Illustration Essay A dream could be the first step of a fruitful journey. What Is an Illustration Essay? An illustration essay provides an explanation of a general principle or idea by using a number of wellchosen examples. Illustration is one of the most frequently used methods in writing, especially when the writer wants to impart new or unfamiliar information. How to Write an Illustration Essay An illustration essay involves the following development: • Choose a general idea to illustrate: Example: Happy are those who are content. Teaching is a demanding profession. Smiling is the communication of the soul. Examples • Use specific and appropriate examples to illustrate the ideas. • Employ senses of sight, sound, smell, touch, or taste to enhance the vividness of examples. • Use facts, anecdotes, and personal experiences for concrete details. • 11.1 Select examples that make your point, but you also want to make certain that your examples are fair and your point is heard. • 11.2 Ensure that your examples stay on target. Do not use non-representative examples. • 11.2 Make certain that your examples display all the chief features of whatever you are illustrating. Number of Examples 11.3 Should you use one long one, several fairly brief ones, or a large number? (page 202) ONE LONG ONE: topics where traits are combined to a single object. SEVERAL EXAMPLES: for historical trends or broader, more general claims. LARGE SERIES OF EXAMPLES: where claims are very general or very important. Organizing Examples 11.4 (203) For a Single Extended Example • Often follows a narrative, following events in a time sequence. • Provides details spatially or in order of importance. For Multiple Examples • Often in order from least to most (or worse to best) or reverse. • Trends: give examples in time sequence. For a Large Number of Examples • May be grouped in categories. • May be organized by time or by degree of a quality. Thinking Critically 11.5 (204) What interests and biases might the writer have? Has your bias affected the examples you’ve chosen? What other examples might have been identified? How would those other examples confirm or contradict the claims and impressions of the illustration? What do the examples emphasize, and how might a different emphasis lead to different impressions or conclusions? Ethical Issues 11.6 (204) Write so that your illustration is ethical. • Am I giving adequate thought to the point I make and the examples I use? • Are the examples supporting my point truthful, or are they slanted to deceive the reader? • Could my illustrations have harmful consequences? Do they stereotype and individual or a group? Do they harm someone’s reputation unjustly? • Will my examples promote desirable or undesirable behavior? PLANNING https://owlcation.com/academia/Illustration -Essay-Topic-Ideas See page 213: Writing an Illustration: A Summary Prewriting: you are expected to turn in your prewriting cluster map, list, or freewrite. ALSO: Identify: your intended audience and your purpose. Select/list the most effective examples. Organizational Plan: time order? Order of climax (least to greatest or reverse), or by categories? Create an Outline Introduction Introduce topic: engage the reader and establish the topic. Thesis sentence provide the statement which you will illustrate in the essay. Provide transition statement Sample Body Plan: Simple Body paragraph 1 1. Topic Sentence: Present the first supporting idea. 2. Supporting Details: Give specific examples (one long example or three short examples). 3. Closing Remarks: Wrap up the whole paragraph. Body paragraph 2 1. Topic Sentence: Present the second supporting idea. 2. Supporting Details: Give specific examples (one long example or three short examples). 3. Closing Remarks: Wrap up the whole paragraph. Body paragraph 3 1. Topic Sentence: Present the third supporting idea. 2. Supporting Details: Give specific examples (one long example or three short examples). 3. Closing Remarks: Wrap up the whole paragraph. Conclusion 1. Restate the thesis statement. 2. Emphasize the importance of the topic.
