Exemplification Essay Writing Guide with Example
When we hear or see something unknown, we always feel a bit insecure or even frightened. Fear of the unknown is common to all people so it’s no wonder you feel it too. A long word like “exemplification” might seem scary at first sight. But you’ll totally get rid of any confusion as soon as you read our essay writer guide on how to write an exemplification essay.
There is really nothing difficult about this essay type. You have to make three simple steps to succeed: read our guide, choose a nice topic, and create an outstanding exemplification essay. Yes, everything is that easy. Don’t hesitate and get to work!
What is an exemplification essay?
The response to this question is simpler than you think. An exemplification essay is a type of an argumentative or analytical essay which uses examples to prove the thesis statement. When you write an argumentative or analytical essay, you can use facts, statistics, quotations, and examples as your pieces of evidence. When it comes to composing an exemplification essay, you have to focus on the examples exclusively.
An argumentative essay seems to be a more appropriate and easier way to prove your point of view. On the other hand, examples are the best and the most understandable way to illustrate your idea. Plus, writing exemplification essays will develop your skills of using examples in other types of academic writing.
10 simple steps to writing an exemplification essay
The writing process is much easier when you have a good plan. If you follow our essay writing service instructions, composing you exemplification essay will be a piece of cake!
Step 1: Choose a topic
Picking a good theme is already 50% of success. Your topic should satisfy at least one of the following qualities:
- current
- specific
- useful
- unique
Such topics are attractive to readers as they think that they’ll get new, unusual, or up-to-date information from your text.
Your topic shouldn’t be either broad or narrow. Broad topics are too general to be interesting, while narrow topics won’t allow you to find good examples easily.
Step 2: Provide research
No research, no material! Remember that the more information you’ll get, the better examples you’ll have for your exemplification essay example. Let’s talk a bit about the sources. We’re begging you not to use Wikipedia articles as a source of data. They’re not reliable AT ALL! The same is true for personal blogs. Your options are scientific journals, reputable newspapers and news agencies, educational websites, non-fiction books, etc.
Step 3: Choose appropriate examples
Keep in mind that your examples should not only be interesting but also applicable. For example, when you write about the personal qualities of leaders, you can use an example of Bill Gates. He is a workaholic who had only 15 days off in the period from 1978-1984. A hard-working nature is an important quality for a leader, right? However, you don’t have to mention that he is a college dropout, as it has nothing to do with his leadership.
Step 4: Compose an outline
Yes, a part of our plan for you is to make your own plan (*evil laugh*). In truth, we don’t want to laugh at you. Unfortunately, we can’t provide you with a universal outline that will be appropriate for every exemplification essay. Think about your thesis statement, put your examples in a logical order, and develop smooth transitions.
The only concrete thing we can recommend you 100% is to use a five-paragraph structure. One paragraph is for your introduction, one for your conclusion, and three paragraphs for the main body (one paragraph = one idea+one example).
Step 5: Write the main body
Surprisingly, the body is the part of your essay to write first. We’ll explain this peculiarity later. Each paragraph of the main body should consist of a topic sentence, transition, and example.
Example: “Vitamins are good for your health (topic sentence). However, in excess they can be harmful to your body (transition). For example, hypervitaminosis D can cause vomiting, muscle weakness, and fatigue (example).”
Step 6: Write an introduction
Your introduction has three functions: to attract, to prepare, and to interest. The first sentence is your hook. Draw the attention of your readers with a bold statement, unbelievable statistics, or a rhetorical question. Next step is to provide your readers with background information on the topic. In such a manner, they will feel confident while reading your exemplification essay example. Last but not least, write your thesis statement. Remember that your thesis statement reflects the structure of the whole essay and should be relevant to each example.
Example: You are writing about the various reasons for the American Civil War. In your thesis statement, you mention three categories of reasons: social, economical, and political. Consequently, your readers expect that you’ll exemplify all these categories at least once. Don’t let them down!
Step 7: Write a conclusion
The conclusion covers about 10% of your essay. Firstly, paraphrase your thesis statement to remind your readers what it was all about. Then, restate briefly each section to remind them of your examples. Finally, compose your concluding sentence. Make it in such a manner that your readers won’t have a question like “so what?” in their minds. Actually, the so-what test is a great tool for any type of writing. Your audience needs the feeling of completeness. Satisfy their need!
Step 8: Have some rest
No jokes. Your brain won’t be able to move forward to the next steps without a short break. Drink some tea, go for a walk, or bake a cake. We don’t know what you like to do in your spare time.
Step 9: Proofread and edit your essay
Now it’s time for the most boring, though significant, part of the writing process. Read your text and find all the weak sections. Replace them. Read the text one more time. Find all the spelling and grammar mistakes. Correct them. Read your draft again. Does it seem perfect? If not, repeat the whole process. Bring it to perfection!
Step 10: Get feedback
You don’t have to care about someone else’s opinion all the time. Yet, when it comes to writing, critics might be useful. You don’t have to take into account all the recommendations, but a fresh perspective never hurts.
Exemplification essay topics
Check out free topic ideas for your exemplification essay! We are 100% confident that after you read our guide, you’ll be able to write an awesome paper on any of these topics:
- How have cell phones changed interpersonal communication?
- A positive impact of social media on teenagers.
- Pros and cons of genetic engineering.
- How can individuals fight racism?
- Can online education replace traditional education?
- Are young people more inclined to drinking alcohol than adults?
- Significant climate changes of the 21st century.
- Is being optimistic better than being realistic?
- Dangerous habits of modern drivers.
- What is the worst sin?
- How do bad nutrition habits influence health?
- Is the spiritual development of humanity relevant to the technical progress of the last decade?
- How can music influence our mentality?
- What were the main reasons for the First World War?
- Is there a big difference between being a leader and being a boss?
Even with our guide and awesome topics, writing an exemplification essay is still not that simple. Our cheap essay writing service knows how to fix it! Check out our exemplification essay example. Pay attention to the use of examples and the structure of the text. You can use this sample for your own work, but don’t forget about proper citation!
Exemplification essay example
Animal Characteristics in People
There are various tests on the internet suggesting identification with an animal. Answering a couple of questions is enough to determine the core characteristics of a person to find an appropriate representative in the animal world. Such tests seem to be a kind of entertainment, but every joke has a part of the truth. It is not a secret that there are many different theories concerning the origin of a human being. Darwin’s theory of evolution is one of the most widely spread. Despite the fact that there are many contradictions and opponents to this theory, there is a share of truth. There are many examples of similes in everyday speech, such as to be as brave as a lion or wise as an owl. It is a logical conclusion that these examples of figurative speech have a practical, evidence-based background. Although there is a conviction that humans are superior over the other species, they have much more in common with other animals than it seems, as there are many examples of animal traits existing in people’s character and behavior.
Humans, just like animals, are aimed at procreation. Choosing a mate is considered to be a serious task in the animal world. In most cases, it is a female who chooses a mate, as she plays a more crucial role in breeding. That is why it is very important to choose a mate with “good genes … attributes which predict better survivance of the offspring, good potential parenting, and possession of resources … to support the offspring during their growth and development” (Krasnec et al.). For example, swans have only one partner in life; that is why they should be very attentive and careful in choosing. The same situation can be observed in human behavior concerning the selection of a partner. Women are the ones who choose and care more about children and family. They choose a partner who has more opportunities to provide her and the children with a prosperous future. It occurs on the subconscious level, and sometimes a woman cannot determine the reasons for her choice. Consequently, humans possess similar behavioral patterns in choosing a partner as animals.
Sometimes animals prefer a frivolous lifestyle focusing on pleasure rather than breeding. For example, a female Wattled Jacana can leave her offspring and mate in order to spend time with other male birds. The matter is that while “the male bird stays back in the nest to oversee the welfare of the younglings, the female wanders off in search of lustful pleasure” (Emmanuel). Though such behaviors are often attributed to men, this type of demeanor can also exist among women. Some are focused more on entertainment and pleasure and can leave their children and partner for the sake of other men. It is obvious that such women and Wattled Jacana can share a lot in common.
One more aspect concerning the similarities in behavior between humans and animals is motherly love. Some of the representatives of the animal world have more vivid maternal instinct. For example, octopuses are so devoted to their offspring that they are ready to make a tremendous sacrifice as they “neither leave the birthplace nor eat during the period that their kids are groomed” (Emmanuel). Similarly, the maternal instinct of a woman can also be so strong that she is ready to sacrifice even her life for the sake of her child. In a dangerous situation, such a woman will do everything possible to protect the baby. In fact, both humans and animals are ready to make such sacrifices for the sake of their offspring.
Animal traits can be noticed not only in the behavior of people but also in their character. There is such an expression as to be a shark in the business world. It does not mean that a person should eat the others; however, there can be a figurative message. Just like sharks, entrepreneurs should possess some significant characteristic features. For example, sharks are adaptive and are not afraid of distinct challenges (Folaron). The world of business has been continuously changing; that is why the involved parties should be capable of adapting to new forms of this field. Moreover, these people should be ready to sacrifice their time and efforts to achieve the goals, as in most cases this field requires business trips and overtime working hours. Consequently, businessmen can be sharks in a figurative meaning.
To conclude, people and animals have more in common than is believed. A lot of behavior and character traits can be found in a human personality. People, just like animals, can be very careful in choosing their partner or focused on pleasure rather than procreation. Moreover, they both can be very sacrificial when it concerns their children. There are also similarities in characteristic features. In general, due to supporting evidence, it becomes obvious that people possess some animal traits, even without realizing it.
Works Cited
Emmanuel, Chuks. “8 Human and Animal Similarities; Some Will Blow Your Mind.” Efor-Real, https://www.efor-real.com/2266/8-human-animal-similarities-will-blow-mind. Accessed 25 Aug 2018.
Folaron, Gloria. “Entrepreneurs: Are You a Shark When It Comes to Business?” Leantime, 2016, https://leantime.io/2016/02/03/entrepreneurs-are-you-a-shark-when-it-comes-to-business. Accessed 25 Aug 2018.
Krasnec, Michelle O., et al. “Mating Systems in Sexual Animals.” Nature Education Knowledge, vol 3, no. 10, 2012, https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/mating-systems-in-sexual-animals-83033427. Accessed 25 Aug 2018.
How to get help with exemplification essay writing
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