ENG098 Essay #1: Exemplification
Professor Jennifer Martin
EXEMPLIFICATION ESSAY ASSIGNMENT:
SHOULD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKE A GAP YEAR BEFORE COLLEGE?
Exemplification means to provide specific examples to clarify a general statement. In an exemplification essay,
you will provide specific examples to support your thesis (main idea). See chapter __ in your Focus textbook for
more information on writing exemplification essays.
ESSAY ASSIGNMENT
For this assignment, you will need to write a FIVE PARAGRAPH essay that utilizes the classification pattern of
organization. That is, you will need to classify a topic into parts or categories. For instance, if you were to write
an essay about dogs, you may classify dogs into three categories: big dogs, medium-sized dogs, and small dogs.
STEP ONE: DETERMINE YOUR TOPIC
Decide on a topic. Your topic should be something that can be easily classified into three categories.
Examples of topics include:
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types of first dates
kinds of cars
types of jobs
attitudes toward money
types of neighborhoods
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types of college courses
styles of music
categories of restaurants
kinds of college professors
types of friends
Use a single principle of division to classify your topic into three categories. For example, if your topic is
“kinds of school courses,” and you classify them into easy, moderate, and challenging, your basis for
classification is “degree of difficulty.” It would not make sense to include “early morning” (the basis of
such a categorization would be “time of day the classes meet”). In a single paper, you must choose just
one basis for classification and stick to it.
STEP TWO: PREWRITE
Once you have a satisfactory three-part division, spend some time prewriting about each of your three
points in order to develop your supporting details. You may choose to freewrite, make a list or create a
web to help you generate ideas. You will want to have three to four major supporting details (reasons,
examples, etc.) for each category/paragraph as well as adequate minor details. Remember, the more
specific you can be with your details, the more clear your essay will be to your readers. Use vivid and
descriptive words to appeal to your readers’ senses.
STEP THREE: DRAFT YOUR THESIS
Draft your thesis statement (either a three-part thesis or a key-word thesis). For example, if your topic is
“kinds of college courses,” your thesis statement may be:
My college courses tend to fall into one of three categories: easy, moderate and challenging.
Remember, you must state your thesis statement at the end of your introductory paragraph, after you have
provided background information on your topic.
ENG098 Essay #1: Exemplification
Professor Jennifer Martin
STEP FOUR: OUTLINE YOUR IDEAS
Use your thesis statement and prewriting to help you draft topic sentences for each of your body
paragraphs. It is helpful to make an outline with your thesis, topic sentences and major details to help you
stay organized. For example:
THESIS: My college courses tend to fall into one of three categories: easy, moderate and challenging.
Topic Sentence #1: First, my easy classes are the ones that I can pass with little to no effort.
 Automotive class with Mr. Lewis—I was always late and missed class at least seven
times
 American Wars class with Mr. Martin
Topic Sentence #2: There are other classes that I consider to be moderately challenging.
 College Algebra
 English with Mrs. Smith—LOTS of writing
 English II with Ms. David—Strict rules
Topic Sentence #3: Finally, there are classes that I consider really challenging.
 Advanced Automotives with Mr. Frank—Had a lot of homework out of class
 Psychology with Dr. Lewis—20 page final paper
STEP FIVE: WRITE YOUR FIRST DRAFT
At this point, you should have all three elements for your essay: your thesis statement, three topic
sentences for your body paragraphs, and the details needed to support each point. Now weave them all
together into a five-paragraph essay. Make sure that you refer to your prewriting often (especially your
outline) while drafting your essay. Also, use transition words and phrases to the best of your ability to
help you tie your ideas together. Transition words and phrases like also, another, in addition, and finally
really help your essay to flow more smoothly and sound cohesive. Don’t forget to include a concluding
paragraph in your draft.
STEP SIX: REVISE YOUR FIRST DRAFT
Take a break after you write your first draft before you start the revision step of the writing process. Some
time away from your essay will give you “fresh eyes” for the revision process. When you are ready to
revise, carefully read through your rough draft and ask yourself the questions listed on page 350 of your
textbook.
STEP SEVEN: EDIT YOUR ESSAY
Proofread your essay several times to make sure that you have used correct spelling, punctuation and
grammar. You can use the proofreading checklist on page 355 of your textbook to help you with this step.
Also, see suggestions for proofreading on page 353.