|
Examples and Explanations
Writers use examples to help readers
understand their ideas. As The Longman Concise Companion
explains, "Examples, whether brief or extended, help clarify a
concept, explain a generalization, or provide reasons to support
your position. They help a reader see an idea in action and
its consequences" (43).
However, make sure you use examples
thoughtfully. As the table below illustrates, vague or
superficial examples won't help readers; they may even detract from
your paper.
|
Statement with no
example
(weak claim) |
Some television programming tries to
combat childhood obesity and encourage children to be
physically fit.
|
|
Statement with vague,
superficial example
(still weak) |
Some television programming tries to
combat childhood obesity.
Sesame Street encourages children to be
physically fit.
|
|
Statement with multiple
vague, superficial examples
(still weak) |
Some television programming tries to
combat childhood obesity.
Cookie Monster, Grover, and Elmo encourage
children to be physically fit.
|
|
Statement with concrete
example
(improved) |
Some television programming tries to
combat childhood obesity.
Public television, for example, regularly airs
segments called Healthy Habits
for Life.
During these spots, Cookie Monster and other
Sesame Street
characters tell children how the body works, how
important physical activity is, and how nutritious
fruits and vegetables are. (Information from
“Cookie Monster Eats His Fruits and Veggies,” Good
Housekeeping, May 2005: 103.) |
See Chapter 7, section f (pages
43-46) of The Longman Concise Companion for suggestions on
how to add details and examples to your text. |
