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ILLUSTRATION:
- Examples are specific
instances that explain the meaning of a general idea. The use of
examples appears frequently in our everyday oral communication. At
times, this method is used spontaneously to help others fully
understand ideas. In writing, examples can be used quite often as a
valuable means of developing main ideas placed in topic sentences.
Notice the following paragraph developed through the use of examples
– the topic sentence is italicized.
-
Many professional athletes
contribute time and energy to support various humanitarian programs.
First, Arnold Palmer, a legend in the golfing world, has been
chairperson for the "March of Dimes" on many occasions. Ted Williams
of baseball fame has been instrumental over the years in supporting
"Jimmy Fund" activities in the Boston, Mass. area to raise money for
children afflicted with cancer . Likewise, Chris Evert, champion
tennis player, has demonstrated tremendous energy in her battle
against drug and alcohol abuse. Finally, professional football
players such as John Elway of the Denver Broncos have been active in
"United Fund" activities throughout the United States.
- You will notice that
FOUR examples of professional athletes are used to develop the topic
sentence. The reader concludes with a definite understanding of the
main idea in the topic sentence.
- Closely related to the use
of examples is illustration. Where examples are particular instances
that explain a general idea, illustration is the method of extending
one example throughout the body of a paragraph to support a thesis.
- Notice the use of
illustration in the following paragraph:
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Great moments in sports are
truly memorable. For instance, I can recall the last time that Ted
Williams played for the Boston Red Sox. My Dad and I were sitting
among ten thousand fans on a damp day in Fenway Park. Having just
missed a home run his last time up, Ted came to bat in the eighth
inning. I was pleased that Ted was at the plate so late it the game.
The count was 1-1 when Baltimore Orioles' pitcher, Jack Fisher,
fired a fast ball to Ted. With a flick of the wrists, Ted Williams
launched the ball through the gray sky and into the Red Sox bullpen
for a home run. In his usual manner, Ted ran the bases with he head
down as my Dad and I, along with thousands of Red Sox loyalists,
cheered loudly. This brilliant performance was the last magnificent
event of Ted Williams' career. After this game on September 28,
1960, Ted Williams retired from baseball.
- You will notice that one
illustration of a memorable sporting event has been used to support
the main idea in the topic sentence. Other paragraphs in the paper
would use similar illustrations to support the thesis "Great moments
in sports are truly memorable."
- Your paper needs a thesis
statement.
- This statement should contain a point or idea you want to
illustrate, explain, argue, or prove.
- It should also provide a
general outline of how you will support this point .
- All of the
examples you use in the body of your paper should somehow relate to
this statement.
- For example, perhaps you want to write a paper about
characteristics of good writers.
- You decide that good writers should
possess an eye for detail, a facility with language, an
understanding of human nature, and a willingness to revise and edit
their work.
- In other words, you will explain your idea of a good
writer by using these characteristics.
- For your THESIS, you could
say, “Good writers possess an eye for detail, a facility with
language, an understanding of human nature and a willingness to
revise and edit their work.”
- In the BODY of your paper, you should
explain what you mean by these characteristics and provide specific
examples of writers who have these traits.
- You could also include
quotes from their work to support your point of view.
 
      
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