Using Exemplification in Using Exemplification in Your WritingYour Writing

For example…For example…

Prof. Steven Federle, Solano College English 1

Practice Writing Topic:

Are you an optimistic or pessimistic person?

•Answer this question, and support your answer with a few sentences that uses

examples to explain or clarify your answer.

Uses for ExemplificationUses for Exemplification Use Examples to Use Examples to Explain and ClarifyExplain and Clarify

Practice Writing Topic continued:

Are you an optimistic or pessimistic person?Add another example to what you’ve Add another example to what you’ve

written to written to add interestadd interest to your to your explanation.explanation.

Practice Writing Topic continued:

Are you an optimistic or pessimistic person?Add another example to Add another example to what you’ve written to what you’ve written to persuadepersuade the reader that he the reader that he or she should be optimistic or or she should be optimistic or pessimistic too.pessimistic too.

Planning an Exemplification EssayPlanning an Exemplification Essay

Provide enough examplesProvide enough examples Choose representative examplesChoose representative examples Use transitions (see list of transitions on Use transitions (see list of transitions on

page 43)page 43) Good transitions for exemplification Good transitions for exemplification

include:include: For example, for instance, in fact, namely, For example, for instance, in fact, namely,

specifically, that is, thusspecifically, that is, thus

Structuring an Exemplification Structuring an Exemplification EssayEssay

Your Introduction includes a thesis statementYour Introduction includes a thesis statement Each body paragraph mayEach body paragraph may

Develop a separate example, ORDevelop a separate example, OR Explore one aspect of a single, extended example.Explore one aspect of a single, extended example.

Arrange your examples chronologically, in order Arrange your examples chronologically, in order of increasing complexity, or in order of of increasing complexity, or in order of importance.importance.

Your conclusion reinforces the main idea and Your conclusion reinforces the main idea and may re-state the thesis.may re-state the thesis.

Revising and Editing an Revising and Editing an Exemplification EssayExemplification Essay

See Revising Checklist on pages 196-97See Revising Checklist on pages 196-97 See Editing Checklists on pages 66 & 198See Editing Checklists on pages 66 & 198

In Class Writing ExerciseIn Class Writing Exercise

Look at the Look at the Four Tattoos Four Tattoos (Photos) on (Photos) on page 205 of page 205 of Patterns for Patterns for College College Writing.Writing.

How would you describe each of the four tattoos pictured? Brainstorm with the class on the prominent features of each, and then write a sentence or two that describes each of them.

Write a one sentence general statement Write a one sentence general statement that sums up your ideas about tattoos.that sums up your ideas about tattoos.

Why do you think people get tattoos?Why do you think people get tattoos? Do you see tattoos as a way for people Do you see tattoos as a way for people

to express themselves?to express themselves? Do people use tattoos to express Do people use tattoos to express

individuality?individuality? Are tattoos are a form of rebellion?Are tattoos are a form of rebellion?

Do you have enough Do you have enough examples to support your examples to support your general statement about general statement about tattoos?tattoos?

Would you ever get a Would you ever get a tattoo?tattoo?

Now write a paragraph in Now write a paragraph in your writing journal in your writing journal in response to this question. response to this question. Use your answers to the Use your answers to the questions above to questions above to support your topic support your topic sentence (If you have a sentence (If you have a tattoo, explain why you tattoo, explain why you decided to get it.)decided to get it.)