Illustrative Essay

7/30/2019 Illustrative Essay

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The Illustrative Essay:

Exposing the Examples

Catherine WishartLiteracy Coach

Adjunct Instructor

Burlington County College

Copyright 2007 by Catherine M. Wishart. All rights reserved


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What is an Illustrative Essay?

Often used to clarify a concept or a

situation

Often used to prove a quotation thatteaches a lesson

Uses stories or examples to back up the

supposition made


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What Kinds of Examples Should

Be Used? The examples need to be very specific

The more specific the examples, the more

interesting the writing will be

Hypothetical examples are acceptable if

you cant think of an observation; however,

use hypothetical examples only sparingly


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Types of Examples

Short examples if short one or two

sentence examples are used, you will

need two or three examples for each pointShort examples need to be interrelated

Longer examples if a longer example is

used, the example is normally a shortstory that can be told in one paragraph


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What Does an Interrelated Short

Example Paragraph Look Like?Aesop wrote, In unity there is strength. Indeed, this

holds true in nature. For example, when impalas dashacross the African grasslands together, there is

protection and strength in this action. However, if oneimpala separates from the herd, it is vulnerable.Likewise, hyenas often travel together and attack theirprey in a pack. By attacking in unity, the hyenas are ableto overpower larger animals, even solitary lions.

Furthermore, while piranha will jointly attack any thirstycow that enters the murky river waters, the piranha areactually quite docile fish when they are isolated.


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Lets Look At This Paragraph

Example 1: Impalas dash across the

African grassland can you see the

impalas, the flat, short grassland? Example 2: The hyena attack a solitary

lion can you envision the scene?

Example 3: The piranha attack the cowcan you see the murky water?


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What Does a Longer Example

Look Like?Aesop wrote, In unity there is strength. Indeed, in

families this holds true. For example, in my own family,there was once a swimming accident. If we had notacted in unity, my son could have drowned. On a hot dayin August, my mother, daughter, son and I all decided togo to the river to cool off. We lazed about on the rocksand enjoyed the refreshing water as it splashed on by.Suddenly, my son, Matt, slipped off the rock and becamecaught in the unseen current. He was pulled down and

was unable to grasp anything to help himself. Mymother, daughter, and I made a human chain andreached out to Matt. With all our strength, we pulled himin to safety. Without this united effort, Matt would havebeen in even more danger.


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A Basic Outline for an Illustrative

Essay - First Paragraph:I. The Introduction

A. Hook oftentimes a quotation is used as the hookin an illustrative essay. This hook utilizes the

quotation as the point that needs to be proventrue. It may also use a personal observation as thepoint to be proven.

B. Transition How will you get from the hook to thethesis statement?

C. The Thesis Statement this thesis statementshould give a direction and preview the mainpoints.


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Basic Outline for an Illustrative

Essay 2nd,

3rd

, and 4th

ParagraphsII. Paragraph 2 proves the first division in the thesisstatement

A. One long specific example (the reader should be ableto see the scene and watch the action) or

B. Several short, interrelated, specific examples (generalstatements prove nothing)

III. Paragraph 3 proves the second division of the thesisstatement

A. One long specific example or

B. Several short, interrelated, specific examples

IV. Paragraph 4 proves the third division of the thesisstatement

A. One long specific example or

B. Several short, interrelated, specific examples


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Basic Outline for an Illustrative

Essay the ConclusionI. Reflect on the hook

II. Comment on the future

III. Ask rhetorical question

IV. Restate the thesis statement in a

creative way


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What if You Want to Write a 5

Page Illustrative Essay? Write a thesis statement that states the direction do not

preview the main points

Use several longer examples instead of shorter,

interrelated examples Use one longer example per paragraph, or you may take

two or three paragraphs to tell the story of the example

A longer paper like this may require some research to

add more examples use reliable sources for theseexamples

Remember a 5 paragraph essay is only one way towrite you will be expected to write longer or evenshorter pieces than the 5 paragraph essay


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Help In Writing Essays

These sites will help you with different parts of anyessay:

The Nature of an Essay: Unity and Essay Form:

http://www.accd.edu/sac/english/lirvin/wguides/EsForm.htm

Writing Guide on Essay Organization:http://www.accd.edu/sac/english/lirvin/wguides/Organization.htm

Note: if the link to these sites dont work, copy the link and paste it into the address.
http://www.accd.edu/sac/english/lirvin/wguides/EsForm.htmhttp://www.accd.edu/sac/english/lirvin/wguides/EsForm.htmhttp://www.accd.edu/sac/english/lirvin/wguides/Organization.htmhttp://www.accd.edu/sac/english/lirvin/wguides/Organization.htmhttp://www.accd.edu/sac/english/lirvin/wguides/Organization.htmhttp://www.accd.edu/sac/english/lirvin/wguides/Organization.htmhttp://www.accd.edu/sac/english/lirvin/wguides/EsForm.htmhttp://www.accd.edu/sac/english/lirvin/wguides/EsForm.htm

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Illustrative Essay