Definitions

Defining topics can be troublesome, especially when it comes to controversial issues. Before any judgments can be made about a certain subject, criteria must be established. There are many different ways to establish these; for example, one could formally define a topic by using the dictionary definition, or one could use the operational definition where what the topic does or the conditions that created it are the established criteria. Another way would be to define a topic by using examples or individual case studies to show what it is. All of the aforementioned practices are legitimate ways to establish criteria to define a topic, and all can be employed to define the following controversial topics.

SERIOUS LITERATURE: literature that covers a serious topic, is addressed to adults, and embraces a universal theme such as the interconnectedness between all people.

HATE CRIME: a crime which is committed with evil intent, meant to harm another person based on personal beliefs that center on bigotry and prejudice.

ROYAL FAMILY: a family that contains strong and charismatic leaders, much like the Kennedys.

JOURNALISTS: a person who gets first hand information and relays that information to the public.

BIG BUSINESS: a business venture in which lucrative amounts of money can be made.

CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE: disobedience in which a law is broken, but it is broken with the intent to change an unjust law.

RELIGION: a set of organized rules on how to live, with a large focus on the afterlife.

FREE SPEECH: speech that is protected in the Bill of Rights and includes anything short of defamation, including hate speech.

STATE: a piece of land that is part of a larger government.

MARRIAGE: a legal contract between two people combining their individual assets into one.