Illustration

Illustrative essays offer examples in support of a thesis. A wide variety of subjects lend themselves to organization as illustration essays. In some cases, examples are marshaled as evidence to support an opinion that may be generally questionable or controversial. In others, the examples are offered as a montage of images or ideas to provide the reader with a sense of the depth and extent of the subject. Examples can be very short or extremely detailed. Short examples are often grouped together to provide the weight of quantity in support of a thesis. Longer examples are generally qualitative, representative, or anecdotal.

Unlike many other modes, the introduction to an illustration essay may not indicate the mode of the essay. The conclusion of an illustration essay often reiterates the most forceful or weighty examples that have been offered.

Method of Support
A writer may choose to use illustration or examples as a tool to support or add weight to the broader scope of the paper through empirical (observable) evidence. To support a thesis in favor of school uniforms, for instance, a writer might research to find and use clear examples to show that when wearing uniforms, students perform and behave better. To support a thesis arguing that a political candidate lacks competence, a writer might include examples of failures or poor decisions made by the candidate. By providing solid evidence in the form of an example or illustration, the writer builds a stronger argument.

ENGL1010 Composition I