1. Why is it important to a writer?
Exemplification
Why is it important to a writer?

2. Exemplification uses examples to illustrate or explain a general point or an abstract concept ( ).
It is used in almost every kind of writing situation…
To explain
To clarify
To add interest
To persuade
To test a thesis

3. At your Table Group…
How many valid examples could you come up with to support the following statement?
Nebraska can be a fun place to vacation.
You have two minutes to come up with as many examples as possible to support this thesis.

4. There are no “set” rules!
Number of Examples?
Writer needs to decide what would be appropriate considering his or her PURPOSE and AUDIENCE.
Range of Examples
Writer needs to adequately represent examples across an appropriate period of time, type of space, or cross section of people.

5. Other Considerations Using a comma in a series…
Transition Words – page 43 (especially sequence and example transitions)
Using a comma in a series…
ALWAYS use commas to separate three or more items – words, phrases, clauses – in a series.
I was happy, sad, and surprised all at once.
She needed to buy a new pair of shoes, a new dress, and a new purse for the dance.
NOTE: Newspapers and magazines leave out the comma before the coordinating conjunction (the “and”); HOWEVER, you should always include this comma in your college writing.

6. Page 205 in textbook…
There are four examples of tattoos on this page. As a group, see if you can come up with a thesis statement where a writer could use all four of these examples in his or her writing. What would they say to explain each tattoo?

7. 4 minute Focused Write
If I could not read – not even one word – there would be many things in my day-to-day life I would not be able to do or enjoy. For one example…
For another example…
Yet another example…
Finally, the most disturbing example…

8. Page Assignment
Read Jonathan Kozol’s “The Human Cost of an Illiterate Society”
Fill out the graphic organizer with specific examples…
page number/ paragraph number
Quote the example
Write your thoughts connected to the example
Does it surprise you?
Do you think it still is true today? Why or why not?
What else does this make you think of?
Is there something else you would add?
Etc.