The standard expository paragraph
template calls for a topic sentence
to be supported with three pieces of evidence. However,
experienced writers often use only one piece of evidence
instead of several. Their reason for the change may be that .......
-
The other evidence is weak.
-
The other evidence has little appeal to the primary
audience.
-
The topic requires a detailed explanation best drawn
from a single source.
In situations such as these, a writer may choose to write what
is often called an example or illustration paragraph.
Definition of terms
Example or illustration is a large category that could include
several different types of paragraphs.
Generally, however, the term illustration or example paragraph
is used to describe a body paragraph that is all about a single
example and which is
The paragraph's organization
The organization of an illustration is very much like the organization
of a traditional expository paragraph, with between two and
five specific bits of evidence.
The illustration is distinguished from an ordinary body paragraph
by the fact that all the evidence is from the same source
on the same topic.
(Note: The terms evidence and source are defined
in the right hand column.)
Uses of illustrations
The illustratrative material might well be the writer's own observations
on a topic. The writer might present them in first person,
with some attribution such as
-
I saw an example of this ........
-
A similar experience happened to me ......
-
A friend told me about.......
The illustration may also consist of material from a writer other
than the author and presented in third person. This type
of illustration is a staple of literary
analysis. A writer might say something like this:
The premier example of an Austen heroine with a sensible regard
for the financial side of marriage is Eliza Bennett.
The writer would flesh out his or her illustration paragraph
with specific facts showing Eliza's financial awareness. The illustration
would be the writer's interpretation of what Austen said.
Illustrate within an essay
Asking students to write an illustration by itself doesn't make
sense. The illustration should be one of several paragraphs in
the body of an essay or other multi-paragraph work. The illustration
needs to be an example of ideas previously discussed.
Students can get along nicely without ever hearing the term illustration
paragraph. If you teach them to write expository paragraphs
using the five-paragraph essay
to think through their material, very few students will bat
an eye at being asked to include a different
type of body paragraph.
ELA prompt that calls for an example
Here's a authentic English class writing prompt that calls for
a paragraph of illustration:
A fairy tale is a type of writing whose
conventions mark it as distinct from other types of fiction.
Identify and discuss two or three characteristics
of a fairy tale that would distinguish it from other types of
anonymous fiction
Include in your essay an illustration
paragraph showing how all the characteristics you discussed
are combined in a single fairy tale.
Embedding a illustration paragraph or other specific paragraph requirement in a writing
prompt is a simple way to encourage paragraph development.
Published 17-Apr-2009; updated 15-Jun-2010
