1. 2-3 pages in length; not including the Works Cited page
2. Follow MLA formatting and provide both in-text citing and a Works Cited page. Refer to the printed MLA Mini-Manual for help or any of
the online sources on the handout for using sources.
3. A clear thesis statement is required - for help with thesis statements refer to the handout on creating them.
4. Use a minimum of two outside sources for support - refer to source handout for help. Be very careful to use reputable sources as
outlined in the handout.
5. NEVER use Wikipedia - self policed websites cannot be counted on for truthful and credible information.
6. A clean, printed, hard copy is to be turned in to the professor in class.
7. The essays are due on the assigned day (on the syllabus) and will be docked one letter grade per day that they are late. That means
EVERY day, not just class days.
Purpose: The purpose of exemplification writing is to convey information through the use of examples. This type of essay could be a causal analysis, argument, or any other pattern of development, but most essays can only be strengthened by the use of examples.
Many assignments of this type ask for providing specific examples, citing evidence, drawing on experiences and observations, etc.
Examples also help make writing interesting to readers by giving specific reasons, examples, evidence and proof by showing the point that the writer wants to make in several ways so as to reach a larger audience.
Audience: The audience is sometimes those who are skeptical and need validity for an argument or position. It can also be readers who simply do not understand a concept or point and need several points of reference to further understand the concept being presented.
The audience is also sometimes those who have tried to understand points that have been presented in a vague way and examples can prevent ambiguity for them. If, for example, a writer wants to argue that school uniforms are a good idea, the examples of lower cost, more uniformity, less judgment based on financial status, less fighting, higher grades and better test scores are all good examples that help clarify, prove and support that position.
Organization and Development: Find a topic that lends itself to exemplification such as: what qualities make a person successful, what are the lifesaving qualities of organ donation, should there be a separation between church and state, texting and driving should be banned, teenagers should have curfews, how is welfare designed to hold people back, or euthanasia should be legal. Brainstorming is very helpful for this type of writing so that the writer can generate many examples and then have several to choose from when deciding which are the most important and which ones shouldn't be used to further the position. Using several examples is often the format chosen by a writer, but he or she also has the option of an extended example. If that is chosen, the writer decides which one point should be explained thoroughly using many details, which are also examples. Make certain that the examples chosen are relevant and accurate.
Organize the examples in chronological order if the topic is being developed from its beginning to its end or current status, spatial order if the topic requires the reader to follow a path, a simple to complex approach if the reader needs to understand a simple concept in order to follow a more difficult one and emphatic order if the topic is arguing something that needs to grab the reader's attention or persuade him or her. Be sure to create a clear thesis that makes the writer's intent clear and stay focused on only that direction. The conclusion can be a call for action, a restatement of a position, a prediction, or a summary to further restate the position.
Criteria for Evaluation:
Development
1. Has clear introduction and thesis statement.
2. Follows clear organizational pattern
3. Has appropriate title in the correct placement
4. Type of audience is considered
5. Tone is appropriate for the topic
6. Topic is supported fully
7. Has clear transitions from point and paragraph to point and paragraph
8. Style of conclusion is both suited to the topic and logical without adding new information
9. Stays on topic and does not veer off in unnecessary directions
Grammar
1. Has no comma splices
2. Has no run-ons or fragments
3. Uses correct pronoun agreement
4. Uses varied sentence structure
5. Spelling is carefully checked
6. Word choice is clear and appropriate
7. There is no faulty subject or verb agreement
8. All sentences are parallel
9. Commas and apostrophes are used correctly
10. Underlining, italics, capital letters, etc. are correct
Proper Use of MLA
1. Spacing is correct; without extra spaces used unnecessarily (2.0)
2. Proper information is listed at the top and left (Name, Class, Assignment Type/#, Date)
3. Name and page #'s are at the top right ½ inch from the top
4. In-text citations are correct and in the right place
5. Is the correct length with the correct number of sources
6. The Works Cited page has the proper format and correct heading
7. Information is properly credited to sources
8. Has proper margins and fonts