Using Exemplification in
Your Writing:
Chapter 8
For example…
EXEMPLIFICATION: using
examples to explain a point or
abstract concept
DIFFERENT TYPES OF
EXAMPLES
Examples to Explain and
Clarify
Examples to Add Interest



Be specific- if you say
“the movie” it is general
and needs to tell what
movie
Avoid ambiguity

These may also clarify,
but also ,make the reader
want to read more
This works well if you
want the reader to think
about your writing and
react
DIFFERENT TYPES OF
EXAMPLES
Examples to Persuade
Examples to Test Your
Thesis



Examples that are clear
and exact to your topic
may make the reader
change his/ her mind
about the topic
Being specific is very
important here

THEY HAVE TO MATCHNO MATTER WHAT
Sometimes, you make a
point but do not totally
agree with it, it will show
in your examples and
should be avoided!
So, how many
examples do I need?
 The
number of examples one needs to
prove their point depends on the
assignment, the argument, and the
resources available.
 At tables, read p. 206-207. Discuss and
WRITE a summary of what you learned on
your note sheet.
 The
biggest issue when using examples is
giving credit to the source. In order to do
this properly, one must learn about
citations.
So, how do I use
citations?
CITATIONS IN THE PAPER
Because examples come from
sources, citations will be necessary in
exemplification papers! There are
three ways to use MLA in-text citation.
Paraphrase


Anyone watching the news in recent months
knows that the fast food industry has come
under attack. There have been several attempts
to sue the fast food industry for causing obesity
and the health problems associated with it.
According to Judge Sweet, who recently
ruled in favor of the fast food industry, more
than $110 billion is spent on fast food each
year (Appleson 2). No wonder, then, that the
fast food industry is the next victim of tobaccotype lawsuits.
Indirect Quote

Someone might argue that individuals need to
make the choice not to eat fatty fast food. But
as Kelly Brownell, director of the Yale Center
for Eating and Weight Disorders said that
humans are designed to want food that is full
of fat and sugar (Spake and Marcus 1). Our
bodies, then, are naturally driven to want the
food that fast food restaurants are offering, and it
is difficult for many people to go against their
nature and avoid eating fast food.
Direct Quote

Fast food is causing an epidemic of obesity. And
obesity is causing an epidemic of related health
problems, such as diabetes, high blood cholesterol
levels, and heart problems. According to Amanda
Spake and Mary Brophy Marcus’s article, “A Fat
Nation,” a “man with 22 extra pounds has a 75
percent greater chance of having a heart attack
than one at healthy weight” (1). It is not merely the
extra weight, which fast food eaters carry, that is a
danger, but as research shows, “eating too many
high-fat foods contributes to high blood
cholesterol levels. This can cause hardening of
the arteries, coronary heart disease and stroke”
(“Fast Food Facts” 1). And of course, fast food
restaurants have a high fat menu.
QUOTATIONS
Indirect
 This type of quotation is
not word for word.
 The meaning of the text is
not changed, merely put
into one’s own words.
 Credit must be given to
the author!
Direct
 This type of quotation is
word for word.
 It MUST be put into
quotation marks.
 NONE OF THE TEXT
CAN BE CHANGED!
 Credit must be given to
the author!
Planning an Exemplification Essay
 Provide
enough examples
 STAY ORGANIZED
 Choose effective examples
 Use transitions (see list of transitions on
page 43)
 Good transitions for exemplification
include:

For example, for instance, in fact, namely,
specifically, that is, thus
Structuring an Exemplification
Essay

Your Introduction includes an explicit thesis
statement
 Each body paragraph may



Develop a separate example, OR
Explore one aspect of a single, extended example.
Arrange your examples chronologically, in order
of increasing complexity, or in order of
importance.
 Your conclusion reinforces the main idea and
may re-state the thesis.
Revising and Editing an
Exemplification Essay
 See
Revising Checklist on page 209
 See Editing Checklist on page 210
In Class Writing Exercise

Look at the
Four Tattoos
(Photos) on
page 205 of
Patterns for
College
Writing.
How would you
describe each of the four
tattoos pictured?
Brainstorm with the
class on the prominent
features of each, and
then write a sentence or
two that describes each
of them.
 Write
a one sentence general statement
that sums up your ideas about tattoos.
 Why do you think people get tattoos?
 Do you see tattoos as a way for people
to express themselves?
 Do people use tattoos to express
individuality?
 Are tattoos are a form of rebellion?

Do you have enough
examples to support your
general statement about
tattoos?
 Would you ever get a
tattoo?
 Now write a paragraph in
your notes in response to
this question. Use your
answers to the questions
above to support your
topic sentence (If you
have a tattoo, explain why
you decided to get it.)