Patterns: Exemplification
When you write an exemplification essay, what do you often use to support a statement or to illustrate a point?
a series of examples
What does an exemplification essay usually begin with?
an introduction that includes the thesis statement
How do you arrange examples in order of increasing complexity?
beginning with the simplest and moving to the most difficult or complex
How do you arrange examples in order of importance?
beginning with those that are least significant and moving to those that are most significant or persuasive
How do you arrange examples chronologically?
beginning with those that occurred first and moving to those that occurred later
How can you support a thesis with a statistical study?
by collecting and interpreting numerical data representing a great many examples
How can you avoid this problem?
by developing your best examples fully in separate paragraphs and discarding the others or by grouping related examples together in one paragraph
How is the thesis statement supported?
by examples in the body of the essay
How can you test the effectiveness of your examples?
by putting yourself in your readers' place
How can you arrange examples within each paragraph?
chronologically, in order of increasing complexity, or in order of importance
What may each body paragraph do?
develop a separate example, present a point illustrated by several brief examples, or explore one aspect of a single extended example that is developed throughout the essay
What can a few well-chosen examples provide?
effective support for otherwise unconvincing general statements
When you use exemplification what should you look for?
examples that are interesting as well as pertinent
True or false: if you don't find your essays lively and interesting, chances are your readers will?
false; chances are they won't either
True or false: the general rule is three examples are enough to support your ideas?
false; there is no general rule
True or false: you should use a comma after the final element in a series of three or more items?
false; you should not use a comma
What are the most frequently used transitions in exemplification essays?
for example, for instance, in fact, namely, specifically, that is, and thus
In an exemplification essay, what will transitions do?
help you connect examples to your thesis statement (another) or link examples to topic sentences (for instance)
When should you not use commas in a series of three or more items?
if all the elements are separated by coordinating conjunctions (and, or, but)
What can make the difference between an engrossing essay and one that is a chore to read?
imaginative examples
What should the thesis statement of an exemplification essay do?
make a point that the rest of the essay will support with examples
Instead of only making a general statement about your subject, what should you do?
make it specific and anticipate readers' questions
What will your examples accomplish if they do not support your essay's main idea?
nothing
While examples can explain or add interest, what are they also effective at doing?
persuading people that what you are saying is reasonable and worth considering
What should you do if you decide you cannot cite a fair range of examples that support your thesis?
reexamine it
What should the conclusion do?
reinforce the essay's main idea, perhaps restating the thesis
What is just as important as choosing an appropriate number?
selecting a sufficient range of examples
What must you do when you use a series of three or more examples in a sentence?
separate them with commas
Sweeping generalizations and vague statements are not nearly as effective as what?
specific observations, anecdotes, details, and opinions
How can you be certain your audience knows exactly what you mean?
state your point precisely
Why should you keep your thesis statement in mind as you write?
taking care not to get so involved with one example that you digress from the main point
Without transitional words and phrases, what will readers have difficulty seeing?
the connection between an example and the general statement it is illustrating
What can help you develop your thesis?
the examples you gather during the invention stage of the writing process
Why do writers use well-chosen examples?
to add interest as well as to clarify their points
What is your goal when using exemplification?
to communicate ideas to your readers
How is exemplification used in every kind of writing situation?
to explain and clarify, to add interest, and to persuade
True or false: at times, variations of the basic essay pattern are advisable and even necessary?
true
True or false: for some thesis statements, even several examples would not be enough?
true
True or false: many of the most effective essays use exemplification extensively?
true
True or false: to be convincing you must not only choose examples effectively but also use them effectively?
true
If you don't find your essay lively and interesting, what should you do?
try to add more thought-provoking and spirited examples
When you reexamine your thesis, what should you do rather than switching to a new topic?
try to narrow your thesis
How can you ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity?
use examples
What does exemplification do?
uses one or more particular cases, or examples, to illustrate or explain a general point or an abstract concept
When do the most effective exchanges occur?
when participants support their points with specific examples
What can happen if you do not select your examples carefully and arrange them effectively?
your paper can become a thesis statement followed by a list or by ten or fifteen brief, choppy paragraphs
What is the only way your paper will be convincing?
your readers believe that your thesis is supported by your examples and that your examples fairly represent the scope of your topic
What does the number of examples you use depend on?
your thesis statement
What does the thesis statement usually identify?
your topic as well as the main point you want to make about it