Define “intellectual property” and relate your discussion to copyrights laws in Canada. What is considered intellectual property?
How would you distinguish ‘stealing’ from a legitimate sharing of ideas/stories/characters etc.?
(1) Introduction
• Start by defining the term.
• Provide an essential definition of the term – refer to a dictionary, a legislative document, an expert’s definition etc.
• Also, use an illustration, comparison, negation, or a short narration to better define the term.
• Then explain why the definition might be problematic.
• Is there an agreed-upon meaning of the definition?
• Use Lewis’s typology of definitions: arbitrary, subjective, definitions with purpose, and problematic definitions.
• How does the definition fit into Kent’s typology?
• Who defined the term?
• From what point of view?
• Is the definition biased?
• Is it descriptive or prescriptive?
• What purpose is served?
• What power backs up the definition (Lewis 75-76).

• (2) Body
• Analyze the definition by using Lewis’s three criteria: content, purpose and effect.
• Just as Lewis analyzed the terms pornography and the First-Nations identity, you should also provide a detailed analysis of the term you chose by applying the criteria of content, purpose and intent (each criterion should be discussed in a separate body paragraph).
• Demonstrate the effectiveness of the definition if only the criterion of content is used.
• What happens when you include the intent and the effect criteria?
• How do the definition process and the authority behind it affect the social context?
• Can the definition be used as a tool of manipulation and how?
• For example, explain what happens when the term “confidential information” is defined by the criterion of content.
• How do the intent and effect criteria contribute to the clarification of the term?
• Explicitly refer to Lewis’s concepts and statements. However, you should not simply quote or paraphrase the author, but should apply the author’s method when analyzing the definition process.

• (3) Conclusion
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the three criteria in defining the term.
• Have the boundaries been established?
• Does the definition reflect a prejudice?
• Has the cultural norm has been used as reference?
• Are any parts of the definition questionable?
• Summarize the social implications of the definition process.