first line
11 Includes a References page (with correct title References, not Reference) if sources other than the Bible are used
B. Documentation: /2
1 Ideas that are borrowed/quoted (from your research and not your own thinking/idea) includes a citation (no plagiarism)
3 If used, in-text citations use the author, or if no author, the organization or title (in that order)
4 If used, in-text citations include the year, or if no year, the letters n.d.
5 In-text citations are correct in every other way (punctuation, capitalization, and correct placement)
6 If used, references are correct APA, include all necessary information, alphabetical order, and cross-referenced.
7 Essay includes accurate citation for the Bible including translation in the first reference (i.e.NRSV/NIV)
8 Citations for the Bible are done correctly according to the course pack, no reference for the Bible is included.
C. Development: /40
1 Introduction is an appropriate length and follows deductive pattern (hook+introductory sentence+topic sentence+thesis)
2 Introduction uses an appropriate hook.
3 Thesis statement contains appropriate topic, the category of RUAH and differentiation (academic concept)
4 A roadmap (indication of methods of definition) is included with or follows the thesis statement.
5 Body paragraphs use key words (Assertion/Connection), are focused on the thesis/assertion, and follow the pattern.
6 Body section moves from more general definition to more specific definition.
7 Transition words/phrases are used accurately/effectively throughout
8 Quotations are integrated (introducted with Book/Author/Context, quote, citation, transition, discussion).
9 Essay uses sufficient evidence to support each idea (two pieces of evidence for each body paragraph)
10 Conclusion is short and pulls together all the key words
D. Content: /45
1 Ideas offer insight into the topic, show depth of thought and concern for originality
2 Chosen differentiation demonstrates critical thinking.
3 Ideas grow and develop throughout the essay (not repetitive).
4 Ideas maintain focus on the differentiation (thesis key word) and method of definition (MOD, assertion key word)
5 Evidence was chosen carefully to support the differentiation and method of definition
6 Essay uses quotes and support from the Bible. The quotations add meaning and depth.
7 Discussion was sufficient and detailed.
8 If the essay uses additional research, it is meaningful and well integrated (required for comparison/contrast paragraphs)
9 Overall essay explores the definition in an academic way.
E. Grammar/Vocabulary: /15
1 Essay is basically fluent and free of error (0).
2 Essay has a few to several minor errors (4~5).
3 Essay has many minor errors, making it awkward and uncomfortable (6~10).
4 Essay has so many errors that the meaning is unclear in many parts. This essay is not acceptable (more than 10).