Definition Essay: “The Beauty Question” – A Full Guide

What is beauty? How can we be sure that something or someone is beautiful and something is not? Modern society is overflowing with constant talks about what is beautiful, but how objective is it in its statements? The topic of beauty has been explored, analyzed, researched, and debated for centuries. We all know a famous English saying, “Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.” This statement is accurate in the sense that what one individual considers beautiful is not necessarily beautiful for someone else. This definition of beauty not being universal was presented by Plato. According to his views, beauty is something that cannot be fully defined through the senses. That is because different people observe different objects in different ways. For that reason, some people believe that beauty is something that is defined according to the experiences that one has had.

Even though everyone knows what beauty is, many people struggle to define it and convince others to concur with their views. The idea of beauty is not just the physical appearance of a person or object. Rather, it is an understanding that gives some perceptual experience to one’s eyes, ears, intellect, and moral sense. Natural, powerful, real beauty, however, originates from within the heart of individuals. And when it blossoms, it is expressed as a captivating, exquisite, and alluring spirit that is not easy to contain. That is where certain ideas like “Beauty is as beauty does” or “Beauty comes from within” originate. Some people are captivated by the inner strength of character. As a result, they may perceive someone to have a beautiful soul.

However, individuals often appreciate beauty while they are in an aesthetic state of mind where one simply appreciates what one sees or feels. For instance, a beautiful and confident woman is the one that many men consider a force that is to be reckoned with. Her beauty and confidence would most likely charm the majority of men. As a result, they might find it difficult to do anything displeasing to that female.

Appreciation of beauty is often transmitted through the use of senses. What is more, beauty is usually appreciated by people because of the pleasure they derive from an object, an individual, or even a thought. The opposite can also be argued in the sense that some people perceive life as something that is meant to achieve beauty.

Beauty has indeed been an interesting philosophical issue considered from different perspectives, one of which is that it is taken as a value that is dear to human beings. Many films have illustrated this aspect of beauty. Besides, those things or people that everyone finds exceptionally beautiful tend to be appreciated more by society.

As the title of this essay suggests, we have to define beauty not only from our own perspective but also from the perspective of other people. It is through defining the beauty that one may come across the universality of beauty or the lack of universality. Knowing that some philosophers like Plato were known to tackle the issue of beauty, it is, therefore, wise to examine the issue of beauty from the views of Plato and to compare those views with the ones that are commonly known or observed in an individual’s day-to-day life.

Unfortunately, society nowadays has turned to the appreciation of beauty to the visual sense only; however, we just forget the fact that the inner world of a human being can also add to one’s real beauty. People tend to judge others just by the looks. For example, a guy with big muscles and a thick beard will be definitely considered rude and fiery. At the same time, a guy with a baby face, white skin, and nice t-shirt will be seen as a trustworthy and good boy just because of the way he looks. It is difficult to fully define what beauty is, but the fact remains the society should be less stuck on physical attractiveness.

Tips on Writing a Definition Essay

In a definition essay, the writer is required to explain the meaning of a certain issue/term/event by providing a detailed description of one, as well as support your definition with accurate facts and examples. These explanations help to sort things out when it comes to disputed, special, or abstract terms, or the issues that don’t have a standard and well-known meaning.

Here are a few recommendations to keep in mind when writing a definition essay:

1. Pick a term that you’d like to define and let your readers know what it is. Make sure it is disputable and complex. Don’t define the terms you’re unfamiliar with. For example, if you’ve never heard the term “indefatigable,” your understanding of it will appear limited. Without any prior understanding of the term, you won’t know if your definition actually works for it.
2. Check the definition given in a dictionary. You’re not going to use it in your essay, but you have to familiarize yourself with what the official sources say. Then you’ll compare it with the way you understand the term. For instance, one definition of “love” by Merriam-Webster is “strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties.” Your own understanding of the concept might include more information of a different nature.
3. Write an outline. A standard five-paragraph definition essay will comprise the intro, the body (three paragraphs, as a rule), and the conclusion.
4. Present the issue/term/word in the intro of your essay. Begin your opening part with the “hook” to make your target readers curious about what is going to happen next. Plus, give background details to help them better understand the idea or concept.
5. In the body, give information about the issue/term. Together with your description of it, provide historical info about the term’s origin/evolution, as well as the most common cases in which it is typically used.
6. Restate the main points of the essay in the conclusion. Be careful, and don’t repeat every single word you said in the body paragraphs. Just “echo” your key points by summarizing everything included in the middle part.
7. Inform your readers on the part that the term you define plays in your life and share your personal experiences with it. Your final marks should be memorable and contain CTA, if possible.
8. Don’t try to sound like a know-it-all and write a definition essay on a concept that is too narrow. Likewise, don’t pick an obvious or well-known term because your readers will most likely lose their interest after a couple of sentences. If you struggle with finding something in-between, look for help from an essay writing service with professional writers.
9. Invent the definition that would be yours completely. This is where you can turn your creativity mode on and provide the most non-typical explanations!
10. Re-read your definition essay in order to detect the slightest mistakes. Besides, at this phase, you will still have time to change your approach to the concept, your title, or anything else that might potentially lower your grade.

Finally, make sure to start early.

Given enough time, you will be able to think in different and unique ways over the chosen term, and then start the research process being forearmed with ideas and intentions.