The Illustrative Essay:Exposing the Examples

Catherine WishartLiteracy Coach

Adjunct InstructorBurlington County College

Copyright 2007 by Catherine M. Wishart. All rights reserved

What is an Illustrative Essay?

Often used to clarify a concept or a situation

Often used to prove a quotations that teaches a lesson

Uses stories or examples to back up the supposition made

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 can’t think of an observation; however, use hypothetical examples only sparingly

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 short story that can be told in one paragraph

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 dash across the African grasslands together, there is protection and strength in this action. However, if one impala separates from the herd, it is vulnerable. Likewise, hyenas often travel together and attack their prey in a pack. By attacking in unity, the hyenas are able to overpower larger animals, even solitary lions. Furthermore, while piranha will jointly attack any thirsty cow that enters the murky river waters, the piranha are actually quite docile fish when they are isolated.

Let’s 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 cow – can you see the murky water?

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 not acted in unity, my son could have drowned. On a hot day in August, my mother, daughter, son and I all decided to go to the river to cool off. We lazed about on the rocks and enjoyed the refreshing water as it splashed on by. Suddenly, my son, Matt, slipped off the rock and became caught in the unseen current. He was pulled down and was unable to grasp anything to help himself. My mother, daughter, and I made a human chain and reached out to Matt. With all our strength, we pulled him in to safety. Without this united effort, Matt would have been in even more danger.

A Basic Outline for an Illustrative Essay - First Paragraph:I. The Introduction

A. Hook – oftentimes a quotation is used as the hook in an illustrative essay. This hook utilizes the quotation as the point that needs to be proven true. It may also use a personal observation as the point to be proven.

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

C. The Thesis Statement – this thesis statement should give a direction and preview the main points.

Basic Outline for an Illustrative Essay – 2nd, 3rd, and 4th ParagraphsII. Paragraph 2 proves the first division in the thesis

statementA. One long specific example (the reader should be able to see the scene and watch the action) – or – B. Several short, interrelated, specific examples (general statements prove nothing)

III. Paragraph 3 proves the second division of the thesis statement A. One long specific example – or – B. Several short, interrelated, specific examples

IV. Paragraph 4 proves the third division of the thesis statementA. One long specific example – or – B. Several short, interrelated, specific examples

Basic Outline for an Illustrative Essay – the Conclusion

I. Reflect on the hook

II. Comment on the future

III. Ask rhetorical question

IV. Restate the thesis statement in a creative way

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 these examples

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

Help In Writing Essays

These sites will help you with different parts of any essay:

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 don’t work, copy the link and paste it into the address.