EXEMPLIFICATION
The Concept of Example
To exemplify, we mention a class – e.g. animals – and one or some (but not
all) of the members of that class – e.g. cats, or cats and dogs.
Note that it is not exemplifying to give a complete list of class members.
There is no exemplification in the sentence The two main languages of South
America are Spanish and Portuguese.
TASK 1:
Each pair of words below contains the name of a CLASS
(=C) and one of its MEMBERS (=M). Show which is
which by writing MC or CM alongside. Then write
another member of the same class, using the same kind
of word (noun, verb etc) as the given ones.
EXAMPLE: BOTSWANA/COUNTRY  M/C ... BURUNDI
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
BUS/VEHICLE (Give another NOUN)
TALENTED/ATHLETIC (Give another ADJECTIVE)
HATE/EMOTION
WALK/STRIDE
HONEST/VIRTUOUS
SPEAK/COMMUNICATE
Simple Example-Giving
There are two different ways to give examples in writing: simple and
complex. Simple example-giving is nothing more than naming one or some
members of a class. Usually it is done in the same sentence as the class
name.
TASK 2:
Make a list of all the example-showing language that
could fit into the following simple exemplification. Try
to find at least six expressions.
SOME EUROPEAN LANGUAGES ARE WIDELY SPOKEN IN OTHER
CONTINENTS, ................... PORTUGUESE AND FRENCH AMONG OTHERS.
Note the crossing out of “among others”. This expression (and its synonyms
like etc, and so on and to name but a few) is repetitive: it means the same as
the already-used example-showing language, so is not needed.
Complex Example-Giving
Written examples often do more than just name a class member – they say
something about it. This is what is meant by “complex” example-giving.
Here is an example:
Some European languages are widely spoken in other continents.
For example, Portuguese is common in Africa and South America.
The extra information about the class member here is underlined. It will
usually contain a verb (here is spoken). Because of this, the example-giving
must be in a new sentence and for example must have a comma after it.
Note the following common errors to avoid with complex example-giving:
WRONG (class member not in a new sentence): Some European
languages are widely spoken in other continents, for example
Portuguese. It is common in Africa and South America.
WRONG (class member repeated with a pronoun): Some
European languages are widely spoken in other continents. For
example Portuguese, it/which is common in Africa and South
America.
WRONG (class member in a sentence without a verb): Some
European languages are widely spoken in other continents. For
example Portuguese. It is common in Africa and South America.
TASK 3:
Find class members below that are directly followed by a
verb, and in them write a full stop before the words for
example/for instance and a comma after them. Otherwise
just write a comma before for example/for instance.
1.
Many countries besides Spain are Spanish-speaking for example Venezuela.
2.
Some numbers below 25 can be exactly divided by at least five other numbers
for instance 12 can be divided by 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6.
3.
Essay writing involves particular skills for example grouping and sequencing
points in a logical way.
4.
There are numerous requirements for giving a successful oral presentation for
example using signpost language promotes audience attention.
5.
Building more roads is desirable for various reasons for instance it can reduce
accidents.
6.
Languages can be learned with the help of special books for example
dictionaries, which assist vocabulary acquisition.
TASK 4:
Exemplify each of the following by choosing a suitable
example and adding extra information about it. Make
sure the example and extra information are together in
the same new sentence.
1.
Ancient Greek philosophers have provided us with many fundamental
ideas.
2.
Different types of physical exercise have different effects on the human
body.
3.
Some African societies require their young men to undergo formal
initiation rites.
4.
Most nationalities are famously associated with at least one particular food.
5.
Language learning strategies can be very effective.
6.
It is possible to identify the grammatical class of a word by seeing
whether that word can be said next to a particular other word.
Simple Example-Giving in a New Sentence
Sometimes it feels right to exemplify in a new sentence even when there is
nothing extra to say about the example. When we do this we have to make
sure there is a verb in the new sentence, and this often means we have to use
other example-showing language than for example.
TASK 5:
Underline the VERB and the EXAMPLE-SHOWING
LANGUAGE in each example below.
1.
Some European languages are widely spoken in other continents than
Europe. French is an example.
2.
There are various requirements for giving a successful oral
presentation. These include speaking slowly.
3.
When we give examples in writing, we usually need example-showing
language. One possibility is the phrase “for example”.
4.
The English Premier League has been won by only a select group of
teams. Among them are Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers.
5.
Global warming seems to be having a harmful effect on climate. This
trend is well illustrated by recent severe flooding in Bangladesh.
6.
Certain illnesses can be prevented by regular physical exercise. Heart
disease is a case in point.
7.
Certain illnesses can be prevented by regular physical exercise. For
example, heart disease is kept at bay by this strategy.
8.
A number of food crops are sometimes grown for a non-food use.
Examples are sugar cane and maize.
Important Note: The following example-showing expressions cannot be
used with a new-sentence example: e.g., such as, like, including and say.
TASK 6:
1.
Complete the following as instructed each time. Use a
variety of example expressions.
Give an example country in the same sentence:
Portuguese is spoken in many countries outside Portugal, ____________ .
2.
Give an example country in a new sentence:
French is spoken in many countries outside France.
_______________
____________________________________.
3.
Give TWO example numbers in a new sentence:
Some numbers cannot be divided by any other numbers except themselves
and one. _____________________________________________.
4.
Give TWO example conjunctions in the same sentence.
A conjunction is a word that enables two verbs to exist together in one
sentence, _____________________________________________ .
5.
Write a possible beginning of this sentence:
Physical exercise ___________________ , like preventing heart disease.
6.
Give an example of a vocabulary-learning strategy in the same
sentence (use a verb with “-ing”).
Vocabulary learning requires numerous strategies, _________________
_______________________________.
7.
Use a new sentence to name a religion and its vision of life
after death.
Most religions have some vision of life after death. ____________
Multi-Sentence Exemplification
Complex exemplification can sometimes be done in two or more sentences.
Consider again this earlier example:
Some European languages are widely spoken in other continents. For
example, Portuguese is common in Africa and South America.
This can be made into three sentences like this:
Some European languages are widely spoken in other continents. Take
Portuguese. This is common in Africa and South America.
The words for example have been replaced by take (another possible verb is
consider), and the class member and information about it have been separated into
two different sentences. Note the following:
-
THE EXAMPLE-GIVING MUST CONTINUE BEYOND THE SENTENCE
WITH take. Extra information about the class member should be in a new
sentence, and not joined onto the take sentence by means of who/which.
-
THE CLASS MEMBER IS REPEATED WITH This/These IN THE
SENTENCE AFTER take, NOT with It/They (It/They stands for the subject,
not the object of the verb before).
TASK 7:
Match each generalization in the box with a suitable
example below.
A. Mathematics is important in many academic subjects.
B. Numerous health benefits result from eating vegetables.
C. Health problems are widespread in large African cities.
D. Many animals have surprising characteristics.
E. Some food crops have a non-food use.
F. The environment usually suffers when energy is produced.
G. Nature is an influential source of technological innovation.
H. Each type of transport has its own particular disadvantages.
1.
Take sugar cane. This can be converted into fuel for motor vehicles.
2.
Consider the wings of birds. These have facilitated aircraft design.
3.
Take Kampala. Very few of its residents go a full year without
becoming ill.
4.
Consider railways. These may be subject to regular delays and
cancellations.
5.
Take the case of beans. Protein, essential for growth, is a major
constituent.
6.
Consider whales. These animals are mammals but live in the sea.
7.
Take Economics. One cannot go far without needing to make
calculations.
8.
Consider hydro-electricity. This usually interrupts the flow of rivers.
TASK 8:
Rewrite your answers to Task 4 so that they include take or
consider.