Example Paragraph

An example paragraph illustrates a concept in real-world terms and provides readers with an image of a concept that they can relate to.

Examples make general statements specific and more convincing.

Good examples can explain and clarify unfamiliar, abstract, or difficult concepts for the reader.

Use examples that are representatives of the types of situations of your readers.

Clear examples support, clarify, interest and persuade your readers to agree with you.

Sources of Examples:

Personal experiences

Other people’s experiences (friends, relatives, classmates, etc.)

Printed materials like books, magazines, etc.

Media: Radio, TV, and Movies

Environment

Hypothetical situations

Facts, events, statistics, quotations

Kinds of Examples:

Specific – examples that are definite or particular

Typical – examples that show common qualities or characteristics to a group or kind

Hypothetical – examples that present possible events that could happen in the future

Ordering of Details

Emphatic

Spatial

Chronological

Examples:

Nocturnal animals

(emphatic order - from the most familiar to the least familiar )

a. bats

b. owls

c. fox

d. raccoon

e. wombat

People who rose from rags to riches:

(spatial – from local to international)

a. Regine Velasquez (from Bulacan – local, meaning she is from Bulacan and we are from Bulacan) although you can also use her as an example for national)

b. Manny Pacquiao (from the Philippines – national)

c. Yao Ming (international – popular worldwide and comes from another country)

Forms of transportation in the Philippines

(chronological)

a. sleds or karitela

b. bicycles

c. car

Transitional words & phases

for example, for instance, for one thing, as an illustration, to illustrate, illustrated with, as an example, in this case

also, again, as well as, besides, furthermore, in addition, likewise, moreover, similarly

Things to Remember when Writing an Example Paragraph or Essay:

Be sure your examples are relevant.

Be sure that your examples are reasonable and realistic (except for the hypothetical examples)

Be sure that your examples are vivid in details.

Be sure you have enough examples to prove your point.

An Extended Example or Illustration is one that tells a story.

DOs and DON’Ts

1. DO provide enough examples to prove your point. One or two short examples will never satisfy the curiosity of an intelligent reader.

2. DO choose examples that are both specific and relevant. Remember that the quantity of your examples means nothing if the quality of your example is poor.

3. DO understand the purpose of your examples before you write your paragraph. Are you using examples primarily to inform your reader or to persuade your reader—or both?

4. DON’T use a series of slanted examples which may distort the truth. Use unbiased, objective, representative examples.

5. DON’T present a brief example and then move on to the next example without explaining the first. Provide your readers with enough secondary details to make your examples effective.

6. DON’T rely on a single extended example unless that example is comprehensive enough to illustrate your point.

(specific examples)

(typical example)

(hypothetical examples)