Exemplification Essay

Thinking about the exemplification essays we have read, it’s time to consider a perspective that you will illustrate by giving detailed, specific examples. Exemplification works on the strength of examples, so make sure what you use clearly illustrates your take on a general topic.

Goal: 5 paragraph essay with specific examples supporting a thesis statement

Intro: Name the topic, and explain its relevance or make basic definitions. Lead into a thesis that reflects your perspective on the topic at hand.

Body: Each paragraph will provide specific examples that help explain your argument. Remember to use commentary on the examples to tie them back to the thesis of the essay and the topic sentence of each paragraph.

Conclusion: Re-mention the thesis statement. Summarize the examples, judge the whole state of things by those examples, make recommendations, or make predictions.

Potential topics:

Reasons to start (or not start) college right after high school

The three best products ever invented

Ways that specific groups are breaking boundaries or making achievements in the world or community

Cellphones make people more (less) efficient

Technical Details Checklist:

Grammar Notes: This is a formal essay, so avoid the use of first-person perspective (I/me and we/us) as well as second-person (you). Also, do not use contractions.

Rough Draft, printed, due: _____________________

Final Draft, online, due:________________________