Understanding an Exemplification (Illustration) Essay A paper that uses examples!

What is Illustration? Or Exemplification? Illustration is writing that uses examples to show, explain, or prove a point! It is one of the hallmark strategies of academic debate. Often, its topic or stance is controversial and examples –rather than definition –must be used.

The Four Basics of Good Exemplification (Illustration) A good Exemplification/Illustration paper has four basic points: 1.) It must have a point. Why are you writing this paper? 2.) It gives specific examples to show, explain, or prove the point. 3.)It gives DETAILED support of the examples. 4.) It uses ENOUGH EXAMPLES to make the point!

The Main Point The most important feature of this paper is the main point. What is your point for writing. For example, here’s a very strong point: “Functional illiteracy costs American society billions of dollars every year.” Okay, that’s a good point, but there are two questions here.

Proving the Main Point There are two questions about the point on the previous slide: 1.) What is functional illiteracy? 2.) How does functional illiteracy cost America money? Answering either one of these questions would make an excellent paper!

Provide Enough Examples Okay, “functional illiteracy” is very hard to define. Most websites, journal articles, and educational experts can only give us examples. 1). Functional illiteracy may be applied to those adults who cannot read on at least a fourth grade level. 2). Functional illiteracy may occur in any language, not just English. 3). Being able to read words on a page is different from being able to use those skills to function in society.

Examples for the Paper Okay, those are some great examples. But what if we were to talk about costs? How do functionally illiterate people cost society? 1.) Functionally illiterate people depend on social programs because they cannot read well enough to keep gainful employment. 2.) Many functionally illiterate people turn to crime and are in jail at early ages. 3.) Most functionally illiterate people do not understand health care terms, which are on a 10th grade level or higher.

Organizing This Paper Of course this paper needs an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. It is important to plan this paper for organization of examples. You may organize examples from the least important to the greatest. This saves the most convincing example until last. Use transitional phrases to move the reader along.

Conclusion Remind readers of the main point and make an observation based on it.

How This Paper Looks Introduction I. First Paragraph with Supporting Evidence II. Second Paragraph with Supporting Evidence III. Third Paragraph with Supporting Evidence. This is often your most powerful example. Conclusion

Transitional Phrases Also, another, finally, for example For instance, for one thing In addition, one example, another example