most illustration essays call for

Illustration Essays: Definitions, Templates and Examples

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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I’m a university professor, and in this article, I’m going to show you exactly how to write an illustration essay.

1. What is an Illustration Essay?

An Illustration Essay is an essay designed to describe and explain with examples. You will be required to use examples to reveal details about the subject you are discussing.

In many ways, it is the easiest form of essay because you don’t have to come up with a thesis or argue a point. All you need to do is explain with descriptions and examples (or ‘illustrate’) a subject or phenomenon.

Much like when someone draws a picture to show you what something looks like, an illustrative essay uses words to show what something is.

Related Article: 141+ Illustration Essay Topics

2. Difference between Illustrative and Argumentative Essays

You can see that in many ways, an illustrative essay should be easier than an argumentative essay . You can put all your efforts into your explanations and examples.

Aim to create a coherent picture in the reader’s mind about the topic you’re discussing.

3. Definition of ‘Illustrate’

Here are a few definitions of ‘illustrate’:

• Oxford Dictionary says that to Illustrate is to “Explain or make (something) clear by using examples, charts, pictures, etc.”
• MacMillan Dictionary provides this nice, simple explanation: “to show what something is like.”

Let’s now put the term into a few sentences to help clarify it for you just a little more:

• The newspaper article illustrates how the dinosaurs became extinct.
• The story of Abraham Lincoln provides a clear illustration of his life achievements.
• My father’s explanation of how to change oil in a car illustrated the process sufficiently.

Synonyms for ‘Illustrate’

Illustrate may also be interchangeably used with words like:

• Give Detail

4. How to write an Illustration Essay

Here’s how to write an illustration essay:

2.1 How to write your Introduction

The introduction is much like any other in an essay, and therefore I suggest you use the usual I.N.T.R.O formula .

This formula is a way of writing a 5-sentence introduction that orients the reader to the topic. Here’s how it works. Each of the following points forms one sentence of your introduction:

• Inform: Inform the reader of the topic.
• Notify: Notify the reader of one piece of interesting background information about the topic.
• Translate: Translate or paraphrase the essay question.
• Report: Report on your position or argument (This step can be skipped as you will often not need to make an argument)
• Outline: Outline the essay structure. You can use ‘Firstly, secondly, thirdly’ here.

2.2 An example introduction for an illustration essay

This example is for an illustration essay on the topic: Illustrate the various ways young people use social media in their everyday lives.

“Social media has many impacts on young people. Social media is quite new, with the most famous social media site Facebook only being introduced to the world in 2004. This illustrative essay will explain and provide examples of the many ways young people engage with social media every day. The essay will begin with an explanation of what social media is, followed by several illustrative points with examples to give details about what new media is and how it has changed young people’s lives.”

2.3 How to write an illustration paragraph (body paragraph)

Paragraphs in the body of an illustration essay have two purposes:

• Describe and Define: You need to clearly describe and define your subject to the reader. The reader should be left with the impression that you have a deep knowledge of the topic.
• Explain and Exemplify: You need to provide many examples to illustrate your points.

I recommend that you do this in order. Your first few paragraphs should describe and define the subject. Your following paragraphs should give a lot of quality examples.

2.4 Examples of illustrative paragraphs

I’ll keep using the example topic: Illustrate the various ways young people use social media in their everyday lives.

Example of a Describe and Define Paragraph:

“Social media is a form of media that emerged during the Web 2.0 era of the internet. It is unique because it gives people the ability of people to create personal profiles and communicate back-and-forth with one another. It is generally known to have emerged in the early 2000s with websites like MySpace and Facebook, and has changed recently to be heavily mobile responsive with the emergence of smartphones in the 2010s.”

Example of an Explain and Exemplify Paragraph:

“One unique consequence of social media is that it has meant young people are in constant contact with their friends. Whereas in the past young people would have to hang out in person to be in contact, now they can message each other from their homes. For example, young people get home from school and can log into their web forums like Facebook messenger. From here, they can stay in touch and chat about issues that happened at school. While this may be enjoyable, some people also believe that it means young people can continue to be bullied even from within their own bedrooms.”

2.5 How to write a Conclusion for an Illustration Essay

To conclude your illustrative essay, feel free to use the normal conclusion paragraph style. My preferred template for a conclusion is the 5 Cs Conclusion method .

Here’s a brief summary of the 5 Cs Conclusion method. Like the INTRO method, you can write one sentence per point for a 5 sentence conclusion paragraph:

• Close the loop: Refer to a statement you made in your introduction to tie the beginning and end together.
• Conclude: Show your final conclusion on the issue. As this is an illustrative essay that generally does not require a unique thesis statement, this step can be blended with ‘Clarify’.
• Clarify: Show how you have answered the essay question
• Concern: Show who would be concerned about the issue.
• Consequences: Show what the consequences of the issue are for real life.

Read Also: 39 Better Ways to Write ‘In Conclusion’ in an Essay

2.6 Example Conclusion for an Illustrative Essay

Here’s an example conclusion for an illustrative essay on the topic: Illustrate the various ways young people use social media in their everyday lives.

“The beginning of this essay pointed out that social media is quite a new phenomenon. Nonetheless, it appears to have had a significant impact on young people’s everyday lives. This essay has illustrated this fact with examples including points on how many young people use social media at home every night, how it has impact how bullying occurs, and helped them to stay in touch with friends who live long ways away. Parents and teachers should be concerned with this issue in order to help children know when to switch off social media or use it responsibly. Social media is not going anywhere and will continue to impact the ways young people interact with one another on a daily basis.”

5. A Template Just for You

6. Illustration Essay Topic Ideas

I’ve provided a full list of over 120 illustration essay topics you can choose form on this post here .

For a summary of 5 of my favorites, see below:

• Provide an illustration of the lifestyle of American Pilgrims in the first few years of settlement. You can dig deep in this example by giving explanations of the farming practices, initial struggles faced, and the complex relationships between colonizers and Indigenous peoples.
• Provide an illustration of the factory line production model and how it changed the world. Here, you can dig deep with examples of how the production line model was different to anything that came before it. You can also explain it using an example of a product going through a factory, such as a Model T Ford.
• Provide an illustration of the ways the court system seeks to ensure justice is served. Courts are complex places, so you can dig deep here to explain why we have them and how they help keep all of us safe.
• Provide an illustration of human development from birth to 18 years of age. You can dig deep in your explanation of how children move through stages of development before becoming what we consider to be fully grown adults. I selected this example for the illustration essay above.
• Provide an illustration of how and why the Pyramids were built. An illustration of these remarkable structures can help you delve deep into the ways ancient Egypt operated. Discuss the ways pharaohs saw pyramids as spiritual buildings, how they used slaves to build them, and the remarkable engineering coordination required to build enormous structures back before we had machinery to help out!

7. Illustration Essay Example

Topic: “Provide an illustration of human development from birth to 18 years of age. (1000 words)”

Introduction of the Illustration Essay:

Children are born with complete dependence on their parents for their own survival. Over the next 18 years they go through several stages of biological and cognitive development before reaching full maturation. This illustrative essay explores several key ideas about how humans develop in their first 18 years. There are multiple different understandings of how humans develop, and several of the major ones will be illustrated in this essay. First, the key ideas behind human development are defined and described. Then, several examples of key parts of human development in childhood are presented with a focus on Piaget’s approach to human development.

Body Paragraphs of the Illustration Essay – Definition and Description:

Human development is the process of human growth from birth through to adulthood. It is a process that takes somewhere between 16 and 25 years, although most western societies believe a child has reached adulthood on their 18 th birthday (Charlesworth, 2016). The process behind child development has been defined and described in multiple different ways throughout history. Two of the key theorists who describe child development are Piaget and Freud. Both believe all children develop in clear maturational stages, although their ideas about what happens in each stage differ significantly (Davies, 2010).

Freud believes that all children develop through a series of psychological stages. At each stage of development, children face a challenge which they must overcome or risk experiencing psychological fixations in adulthood. Freud outlined five stages of child development: the oral (0 – 1 years of age), anal (1 – 3 years of age), phallic (3 – 6 years of age), latency (6 – 12 years of age) and genital (12+ years of age). For each stage, there is a challenge (Fleer, 2018; Devine & Munsch, 2018). These are: weaning off the breast (oral), toilet training (anal), identifying gender roles (phallic), social interaction (latency) and development of intimate relationships (genital). If the child successfully navigates each stage, they will become a well developed adult.

By contrast, Piaget was focused less on psychological development and more on cognitive maturation. Piaget also believes that all children develop in roughly equal stages (Devine & Munsch, 2014). Piaget outlined five stages of development: the sensorimotor (0 – 2 years of age), preoperational (2 – 7 years of age), concrete operational (7 – 11 years of age) and formal operational (11+ years). In each stage, the child is capable of certain tasks, and should be encouraged to master those tasks to develop successfully to the next stage. These tasks include: mastery of the sense and motor skills to navigate the world (sensorimotor), capacity to use language and think using symbols (preoperational), ability to use logic and understand time, space and quantities (concrete operational), and ability to use abstract and hypothetical thinking (formal operational) (Charlesworth, 2016).

Body Paragraphs of the Illustration Essay – Explanations and Examples:

For the remainder of this essay, Piaget’s stages will be used to illustrate how children are perceived to develop. Piaget’s stages are still widely acknowledged as useful for teaching and guiding children through cognitive development, and are generally more well received in contemporary society than Freud’s. Their value in education make them an important set of stages to understand for teacher educators. Furthermore, many educational curricula around the world continue to roughly teach in stages commensurate with Piaget’s stages (Kohler, 2014). They are therefore important stages of child development to understand.

The first stage is the sensorimotor stage (0 – 2). Children in the sensorimotor stage need support to develop skills in navigating their immediate environments. At this stage, children are given objects with various textures, shapes and compositions to allow children to touch and learn about their world (Kohler, 2014). Children in this stage also learn to develop the understanding that when things are out of their sight, they still exist! Piaget called this skill ‘object permanence’. For example, the game ‘peek-a-boo’ is often very entertaining to young children because their parents’ faces appear to disappear from the world, then reappear randomly (Isaacs, 2015; Devine & Munsch, 2018).

The next stage is the preoperational stage (2 – 7). In the preoperational stage, children learn to develop more complex communicative capacities. Children develop linguistic capacities and begin to express themselves confidently to their parents and strangers. Children also develop imaginative skills, and you often see children engaging in imaginative play where they dress up and pretend to be princesses, firefighters and heroes in their stories (Isaacs, 2015). At this young age, children are very egotistical and continue to see themselves as the centre of the world. To help children develop through this stage, parents and teachers should encourage creative writing and praise children whenever they may see things from other people’s perspectives (MacBlain, 2018).

The third stage is the concrete operational stage (7 – 11). At this stage, children learn to think logically about things in their everyday environments. They therefore develop more complex capacities to reason and do mathematical tasks. At this stage teachers tend to encourage children to learn to come to conclusions using reason and scientific observations (MacBlain, 2018). At this level many children are able to see things from others’ perspectives, but remain focused on their own lives and things in their immediate environments (Kohler, 2014).

Lastly, from ages 11 and up, children develop into the formal operations stage where they can think abstractly. In this stage, ethical and critical thinking emerges. These young people are now starting to think about issues like social justice and politics (Kohler, 2014). They also develop the capacity to do more complex mathematical tasks in the realm of abstract rather than concrete maths. A real life example may include the capacity to complete algebraic tasks. This is why algebra tends to become a part of mathematics curricula in middle and high school years (Charlesworth, 2016; MacBlain, 2018).

While Piaget’s stages are widely acknowledge to be accurate for ‘normal’ development, there is criticism that these stages do not reflect the development of children across all cultures and abilities. For example, children with autism may develop at faster or slower rates (Isaacs, 2015). Similarly, it appears children in some non-Western cultures develop concrete operations at a much younger age than children in Western societies. Thus, other theorists like Vygotsky have demonstrated that we should not see child development in set rigid stages, but instead think of development as being heavily influenced by social and cultural circumstances in which children develop (MacBlain, 2018).

Conclusion of the Illustrative Essay:

At the beginning of this illustrative essay, it was stated that children use the first 18 years of their life to develop biologically, psychologically and cognitively. Zooming in on cognitive development, this essay has illustrated child development through Piaget’s four stages of cognitive development. Through these stages, it is possible to see how children develop from very dependent and unknowledgeable states to full independence from their parents. Teachers should know about these stages of development to properly understand what level children should be at in their learning and to target lessons appropriately.

References:

Charlesworth, R. (2016). Understanding child development. Los Angeles: Cengage Learning.

Davies, D. (2010).  Child development: A practitioner’s guide . New York: Guilford Press.

Fleer, M. (2018). Child Development in Educational Settings . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Isaacs, N. (2015). A Brief Introduction to Piaget. New York: Agathon Press.

Kohler, R. (2014). Jean Piaget. London: Bloomsbury.

Levine, L. E., & Munsch, J. (2018).  Child Development from Infancy to Adolescence: An Active Learning Approach . London: Sage Publications.

MacBlain, S. (2018).  Learning theories for early years practice . London: SAGE.

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 10 Reasons you’re Perpetually Single
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 20 Montessori Toddler Bedrooms (Design Inspiration)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 21 Montessori Homeschool Setups
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 101 Hidden Talents Examples

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Essay Papers Writing Online

Learn the step-by-step process to write an effective and captivating illustration essay that engages readers and showcases your analytical and critical thinking skills.

Exploring the vast realm of writing is akin to embarking on a captivating journey through the realm of ideas, thoughts, and knowledge accumulation. One of the most intriguing genres that allows individuals to express their creativity and analytical skills is the illustration essay. This unique form of writing serves as a powerful tool enabling authors to convey complex concepts in a clear and engaging manner. By utilizing varied examples, anecdotes, and visuals, writers are granted the opportunity to illuminate their perspectives on a multitude of subjects, ranging from art and literature to science and social issues.

In order to create an effective illustration essay, authors should take into account several key recommendations. Firstly, it is vital to select compelling and relevant illustrations that will serve as the backbone of the entire composition. These examples should be carefully chosen to emphasize the core message of the essay while capturing the attention of the readers. Allowing the audience to easily grasp the main arguments and ideas will result in a more enjoyable and enlightening reading experience.

Secondly, the structure of an illustration essay should be meticulously crafted to ensure the seamless flow of ideas and concepts. By employing a logical and coherent structure, writers can lead their readers through a thought-provoking journey. The essay should start with a strong and attention-grabbing introduction that presents the topic and establishes the purpose of the composition. Subsequently, each paragraph should be dedicated to a single illustration, supported by relevant evidence and presented in a clear and concise manner.

Choose a Focused and Specific Topic

When writing an illustration essay, it is important to choose a topic that is focused and specific. This means selecting a subject that is narrow enough to be effectively explored within the constraints of the essay, while also being broad enough to provide ample examples and evidence.

By choosing a focused and specific topic, you will be able to delve deeper into your subject matter and provide a more comprehensive analysis. This will not only make your essay more engaging to readers, but it will also allow you to showcase your knowledge and understanding of the topic.

When selecting a topic, consider your own interests and expertise. Choose a subject that you are passionate about and have a good understanding of, as this will make the writing process more enjoyable and productive. Additionally, consider the availability of examples and evidence that can support your arguments and illustrate your main points.

In conclusion, when writing an illustration essay, it is crucial to choose a focused and specific topic that allows for a comprehensive analysis and engages readers. By selecting a subject that aligns with your interests and expertise, you will be able to create a more impactful and effective essay.

Gather Sufficient Evidence and Examples

When writing an illustration essay, it is crucial to gather ample evidence and examples to support your ideas and strengthen your arguments. By providing convincing evidence and relevant examples, you can effectively illustrate your point and make your essay more persuasive.

One way to gather evidence is through thorough research. Take the time to immerse yourself in reputable sources such as books, academic journals, and credible websites. Look for information that directly relates to your topic and supports your main idea. The more evidence you gather, the stronger your essay will be.

In addition to gathering evidence, it is important to provide examples that illustrate your points. Examples can come in various forms such as statistics, personal anecdotes, or case studies. These examples should be specific, relevant, and clearly demonstrate the concepts you are trying to convey. By using a range of examples, you can appeal to different types of readers and make your essay more engaging.

When gathering evidence and examples, it is also crucial to consider opposing viewpoints. By addressing counterarguments and presenting opposing evidence, you can strengthen your own argument. This shows that you have thoroughly considered different perspectives and have come to a well-rounded conclusion. Additionally, addressing counterarguments can help you anticipate any potential objections from your audience and address them proactively.

In conclusion, gathering sufficient evidence and examples is essential for writing an effective illustration essay. By thoroughly researching your topic, providing relevant examples, and considering opposing viewpoints, you can create a well-supported and persuasive essay that effectively illustrates your ideas.

Use Clear and Concise Language

In order to effectively convey your message in an illustration essay, it is crucial to utilize clear and concise language. By choosing your words carefully and avoiding unnecessary jargon or complicated terms, you can ensure that your readers will understand your ideas easily. This clarity and conciseness will enhance the overall readability of your essay and enable your audience to follow your thoughts and arguments effortlessly.

When writing an illustration essay, it is important to remember that your goal is to illuminate a specific topic or concept. Clarity in language helps you achieve this by ensuring that your readers can grasp your intended meaning without any confusion or ambiguity. Using precise and straightforward language also helps you maintain the reader’s interest, as they can quickly and easily comprehend your ideas.

Additionally, concise language helps you make the most of your limited word count. By choosing your words carefully and removing any unnecessary fluff or repetition, you can maintain the reader’s attention and avoid overwhelming them with extraneous information. Conciseness allows you to present your arguments in a succinct and impactful manner, enhancing the overall effectiveness of your essay.

Furthermore, clear and concise language demonstrates your command of the topic and helps establish your credibility as a writer. When you are able to express complex ideas in a simple and straightforward manner, your readers will trust in your knowledge and expertise. It also shows that you have taken the time to carefully consider your words and communicate your ideas effectively.

In conclusion, using clear and concise language is essential in writing an effective illustration essay. By choosing your words carefully and avoiding unnecessary complexities, you can ensure that your readers understand your ideas easily and remain engaged throughout your essay. Clear and concise language enhances the overall readability and impact of your work, while also showcasing your command of the topic and establishing your credibility as a writer.

Structure Your Essay Properly

Developing a well-structured essay is crucial for effectively conveying your ideas and supporting them with relevant examples. A solid essay structure ensures that your readers can easily follow your arguments and understand the points you are trying to make. In this section, we will explore some essential tips to help you structure your illustration essay in a clear and organized manner.

One of the key elements of a well-structured essay is a strong introduction. The introduction sets the stage for your essay and should capture the reader’s attention, provide some background information on the topic, and present a clear thesis statement. The thesis statement should concisely state the main point you will be arguing throughout the essay.

After the introduction, you should organize your essay body into logical paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on a specific subtopic or supporting point related to your thesis. It is important to present evidence, facts, and examples in each paragraph to support your arguments. Use transitional words and phrases to ensure a smooth flow between paragraphs and to guide your readers through your essay.

In addition to organizing your paragraphs, consider using a visual aid such as a table to present data or statistics if applicable to your essay topic. Tables can effectively summarize information and make it easier for readers to grasp complex concepts or compare different pieces of data. Be sure to provide a clear explanation of the table and its relevance in the text.

Finally, your essay should conclude with a strong and concise conclusion. The conclusion should summarize your main points and restate your thesis in a way that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion and instead focus on reinforcing your main argument and leaving the reader with a sense of closure.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your illustration essay is well-structured and effectively conveys your ideas. Remember to always revise and edit your essay for clarity and coherence, paying attention to sentence structure, grammar, and punctuation. A well-structured essay not only demonstrates your writing skills but also increases the chances of your argument reaching your target audience.

Provide Relevant and Interesting Examples

When it comes to crafting an effective illustration essay, one key element is the use of relevant and interesting examples. Examples help to clarify and support the main points of your essay, making it easier for readers to understand and relate to your ideas. Additionally, by providing examples that are both relevant and interesting, you can engage your audience and keep them interested in your essay.

Relevant examples are those that directly relate to the topic or main point you are trying to convey. They should be specific and applicable to the subject matter, providing concrete evidence to support your arguments. By using relevant examples, you can strengthen your essay and make it more persuasive and convincing.

However, it is not enough for an example to be relevant; it should also be interesting. Interesting examples capture the attention of your readers and make them want to continue reading. They can be personal anecdotes, historical events, or even current news stories that help to illustrate your point in a captivating way. By incorporating interesting examples into your essay, you can make it more engaging and memorable.

When selecting examples for your essay, it is important to consider the diversity of your examples. Using a variety of examples can help to make your essay more comprehensive and well-rounded. You can include examples from different time periods, different cultures, and different fields of study to provide a broader perspective on your topic. This not only adds depth to your essay but also shows that you have done thorough research and considered different angles.

In conclusion, providing relevant and interesting examples is essential for writing a compelling illustration essay. By using examples that directly relate to your topic and are captivating to your readers, you can effectively support your main points and engage your audience. Remember to also incorporate a diverse range of examples to add depth and demonstrate your understanding of the topic. With these tips in mind, you can create an impactful and persuasive illustration essay.

Use Strong Transitions and Cohesion

A key aspect of creating a compelling illustration essay is the use of strong transitions and cohesion throughout the text. By employing well-crafted transitions and maintaining a cohesive structure, the writer can guide the reader seamlessly from one point to another, ensuring a smooth and logical flow of ideas.

Transitions play a vital role in connecting different paragraphs and ideas within an illustration essay. They act as bridges, helping to propel the reader from one thought or example to the next. Without strong transitions, the essay may feel disjointed and difficult to follow. To prevent this, writers should employ a variety of transition words and phrases, such as “furthermore,” “on the other hand,” “in addition to,” and “similarly.” These transitional expressions provide a clear and concise link between ideas, allowing the reader to easily grasp the intended meaning.

In addition to using transitions, cohesive writing is crucial in an illustration essay. Cohesion refers to the overall sense of unity and coherence within a piece of writing. It is achieved by ensuring that each paragraph and sentence flows logically from the previous one, creating a seamless progression of ideas. One way to enhance cohesion is through the use of repetition and parallel structure. By repeating key words or phrases, or by structuring sentences in a similar manner, the writer can establish a sense of continuity and reinforce the main points of the essay.

Moreover, the use of cohesive devices, such as pronouns and transitional words, can help to establish a strong connection between ideas. For example, the writer can use pronouns like “it” and “they” to refer back to previously mentioned concepts, creating a sense of familiarity and emphasizing the continuity of thought. Likewise, transitional words like “thus,” “consequently,” and “therefore” can highlight the cause-and-effect relationship between different ideas, further enhancing the cohesion of the essay.

In conclusion, incorporating strong transitions and cohesion is essential for writing an effective illustration essay. By carefully selecting and utilizing appropriate transitional words and phrases, as well as maintaining a cohesive structure throughout the essay, the writer can ensure that the reader understands and appreciates the connections between different ideas and examples. Ultimately, this will lead to a more compelling and engaging essay that effectively illustrates the chosen topic.

Revise and Edit for Clarity and Coherence

Ensure that your illustration essay is clear and coherent by thoroughly revising and editing your work. By revising, you can refine your ideas and ensure that your essay flows smoothly. Editing, on the other hand, focuses on correcting grammar and spelling errors to enhance the overall quality of your writing.

To revise your essay effectively, start by reading through it carefully and critically. Look for areas that may be confusing or need further clarification. Make sure that your ideas are presented in a logical and organized manner. Consider the flow of your essay and make necessary changes to improve its coherence.

When editing your essay, pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Use a spell-check tool to identify and correct any mistakes. Be sure to also check for proper sentence structure and word usage. Consider the overall tone of your essay and make adjustments as needed to maintain a consistent voice throughout.

Additionally, it can be helpful to seek feedback from others. Ask a friend, classmate, or instructor to review your essay and provide constructive criticism. They can help identify areas that may not be clear to the reader and offer suggestions for improvement.

Remember, the goal of revising and editing is to ensure that your essay is easy to understand and presents your ideas in a cohesive manner. Take the time to carefully review your work, making necessary revisions and edits to enhance its clarity and coherence.

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Illustration Essay Writing

Illustration Essay Topics

Last updated on: Jun 9, 2023

Best Illustration Essay Topics for Your College Essay

By: Cordon J.

Reviewed By: Chris H.

Published on: Dec 7, 2021

Have you struggled to come up with a good topic for your illustration essay but have no one to help? Well, never fear!

We’re here. In this guide, we will discuss brainstorming and coming up with topics in general so that you can find what is right for you fast. But you have to select the topic that suits your subject matter.

In a world of infinite possibilities, the most important step in writing an essay is to do research. The research will help you find information and resources for your essay topic.

Illustration essays explain the vivid form of creative writing that focuses on details to create clear images or analogies. An illustration essay is nearly impossible for someone who hasn't seen it before, but we have compiled an illustration essay topic’s ideas and lists so you can pick the perfect one!

On this Page

Illustration Essay Topics for High School

• Illustrate the meaning of “democracy is by the people, for the people”.
• How are volcanoes formed?
• How are hurricanes formed?
• How does the direction of wind change according to the seasons?
• Why is getting good grades important to you?
• How to maintain a balance between a healthy diet and fast food?
• What are the challenges faced by children towards their parents?
• Effective ways to save money
• Why should cloning be banned?
• How to study consistently for 5 to 6 hours?

Illustration Essay Topics for College Students

• Describe the jobs that are well suited for women and why?
• How would you decide to pursue your career in your favorite field?
• What are the challenges faced by you while getting college admission?
• Explain the importance of self-defense methods. Why do you think it is important?
• Why Is there no life on other planets?
• Did anyone know the mystery of life after death?
• How to write a good resume?
• Is the environment affected by humans’ actions?
• Describe the challenges of teenage life.Is branding of products important?

Sports Illustration Essay Topics

• Write about your sports day in college
• How to maintain school and sports equilibrium?
• What are the rules for playing hockey?
• What are the rules for playing soccer?
• How important is it to throw a curveball correctly?
• Which is the best time to practice football?
• Why is rugby so famous in the United States of America?Challenges of football players.
• Write about the sports teams that inspire you the most.
• Explain why sports are important for children?

Work & Career Illustration Essay Topics

• A day in the life of a lawyer and judge?
• How to prepare for your first interview?
• Dressing code to follow when appearing for an interview.
• How to evaluate the importance of time?
• How to become a successful salesperson?
• Why is the trend of students working in restaurants getting common
• Explain the life of a tax accountantImportance of high school in building up a career.
• Which fashion designer inspires you to opt for fashion designing as a career?
• How to become a dentist?

Community Illustration Essay Topics

• How to remain in a calm environment at your home.
• Rights of orphans living in your society
• How to take care of old buildings.
• 10 amazing places to visit in your town.
• What improvement do you want in your city?
• Do you attend the religious ceremonies of other religions?
• How are friendships important?
• What is the importance of women’s self-defense?
• How to keep your city clean?
• Illustrate your last ride on public transport

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

Illustration Exemplification Essay Topics

• How to let go of past memories?
• What do our fears teach us?
• Illustrate the history of racism.
• Illustrate the era of slavery.
• How to have a healthy relationship with someone?
• Why avoid student debt?
• How to communicate with your class-fellows
• Benefits of living in a students dorm
• What is the importance of group study?
• Discuss the impacts of college pranks

How to Choose an Illustration Essay Topic?

In order to write an illustration essay, you need to have a passion and knowledge. Additionally, your topic should provide enough material for creativity, while giving writers ample opportunity for research.

• When it comes to essays, the perfect topic is one that you have a passion for and knowledge about. Then, you can choose any video game or a season to illustrate it.
• In addition, this should provide enough material to write on without being too simple or having no room for creativity within your essay.
• Lastly, an effective illustration essay requires research. To be more relevant with its information!
• The Internet is a vast resource of information that can be used in just about any situation. And the great thing is, there's plenty out there for you to look up and research before choosing whichever topic sparks your interest most!

Lighten your load with the above-mentioned essay topics that will wow the graders!

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150 fascinating illustration essay topics of any level.

October 13, 2021

If in your English class you’re asked to create illustrative essay ideas, what do you write? Some students don’t know that illustrative writing is similar to descriptive writing. There is no switch to it. However, for a more precise understanding, you’ll learn what an illustrative essay means.

What is an Illustrative Essay?

An illustrative essay is detailed and informative writing which reflects the knowledge of a particular thing the way it is. Otherwise known as an exemplification paper or essay, it includes accurate data and stories.

An illustrative essay doesn’t only provide ideas on human experiences. It offers relevant examples and statistics to demonstrate the event and situations as a fact. This is why an illustrative essay is the reimagination of an event by both the writer and the reader to publicize human experiences. This is why it is the same as descriptive essays.

However, how do you write an illustrative essay? What about illustration paragraph topics, and how are they all structured? As you already know, an illustrative essay must demonstrate an event through the use of facts and evidence. To write one, you need to consider what’s below:

Outline of How to Write Illustrative Essays

Creating illustration topics or topics for illustration essays is sometimes difficult for students. Aside from this, it becomes more Herculean to write the article due to a lack of knowledge about the process. However, it’s been discovered that it is the simplest form of essays to write. This is because you’re translating previous experiences into reality. To write an illustrative essay, observe:

• Introduction This is the first part of an essay where your readers learn what the essay is all about. Even after getting good illustration essay topics, you need to explain what the essay will be about. This is the paragraph that is considered the attention-getter. Many believe that you can only keep your readers hooked with a strong first paragraph. You can do this by stating relevant and essential facts, quoting any scholar, and making personal anecdotes. By providing background information, you can have a final sentence stating the question(s) your essay will answer.
• Body Paragraphs This is where you keep different pieces of evidence to support your perspectives on the essay. This is where you analyze everything you know about the essay. Already, you must have had an outline on how each point will be elucidated. You must have also concluded how you’ll keep your readers glued to you through each paragraph. While you do all these, do not forget that you’re illustrating. You must always support each statement of fact with a piece of evidence. You can also attempt storytelling. These examples make it possible to believe everything you write in your essay.
• Conclusion This is the final part of illustrative writing. At this point, you’ll repeat the most vital points of your argument. This shows that readers have assessed these points in the essay, and they’re like the takeaways. Thus, they must be short, detailed, brief, and focus on what the reader must’ve learned.

To follow this structure, these are illustration essay topics listed for you.

Topics for Illustration Essays

You may need to develop creative illustration topics or custom illustration essay ideas as an academic requirement for your next assignment. Rather than comb through different pages on the internet, you can write on any of these:

• Illustrate fundamental career prospects of students you’ve spoken with, including their Plan Bs
• How do you think people view their beauty since the rise of Instagram?
• Would you rationalize why students survive on little to no pocket fee?
• What do you think should make up a good resume?
• What are the thoughts youths consider before joining a peer group?
• What is your worst experience of religion yet?
• What is your worst experience in school yet?
• What was the most embarrassing time for you as a student?
• What do you think about people with disability who believes they could do great things too?
• Examine the impact of any food of your choice on the body
• What do you think is the most effective teaching method for your teachers?
• What do you think about cultural diversity, and how can traveling enhance it?
• Describe an activity you meticulously did
• Describe the extent to which the environmental hazards can impact you
• Describe a natural disaster you’ve once experienced
• Describe the events of 9/11 and its significance to America
• The French and its allies have been said to have created ISIL. What do you think about the occupation of North Africa, especially Libya, in 2010?
• Explain the method involved in doing facial beauty
• Examine the factors to be considered while creating a professional profile
• What is your experience with cloning, and should it be banned?
• Divorce: drawing on the story of anyone, do you think there should be liberal laws about divorce?
• Explain what you understand by responsible studenthood
• Examine the challenges faced by children everyday outside school
• Examine the problems faced by students within campus and outside the campus
• Write about an experience of bullying
• Do you think smoking in public places is okay?
• What are the steps involved in applying for a student loan?
• Describe your family’s favorite vacation spot and why
• Describe the potential job you want to do and why
• Describe the process of getting a licensed firearm
• Describe the role of your favorite character in your favorite role
• Demonstrate the cruelty sexual violence is all about
• Describe how movies impact your perspectives about life
• Do you think the film you see affects how you feel?
• Describe how some youths became strong drug use
• Describe the advertisement you consider exceptional and why?
• Describe the process of shopping online in a store of your choice
• Examine why some people still opt for the physical retail store over online ones
• Describe how education help equip yourself?
• Examine the difference between a college degree and a diploma degree
• What are your views about any recent political issue?
• Write the factors an average father consider when buying a car
• Describe what you understand by a tornado from previous events
• Describe the factors leading to the success of the American evolution
• Describe how women play leading roles in a society that keeps them away
• Describe the activities of a charity you’d like to bankroll
• Examine the benefits of robot engineering
• Examine the processes involved in child reproduction according to biology
• Describe any theory in science according to your thoughts
• Why did Karl Marx call religion “the opium of the masses,” and why did Sigmund Freud say it is the “return of the repressed”?

Illustration Paper Topics

You may additionally need topics for an illustrative essay or a paper. You may need this for a presentation or your undergraduate long essay. You can consider the following illustration topic ideas:

• Describe a religious ceremony and practice you once witnessed and its importance to sociology
• Explain what it feels like to be homeless in contemporary America
• Examine the history of any city and explain how you connect with its past
• Describe the process in which women can protect themselves from men
• Describe a few signs of friendship in romantic relationships
• Examine the operation of any natural disaster in two cities of your choice
• Illustrate the course of any of the world wars in history
• Illustrate your experience of any museum dedicated to black art
• Describe a significant part of the history of any native town
• Examine the processes involved in investigating a murder case
• Illustrate the considerable difference between print media over digital media, which makes it the best choice
• Assess the significance of teamwork spirit
• Describe the problems of teachers in education today
• Take a trip to the football stadium and illustrate the ecstasy fans feel for their favorites
• What do you think about celebrities and the respect they command?
• Describe how effective transportation is in America
• Discuss the basic concepts of democracy and how it has been achieved in America
• What are the basic features of antiquity?
• Describe the significance of coffee houses in incubating their minds during the period of Enlightenment in Europe
• “The customer is always right,” examine how it ruins business
• Give an assessment of a week in the life of s surgeon
• Give an account of how to determine career interests
• Why is science the end of religion?
• Why is Mechanical Engineering the end of humans?
• Which profession is most indispensable?
• Illustrate how aircraft engage in capacity planning for their customers
• Detail the experiences of a construction worker
• Illustrate the law of karma
• Examine work challenges with difficult employees
• Illustrate the activity of any NGO of your choice
• Examine the history and prospects of 5G technology
• What do you think about the transition to digital banks?
• Give an overview of the entertainment industry in the UK
• Discuss why an international prize of your choice is overrated
• Illustrate the typical gay life in America
• Illustrate the challenges of multiple cultures in America
• Illustrate the challenges of religion in America
• Examine the process of adopting a child in America and its role in relieving orphanage homeowners
• Discuss the purpose of dog rescue
• With concrete examples, illustrate five native American cultures

Illustration Essay Topics on Parents

Writing an illustrative essay may also require you to generate one of the best illustration topics for your professor. As college students, you can consider the following about parenthood:

• Give an overview of parenting according to your experience of parents
• What do you know about single mothers?
• Detail the experiences of childbirth for many American women
• Explain the sense of responsibility from parents with relevant samples
• Examine how difficult it is to manage work and life together
• Illustrate a time your mum was delighted
• Illustrate your encounter of parents fighting for the right of their respective kids
• Examine the American Tradition that commands respect for parents
• How can parents and children develop practical communication skills?
• How can parents care for their LGBTQ kids?
• Do the research and describe parents’ response to the LGBTQ community.
• Examine how social development involves parents and guidance
• Examine why some kids run away from this
• Examine the significance of having a parent
• Illustrate the everyday challenges of kids in the family
• Examine what you understand about class struggle
• Illustrate why parents often have conflict amongst themselves
• Citing any family movie, why does either partner start a fight?
• What does domestic abuse in the home mean to you?
• Go to a market and illustrate any problem you see take place

Exemplification Essay Topics for College Students

Other illustrative essay ideas may be considered for high grades as a college or university student. You can consider the following to craft an intelligent essay:

• What is your view of the series Captain America?
• What is your opinion of the series Squid Game?
• Examine why studying is important to college students
• Illustrate your worst date experience
• Illustrate the significance of teachers on student development
• Illustrate a few ways to ask someone out
• Illustrate a prank you pulled and you never could again
• Examine challenges and fear of students in growing older?
• What has changed your view of religion over the years as a college student?
• What has inspired the traditions of football and other sports in the world today?
• Describe in detail how social media has affected relationships
• Illustrate how the COVID-19 pandemic affected relationships
• Examine how students can embrace personal branding
• Illustrate the story of Freddie Mercury as a rock star
• Write the biography of any music legend of your choice
• Discuss the challenges of any of your heroes or heroine
• Illustrate the traveling process and its benefits
• What are the stages personal branding must undergo?
• What are your ideas on religion, and how did you arrive at them?
• Examine the phases of the Homecoming event on campus
• Speak with one of your most demanding professors and document his lifestyle
• Examine the history of your campus motto and its significance today
• Write the experiences of a student like you without a social lifestyle
• Describe the last elections into your school’s Executive offices
• Speak with any tutor and illustrate his challenges
• Speak with any pastor and Buddha priest and examine their different ideologies
• Examine the feeling of taking classes outside campus walls
• Describe the factors that could lead to academic excellence
• Describe any building in America and tell the story behind it
• Tell the story behind the fall of the Twin Tower
• Illustrate the average eating habit of anyone of your choice
• Illustrate how hard it is to relate with strangers and love them
• Examine the state of things for international students in your school
• Illustrate the genesis of the Black Lives Matter movement and document your thoughts on the campaign?
• Illustrate the importance of s convenient dorm
• Why is the lack of good communication a threat to coexistence?
• Illustrate the persistent cold war between America and China
• Describe the experience of any of your teachers and how they have coped with oppressive bosses
• Describe how procrastination affects students
• Examine the various strategies of studying for a professional exam

Need Essay Writing Help?

With these topics for an illustrative essay, you can develop brilliant illustration essay topic ideas for your project or short college essay. It’ll be easy to wow your professors through this and gain high grades in class.

However, if you want freelance US writers to write for you, you should consider our online ENL writing services. Our writing services offer professional and top-notch essays. Our writing help is fast, cheap, and well-tailored to meet your university’s request.

We create custom essays and offer you top-notch essays. Regardless of the choices you make, you can develop one of the best illustrative essays from your class with our professional ideas.

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100 Good Illustration Essay Topics with Examples to Up Your Writing

College is a time interesting in many ways. One, in particular, is how you are constantly put in a situation of a novice and learn to be an expert in things you didn't know existed just yesterday. Writing all types of essays is an illustrative example of such a situation. It's not easy, but you do your best. Still, no need to make it harder than it should be!

We are here once again to help you brainstorm original and vivid illustration essay topics and inform your writing skills with good examples of illustrative essays. In the list below, you will find 100 innovative topics in 10 various subject areas, from science to literature. Attached to some of them are samples from our free database, which you are welcome to read and draw inspiration from. You can treat them either as prompts for a full-fledged essay or illustration paragraph topics for a larger project, such as a research paper or thesis.

If you need a particular illustrative essay example not found on the list below, fill out the order form or contact our support saying, "Can you write my essays on (for example) Shakespeare's modern-day reimaginings?" We will be happy to provide a sample that is customized minutely to fit your academic needs.

What Is an Illustration Essay?

An illustration essay is an academic paper that uses exemplification to explain its topic in detail. For instance, to illustrate a social problem, you list relevant cases from your professional practice or representative anecdotes that illustrate the problem in all its different aspects.

For example, for an essay on gender bias in teachers, you will bring up situations demonstrating how expectations might be set differently for students of different sex, how boys and girls are sometimes praised and reprimanded for different things, even though their conduct is similar, and so on.

What Is a Good Illustration Essay Topic?

Picking a topic for the illustration essay can be trickier than one for an argumentative essay. Although both types of essays use examples to explain and detail their main points, their goals are different. An argumentative essay aims to persuade the audience that the point of view stated in the thesis is the right one. In contrast, an illustration essay uses evidence merely to explain something perceived as an established fact.

For example, a topic for an argumentative essay on school uniforms might sound like, "School uniforms should never be forced on teenage students."  Alternatively, "This school should adopt uniforms for their elementary and middle-school students." Meanwhile, an illustration essay does not debate any point of view. It merely illustrates facts with examples. It should sound more objective. For example, "Ways in which school uniforms are beneficial for students" or "Negative impacts of uniforms in school." As we know, there are pros and cons to most things.

With that in mind, when you brainstorm illustrative essay ideas, make sure you go for topics that are rife with representative examples, aka reflecting the majority. For example, suppose you are trying to highlight the negative impact of uniforms. In that case, one example of a student who had an extremely rare allergy to the required fabric probably isn't going to work.

Topic reflected in a thesis statement follows a particular pattern. It consists of two main parts: theme and main point. The main point is what you want to say about the theme. For example, "First-year college students ( theme ) meet with many challenges ( main point )." This point is what you will be illustrating with examples. Sounds pretty straightforward, doesn't it? Now, let's get to our list of illustration essay topics.

Illustration Paper Topics on Education

• The Condition of Secondary Education
• Culturally Responsive Teaching
• Educational Technology
• ESL Mainstream Teaching Techniques
• Elements of Teaching
• Different Learning Styles and Techniques to Accommodate Them
• Challenges of the First-Year College Student
• Strategies for Curbing Procrastination
• Advantages of Face-to-Face Instruction
• Advantages of Online Instruction

Illustration Essay Examples on Visual Arts

• Greek Pottery of Geometric and Hellenistic Periods
• The Background of the Black Madonna
• Hand Lettering: Contemporary Artists
• Ways to Communicate a Complex Idea Visually (HIV/AIDS Awareness)
• Hong-Kong Cinema
• Photographic Works of Annie Leibovitz
• Montage and Editing as an Expressive Means in the Movie
• Expressionism In Fritz Lang's M, Robert Weine's The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, and F. W. Murnau's Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror
• The Unpredictability of Landscape Architecture Perception
• Tropes in Domestic Hygiene Commercials

Illustration Essay Ideas on Business and Finances

• Segmentation in Business
• Supply and Demand and Their Importance to the Consumer and the Producer
• Issues of Pricing and Marketing College Textbooks
• Interest Rate and its Impact on Foreign Exchange Markets
• Management of Change and Sustainability
• Relevance of Fair Value in the Contemporary World
• Marketing Strategies in Fashion Business
• Crisis Management: Successful and Failed Strategies
• Taxation Systems Prevalent Around the World
• Risk Management in Investment Banking

Illustrative Essay Topics on Sociology

• Americans are not a Wasteful People
• Censorship Of Social Networking Websites
• Intellectual Skills In Social Studies
• Sexuality in the Bible
• The History Of Swedish Immigration To The US Essay
• Identity Construction And Representation In Art
• Black Slavery and Freedom Art
• Gender Stereotypes: Effects And Explanations
• Job Search-Related Challenges in Entry-Level Job Market
• The Importance of Hand Gestures in Communication

Topics for Illustration Essays About Technology

• Technology and Scent
• Application of Information Systems
• Application of Relational Databases
• Technical Writing Principles for Instruction Manuals
• Mechanical Engineering: Machining Devices
• Technical Drawing and Orthographic Projection
• iPad and the Workplace
• Relationships Between Art, Games, and Technology
• Compound Documents and Their Types
• The Importance of Cyber Security and Clean Tech

Language and Literature

• Nationalism, Religion, and Gender in The Good Lord Bird and The Farming of Bones
• Thematic Range and Verse Variety of Du Fu's Poetry
• The Significance of Illustrations to Their Textual Matter
• The Concept of Symbiosis in Bloodchild By Octavia E. Butler
• The Link Between Grammar and Worldview Relating to Time in Various Languages
• Ways to Connect with and Audience as a Speaker and Build Rapport
• Functions of Professional Jargon
• Alliteration and Onomatopoeia in Dante's Inferno
• Language Acquisition Patterns in Multilingual Settings
• Humanism in Shakespeare's Plays

Law and Politics

• Violent Crimes in Criminal Law
• Understanding the Ethical Issues in Tax Systems
• Homeland Security And Statistics
• The Human Rights Act and Its Impact on the Concept of Parliamentary Supremacy
• The Way in Which Politics is Reported in a Western Liberal Democracy
• The Main Issues of Relationship Between the USA and China
• Issues in Texas Constitution
• Government Regulation of Prices on Consumer Goods
• States Lacking LGBTQ Nondiscrimination Policies
• Gun Regulation Policies Around the World

Science and Mathematics

• Mohammed Ben Musa AL-Khwarizmi Contribution's To Mathematics
• Waiting Lines and Queuing Theory Models
• The Resistivity of Metals and Factors Influencing It
• Thermodynamics, Mechanical Energy and Efficiency
• The Ancient Babylonian Numeration System
• The Application of Mathematics in Census Activities
• Conceptualization and Applications of Discrete Mathematics in Modern Computer Science
• Gravity and its Manifestations
• Natural Phenomena of Atmospheric Optics
• Application of Scientific Method in Various Disciplines

Health Care and Medicine

• Ways to Prevent Childhood Obesity Within Maryland
• Prevalence of Diseases in the Renaissance
• Environmental Health and Health Effects of Environmental Change
• Managing Chronic Disease in the Primary Care System
• Health Care Policy Issues for Immigrants
• Nursing Migration Policy: Impact and Issues
• Impact of Fast Food on Health
• Health Issues and Infection Outbreaks Linked to Restaurant Chains
• COVID Vaccine Types and Their Modes of Action
• Cancer Types and Treatments

Biology and Environment

• Biological and Trait Approaches to Personality
• The Four Forces of Evolution
• Sustainable Tourism: the Importance of Destination Tourism Indicators
• Benefits Of The Clean Air Act
• Social and Environmental Auditing
• China's Incineration Waste Plant
• Global Warming Effects on the Ecosystem
• Challenges of Recycling in its Current Form
• Natural Selection vs. Sexual Selection: Examples and Contradictions
• Wild Life Conservation and Biodiversity Protection Methods

These are merely examples of the various approaches and themes you can employ to find winning illustrative essay topics for your next assignment. With a bit of imagination, you now will be able to come up with at least three hundred more! However, should you run into any difficulty, we would be happy to assist you at any stage of your project: coming up with a suitable topic, researching, outlining, creating the first draft, or editing. Stay inspired and keep on writing!

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Home ➔ How to Write an Essay ➔ Illustration Essay

Illustration Essay Guide

In the expansive landscape of academic writing, illustration essays hold a unique position due to their particular emphasis on vivid examples and illustrations. These essays serve a crucial function: to provide readers with a rich, intricate understanding of a concept or idea, using examples as the primary mode of clarification and explanation.

The power of an illustrative essay lies in its capacity to bring abstract ideas to life, using concrete instances that breathe life into academic or theoretical concepts. Just as an artist uses a palette of colors to create an intricate painting, writers of illustration essays employ a spectrum of examples to elaborate, elucidate, and, indeed, “illustrate” their chosen subject.

The artistry in crafting illustration essays is in selecting and presenting these examples. The challenge lies not just in finding the right examples but in utilizing them to build an engaging, cogent narrative that adds depth and texture to the reader’s comprehension. This delicate dance of narrative construction and example deployment lies at the heart of every successful illustrative essay.

This guide sheds light on the nuances of how to write an illustration essay, offering expert insights into selecting topics, structuring arguments, and choosing the most fitting examples. With careful consideration of these elements, any writer can master the art of the illustrative essay and deliver impactful, persuasive content that is engaging and enlightening.

The Basics of Illustration Essays

Illustration essays are like a puzzle. They take a main idea or statement and then use different pieces – examples – to show a full and clear picture of that idea.

The first thing to understand is what these essays are meant to do. They aim to explain an idea or clarify a point by using examples. These examples are the heart of the essay. They take a reader from a vague understanding of a subject to a clear and detailed view.

An essential part of these essays is the quality of the examples used. They need to be relevant, clear, and precise. They must match the main idea closely and add detail to it. Also, it’s important to explain each example and link it back to the main idea. This will make sure the reader understands why the example is important.

Finally, a good illustration essay doesn’t jump from one idea to another. It’s well-organized, and each paragraph flows smoothly into the next. The essay starts with an introduction that states the main idea. Then, it uses body paragraphs to give examples and explain them. Lastly, it ends with a conclusion that reminds the reader of the main idea and summarizes the points.

This guide will show how to create such an essay, step by step, in an easy-to-follow way.

Choosing a Topic for Your Illustration Essay

Choosing a topic for your essay is like picking a destination for your journey. It will determine your path and the sights you’ll see along the way. But how do you choose a good topic for your illustration essay?

• First, pick something that you’re interested in. Writing is always easier when you’re excited about your subject. If you’re passionate about a topic, you’re more likely to put in the effort to find great examples and write a compelling essay.
• Second, ensure your topic is broad enough to find many examples but not so broad that it’s overwhelming. If your topic is too narrow, you might struggle to find enough examples to fill your essay. On the other hand, if it’s too broad, you might find yourself drowning in too much information.
• Third, consider your audience. Who will be reading your essay? What are they interested in? What kind of examples will they understand and connect with? For example, if you’re writing for a science class, you might choose a topic related to a scientific concept. If you’re writing for a general audience, you might pick a topic related to everyday life or current events.
• Lastly, make sure your topic can be explained clearly through examples. Remember, the goal of an illustration essay is to use examples to make a point or explain an idea. If your topic can’t be illustrated well with examples, it might not be the right choice for this type of essay.

Take your time when choosing your topic. It’s the first step in your essay writing journey, and a well-chosen topic can set you on the path to a great illustration essay.

Here are some examples of illustration essay topic ideas:

• The Influence of Technology on Our Daily Lives: You could illustrate this topic with examples of how different technologies have made life more convenient, changed people’s communication, or created new opportunities for work and education.
• The Impact of Global Warming on Our Planet: This topic could be illustrated with examples of changing weather patterns, rising sea levels, or the effect on wildlife populations.
• The Role of Social Media in Modern Society: Examples could include how social media has changed how we communicate, the influence on politics, or the impact on mental health.
• How Music Affects Mood and Emotion: You could use examples of different genres of music, the physiological effects of music, or personal experiences with music.
• The Benefits of Physical Exercise for Mental Health: Examples might include the science behind exercise and mental health, personal testimonials, or case studies.
• The Importance of Art Education in Schools: This could be illustrated with examples of how art education fosters creativity, enhances academic performance, or contributes to emotional well-being.
• The Effect of Healthy Eating on Personal Well-being: Illustrate this topic with examples of the benefits of a balanced diet, the connection between food and mood, or the impact on physical health.
• The Consequences of Procrastination on Academic Performance: Use examples of how procrastination can lead to stress, lower grades, or missed opportunities.
• The Impact of Volunteering on Community Development: You could illustrate this with examples of successful community projects, personal growth experiences from volunteering, or the social benefits of volunteer work.
• The Influence of Literature on Empathy and Understanding: Examples could include how certain books foster empathy, personal experiences with literature, or studies about the effects of reading on emotional intelligence.

How to Write an Illustration Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you’ve chosen your topic, it’s time to start writing your illustration essay. Don’t worry if you’ve never written one before or if you’re feeling a bit unsure. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way.

• Understand Your Assignment : Before you start writing, make sure you understand your assignment. How long should your essay be? What’s the deadline? Are there any special instructions you need to follow?
• Do Your Research : Next, start researching your topic. Look for clear, specific examples that you can use in your essay. Remember, your examples are the core of your essay, so choose them carefully.
• Brainstorm Ideas and Create a Thesis Statement : Now, start brainstorming. What’s the main point you want to make in your essay? This will be your thesis statement. It should be clear, focused, and supported by your examples.
• Outline Your Essay : Once you have your thesis statement, you can start outlining your essay. An essay typically includes an introduction (with your thesis statement), body paragraphs (each with a different example), and a conclusion.
• Write Your Essay : Now, it’s time to write. Start with a strong introduction to catch your reader’s attention. Then, write your body paragraphs, explaining each example and how it supports your thesis. Finally, summarize your essay with a conclusion reinforcing your main point.
• Review and Edit : Lastly, always review and edit your work. Look for spelling or grammar errors, check that your essay flows well, and ensure you’ve fully supported your thesis with strong, clear examples.

Remember, writing is a process. Don’t rush. Take your time to find great examples, organize your thoughts, and craft your essay. With patience and practice, you can write an excellent illustration essay.

Structuring Your Illustration Essay

The structure of your essay plays a key role in guiding your reader through the argument you’re making. A well-structured essay is easier to understand and more enjoyable to read. Here’s a simple guide on how to structure your illustration essay:

• Introduction : This is where you introduce your topic and present your thesis statement. Start with a hook – a compelling fact, a quote, or a question – to catch your reader’s attention. Then provide some background information about your topic. Finish with your thesis statement, which should clearly state the main idea of your essay.
• Body Paragraphs : Each body paragraph should focus on one example supporting your thesis. Start with a topic sentence that introduces the example you’ll discuss. Then, describe the example in detail and explain how it supports your thesis. Make sure to provide enough detail so your reader can understand the example and see why it’s relevant.
• Conclusion : This is where you wrap up your essay. Restate your thesis statement and summarize the main points you’ve made in your body paragraphs. Don’t introduce any new information here – remind your reader of what you’ve already discussed. Finally, end with a concluding sentence that brings closure to your essay.

Remember, the structure of your essay should help your reader understand your argument. Make sure each part of your essay connects to the next, so your essay flows smoothly from one point to the next. With careful planning and organization, you can create a well-structured illustration essay that effectively communicates your ideas.

Illustration Essay Outline Example

Let’s take “The Impact of Global Warming on Our Planet” as the topic. Here’s an outline for such an illustration essay:

I. Introduction

• Brief explanation of global warming.
• Thesis statement : Global warming significantly impacts our planet, as manifested through changing weather patterns, rising sea levels, and effects on wildlife populations.

II. Changing Weather Patterns

• Explanation of how global warming impacts weather patterns.
• Example 1: Increased frequency and intensity of heat waves.
• Example 2: More frequent and severe hurricanes and storms.
• How these changes impact human societies and natural ecosystems.

III. Rising Sea Levels

• Explanation of how global warming contributes to rising sea levels.
• Example 1: Melting ice caps in the Arctic.
• Example 2: Loss of land in low-lying countries like Maldives and Bangladesh.
• Implications for coastal cities and human displacement.

IV. Effects on Wildlife Populations

• Explanation of how global warming affects wildlife.
• Example 1: The impact on polar bears due to the loss of sea ice habitats.
• Example 2: Coral reef bleaching due to warmer ocean temperatures.
• Discussing the risk of species extinction and loss of biodiversity.

V. Conclusion

• Restatement of the thesis and summary of the main points.
• Discussion of the broader implications of global warming.
• Closing statement on the need for urgent action to mitigate the impacts of global warming.

Developing Strong Illustrative Examples

The strength of your illustration essay lies mainly in the examples you choose. They are the pillars that uphold your argument and provide the detail and depth that make your essay compelling. Here are some tips for developing strong illustrative examples:

• Relevance : Each example you use should be directly relevant to your thesis statement. It should clearly illustrate the point you are trying to make. If an example doesn’t strongly support your argument, it’s probably best to leave it out.
• Detail : An effective example provides sufficient detail. Rather than making broad, generic statements, delve into the specifics. This will provide your reader with a more vivid understanding of your argument.
• Variety : Use a range of different types of examples. These could be personal anecdotes, historical examples, case studies, hypothetical scenarios, or others. Variety not only makes your essay more interesting but also strengthens your argument by demonstrating that your point holds true in different contexts.
• Explanation : After presenting each example, explain how it supports your thesis. Don’t assume that the connection will be obvious to your reader. Be explicit about how each example illustrates your point.
• Balance : While your essay should be rich in examples, avoid overdoing it. Your essay should still have a clear and coherent structure; too many examples can make it feel disjointed or confusing. Aim for a balanced essay that uses examples effectively but maintains a clear and logical flow.

Remember, the examples you choose are the backbone of your illustration essay. You can create a persuasive, compelling essay by selecting relevant, detailed examples and explaining how they support your thesis.

Refining and Polishing Your Illustration Essay

The final stage in writing your illustration essay involves revising and refining your work. This isn’t just about catching typos and fixing grammar mistakes. It’s about improving the overall quality of your essay, making sure your argument is clear, and ensuring your examples are compelling. Here’s how to go about it:

• Proofread : Start by checking for spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. These can distract from your argument and make your essay difficult to read.
• Review your argument : Re-read your essay to make sure your argument is clear and logical. Make sure each paragraph contributes to your thesis and that your examples effectively illustrate your points.
• Check your examples : Look at each of your examples. Are they relevant, detailed, and varied? Do they effectively support your thesis? If not, you might need to find new examples.
• Ensure clarity : Make sure your essay is clear and easy to understand. Avoid jargon or complex language. Remember, the goal is to communicate your ideas as clearly as possible.
• Seek feedback : Ask a friend, family member, or teacher to read your essay. They can provide valuable feedback and may notice things that you’ve overlooked.
• Revise : Use the feedback you receive and your own critical review to revise your essay. This might involve reordering paragraphs, adding or removing information, or rewriting sections of your essay.

Refining and polishing your essay might take time, but it’s an essential step in ensuring your essay is the best it can be. With careful revision, your illustration essay will not only be error-free, but it will also be clear, persuasive, and engaging.

Utilizing Transitions in Your Illustration Essay

Transitions are the glue that holds your essay together, allowing your ideas and examples to flow seamlessly from one to the next. They guide your reader through your argument, making your essay easier to understand and more enjoyable to read. Here’s how to effectively utilize transitions in your illustration essay:

• Between Sections : Use transitions to move smoothly between the introduction, each body paragraph, and the conclusion. Phrases like “to begin with,” “in conclusion,” or “finally” can signal to your reader that you’re moving from one section to another.
• Within Paragraphs : Within each paragraph, transitions can help guide your reader through your argument. Use phrases like “for example,” “in other words,” or “specifically” to introduce your examples, and phrases like “therefore,” “thus,” or “as a result” to show the implications of these examples.
• Between Paragraphs : Transitions between paragraphs can help your essay flow smoothly from one point to the next. Phrases like “in addition,” “on the other hand,” or “similarly” can help create these connections.
• Transitional Sentences : Sometimes, a single word or phrase isn’t enough. In these cases, you can use a transitional sentence to move from one idea to the next. These sentences can summarize the point you’ve just made and hint at the point you’re about to make.

Remember, transitions should guide your reader, not confuse them. Don’t overuse transitions or use them unnecessarily. Be sure that each transition adds clarity and smoothness to your essay. With the right transitions, your illustration essay will flow smoothly from beginning to end, making it easier for your reader to follow your argument and appreciate your ideas.

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11 Illustration

Writing for Success

Learning Objectives:

• Determine the purpose and structure of an illustration essay
• Understand when to write an illustration essay

The Purpose of Illustration in Writing

To illustrate means to show or demonstrate something clearly. An effective illustration essay clearly demonstrates and supports a point through the use of evidence.

The controlling idea of an essay is called a thesis, and it should be stated explicitly. A writer can use different types of evidence to support his or her thesis. Using scientific studies, experts in a particular field, statistics, historical events, current events, analogies, and personal anecdotes are all ways in which a writer can illustrate a thesis. Ultimately, you want the evidence to help the reader “see” your point, as one would see a good illustration in a magazine or on a website. The stronger your evidence is, the more clearly the reader will consider your point.

Using evidence effectively can be challenging, though. The evidence you choose will usually depend on your subject and who your reader is (your audience). When writing an illustration essay, keep in mind the following:

• Use evidence that is appropriate to your topic as well as appropriate for your audience.
• Assess how much evidence you need to adequately explain your point depending on the complexity of the subject and the knowledge of your audience regarding that subject.

For example, if you were writing about a new communication software and your audience was a group of English-major undergrads, you might want to use an analogy or a personal story to illustrate how the software worked. You might also choose to add a few more pieces of evidence to make sure the audience understands your point. However, if you were writing about the same subject and you audience members were information technology (IT) specialists, you would likely use more technical evidence because they would be familiar with the subject.

Keeping in mind your subject in relation to your audience will increase your chances of effectively illustrating your point.

You never want to insult your readers’ intelligence by overexplaining concepts the audience members may already be familiar with, but it may be necessary to clearly articulate your point. When in doubt, add an extra example to illustrate your idea.

The Structure of an Illustration Essay

The controlling idea, or thesis, belongs at the beginning of the essay. Evidence is then presented in the essay’s body paragraphs to support the thesis. You can start supporting your main point with your strongest evidence first, or you can start with evidence of lesser importance and have the essay build to increasingly stronger evidence. 

The time transition words in the previous chapter on “Narrative” can also be helpful in ordering the presentation of evidence. Words like first, second, third, currently, next, and finally all help orient the reader and sequence evidence clearly. Because an illustration essay uses so many examples, it is also helpful to have a list of words and phrases to present each piece of evidence. Table 3.1 “Phrases of Illustration” provides a list of additional transitional phrases for illustration.

Vary the phrases of illustration you use. Do not rely on just one. Variety in choice of words and phrasing is critical when trying to keep readers engaged in your writing and your ideas.

Writing at Work

In the workplace, it is often helpful to keep the phrases of illustration in mind as a way to incorporate them whenever you can. Whether you are writing out directives that colleagues will have to follow or requesting a new product or service from another company, making a conscious effort to incorporate a phrase of illustration will force you to provide examples of what you mean.

Writing an Illustration Essay

First, decide on a topic that you feel interested in writing about. Then create an interesting introduction to engage the reader. The main point, or thesis, should be stated at the end of the introduction.

Gather evidence that is appropriate to both your subject and your audience. You can order the evidence in terms of importance, either from least important to most important or from most important to least important. Be sure to fully explain all of your examples using strong, clear supporting details. 

Adapted from Writing for Success  by University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing,  CC Attribution NonCommercial 4.0  

Illustration Copyright © by Writing for Success is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Illustration Essay

How to Write an Illustration Essay: A Complete Guide for Students

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Good Illustration Essay Topics & Ideas for Your Help

An illustration essay is one of the most interesting essay assignments that you will get in your college and university life. It is a unique style of writing and very different from other types of academic essays. 

A deep understanding of what exactly an illustration essay is and how to write a perfect one is important for success with this kind of work.

If you are new to illustration essays and don’t know how to start, our blog is here to help!

In this blog, you will find out how to write an illustration essay. You will also get a list of illustration essay ideas and samples to help you get started. 

So let’s dive in!

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• 1. Illustration Essay Definition
• 2. How to Write an Illustration Essay?
• 3. Illustration Essay Outline
• 4. Free Illustration Essay Examples
• 5. Illustration Essay Topics 
• 6. Illustration Essay Writing Tips

Illustration Essay Definition

An illustration essay is a type of essay that aims to present a compelling and vivid picture of a particular subject or personal experiences. 

Unlike other essays that may focus solely on presenting arguments or analyzing data. An exemplification/illustration essay employs various examples, anecdotes, or scenarios to provide clarity and support for the chosen topic. 

Purpose of Writing an Illustration Essay 

The goal of an illustration essay is to paint a picture for the reader, helping them understand the subject through real-life instances or relatable situations. 

This type of essay allows the writer to showcase their ability to express ideas in a relatable manner, making it an engaging and informative piece of writing.

In simpler words, think of an illustration essay as a bunch of pictures or examples that come together to create a clear and detailed image of the chosen topic. It's a way of making the subject more alive and easy to understand for the reader.

Check out this video to improve your understanding of illustration essays:

Read on to get a step-by-step guide on how to write one yourself!

How to Write an Illustration Essay?

Here is the step-by-step guide that you can follow for writing a great illustration essay:

1. Choose a Topic 

The first step is to choose an interesting topic for your essay. Make sure the topic you choose has enough material available online.     2. Plan Your Writing 

Once you have decided on the topic, start planning your essay. Find credible sources before starting to write your essay. In this way, you will have plenty of information and examples to include in your essay. 

3. Creating an Outline

Create a rough outline to make the writing easier. Make sections for the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, and write ideas you would add to each section. 

4. Introduction & Thesis Statement

Here’s the answer to “how to start an illustration essay?”

Introduction is the opening paragraph that typically contains 5 to 10 sentences. The number of sentences in the introduction depends on the complexity of the topic. 

The essay introduction should begin with a hook statement followed by some background information. End your introduction with the thesis statement. 

It is important to include a well-written thesis statement at the end of the introductory paragraph. The thesis statement for illustration essay should reflect your point of view. It is basically a one-sentence statement that tells the readers what you will discuss in your essay. 

Here is an illustration essay thesis example:

5. Body Paragraphs

This body section is typically made up of 3 paragraphs, but the number can be increased depending on the topic. In an illustration essay the body paragraphs should begin with a topic sentence followed by some supporting details and an example. 

Make sure to include stronger evidence to support the thesis. The stronger the evidence is, the more seriously the reader will consider your point. Make sure the illustration you provide to support a point must relate to the subject and your audience. 

You can also mention evidence in terms of importance, either from important to least important or from least important to the most important. 

6. Conclusion 

Create a summary of the whole essay in the last paragraph. Then, reiterate the thesis statement and include a finishing statement in the last. 

7. Add References 

An illustration essay may require you to use empirical data and other research material. Don’t forget to state the sources on the final page of the essay. Follow the referencing style specified by your instructor. 

8. Proofread 

Once you have finished the writing process, proofread your essay for any mistakes in grammar or structure. Edit and revise your essay to make sure it is free from any language mistakes. 

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Illustration Essay Outline

Below you can find the most common layout of the illustration essay. 

Below you can find a sample illustration essay outline that you can refer to for a better understanding. 

Illustration Essay Outline Example

Free Illustration Essay Examples

You can look at some professionally written illustration essay examples to better understand the correct writing style and tone for a great essay. 

Here are some illustration essay examples that you can review before beginning the writing process. 

Illustration Essay on Social Media

Example Illustration Essay on Smoking

Illustration Essay Sample

Illustration Essay Examples Pdf

Illustration Essay Examples For College

Illustration Essay Introduction Examples

Transition Words for Illustration Essay 

Transition words and phrases are important to include for a smooth flow of information. However, students sometimes find it difficult to have a smooth transition in this type of essay.  

Using transitions in your essay will make it easy for you to maintain a flow in your writing and for the readers to understand the connection in between. 

Here’s a list of transition words and phrases that will come in handy for writing an illustration essay: 

• For example
• For instance
• To illustrate
• In other words
• As an illustration
• In particular
• The result that
• Consequently
• Accordingly
• For this reason
• As a result

Illustration Essay Topics 

Choosing the right topic is the key point in crafting an outstanding essay. Below you can find some good illustration essay topics for college to choose from. 

• What are the best hobbies that can help you make money? 
• Illustrate how a good education can lead to a successful life
• Explain your views on your favorite social media platform
• What is the most common challenge faced by Students today?
• What are the necessary steps for writing a resume? 
• Rugby and football: Write about the main differences
• Status symbol and Fashion shows: Share your views with examples 
• What are the most effective ways to save money?
• Write about the challenges currently faced by students
• Explain how movies impact our view of life

Looking for more great topics for your illustrative essay? Browse through our list of illustration essay topics !

Illustration Essay Writing Tips

Ready to start writing your illustration essay? Keep these tips in mind to make the process easier.

• Define the Focus of Your Illustration Essay:

Before you start writing your essay, it is important to clearly identify the focus of your illustration essay. This will help to ensure that you are able to effectively illustrate your points in an organized and concise manner.

• Use Illustrative Examples:

Make sure to include examples to support your points in your essay. These can be real-world examples that illustrate a point or hypothetical situations designed to show how certain aspects of the topic work.

• Check for Clarity:

Once you’ve finished writing your essay, read it over and make sure it’s clear and easily understood. If there are any areas of confusion or ambiguity, revise them to ensure the reader understands your point.

• Use Credible Sources:

If you’re going to include any facts or figures in your essay, make sure they are accurate and up-to-date. Before including them, make sure to check their credibility with reliable sources. This will help improve the authority of your essay.

• Proofread Carefully:

Finally, proofread carefully for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and other errors. Make sure to edit and proofread your essay before submitting it. This will help to ensure that your essay is as polished and professional as possible.

Following these tips will let you write an excellent illustration essay. So be sure to keep these in mind while writing.

To conclude,

Hopefully, now you understand what an illustration essay is and the necessary steps for writing a perfect one. 

If you are still unsure how to write a good illustration essay, get help from expert essay writers. MyPerfectWords.com is the go-to service if you want to pay for essay . We provide the best and most affordable essays, All you have to do is say ' do my essay cheap ' and you can enjoy a quality paper without breaking the bank. 

Hire our top essay writer and get the best illustration essay writing help from experts.

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Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

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Illustration Essay

Learn How to Craft An Effective Illustration Essay

Published on: Jun 13, 2022

Last updated on: Jul 23, 2024

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Best Illustration Essay Topics - A List of 260+ Ideas

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Have you ever wanted to bring a topic to life with vivid details and examples? If so, then the illustration essay may be the perfect writing assignment for you! 

This type of essay allows you to paint a picture with words and show your readers exactly what you mean. 

In this blog, we'll explore illustration essays and how they can captivate an audience by using vivid examples and anecdotes. Whether you're a student or a professional, this guide will provide you with practical tips on crafting an engaging and effective illustration essay.

So, get set to amplify your imagination and take your writing game to the next level!

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Illustration Essay Definition

An illustration essay is a piece of writing that uses examples to support a thesis statement or main idea. It is also known as an exemplification essay because it provides specific instances that demonstrate or " exemplify " the writer's point.

Importance of Illustration Essay

An illustration essay is important because it:

• Helps the reader understand abstract or complex concepts by providing concrete examples.
• Makes arguments more convincing by providing evidence to support them.
• Enhances the reader's engagement by using relatable and vivid examples .
• Demonstrates the writer's ability to think critically and organize ideas effectively.
• Develops the writer's research and writing skills by requiring them to find and analyze relevant examples.

Enhance your understanding of illustration essays with this informative video!

How to Write an Illustration Essay?

Writing an illustration essay can be a challenging task, but by following these steps, you can create a well-organized and effective essay.

Step 1: Select a Compelling Topic

• Start an illustration essay by choosing a topic that is interesting, relevant, and has ample examples to support your thesis.
• Ensure the topic aligns with the purpose of illustration - to clarify, explain, or prove a point.

Step 2: Conduct Research and Gather Examples

• Find relevant and credible sources that support your topic. Use a variety of sources, including books, academic journals, and online articles, to gather information.
• Collect a variety of examples that support your thesis. These could be personal experiences, historical events, case studies, or research findings.
• Ensure each example is relevant and directly contributes to the understanding of your main point.

Step 3: Define Your Thesis

• Clearly state the main argument or point you want to illustrate in your essay.
• Your illustration essay thesis statement should provide a roadmap for the reader, indicating the specific aspects you will illustrate.

Here is an illustration essay thesis example: 

Step 4: Create your Illustration Essay Outline

Organize your ideas and examples into an outline that includes an introduction , body paragraphs, and a conclusion. This will help you stay focused and ensure that your essay flows logically.

Here's a basic illustration essay outline template:

Step 5: Write the Introduction

Start your introductory paragraph with a strong thesis statement that clearly states your main argument or point. Use an attention-grabbing hook to engage your reader and provide background information to set the stage for your examples.

Step 6: Develop Body Paragraphs

In each body paragraph, present a specific example that supports your thesis statement. Use transitions to connect your examples and show how they relate to your main argument.

Step 7: Write the Conclusion

Summarize your main points and restate your thesis statement in a new and compelling way. End your conclusion with a memorable final thought that leaves a lasting impression on your reader.

Step 8: Final Review

• Conduct a final review to ensure that your essay effectively communicates your main point through well-supported examples.
• Make any final adjustments to enhance overall coherence and effectiveness.

By following these steps, you can write an effective illustration essay that engages your reader and showcases your point of view.

Types of Illustration Essay 

Each type of illustration essay brings its own strengths and nuances. This allows writers to choose the approach that best suits their topic and the message they want to convey.

Single Example

These essays deeply explore one example to vividly illustrate and substantiate the main point. By focusing on a specific subject matter, they engage the reader in the writing process, ensuring the audience considers the writer's perspective.

Multiple Examples

Utilizing various examples, these essays provide a comprehensive view of the subject matter. By incorporating empirical data, they strengthen the writer's argument, making it more compelling for the reader.

Personal Experience

Relying on personal anecdotes, these essays connect the subject matter to the writer's life. This personal touch in the writing process ensures readers consider the writer's point more deeply.

Historical Illustration Essay

Drawing from historical events, these essays provide context and depth to the subject matter. By linking the past to the present, they engage the audience and the reader will consider your point.

Analyze specific cases or scenarios in detail. Examines real-life situations to illustrate broader trends or patterns.

Process Illustration Essays

Illustrates a step-by-step process to explain a concept or phenomenon. Break down complex procedures into manageable examples for clarity.

Research-Based Illustration Essays

Incorporates findings from academic research as supporting examples. Leverages scholarly studies and data to strengthen the essay's credibility.

Comparative Illustration Essays

Compares and contrasts multiple examples to highlight differences or similarities. Emphasizes the relationship between various instances to support the thesis.

Contemporary Issue

Addresses current events or societal issues through relevant examples. Connects the essay's message to contemporary concerns for relevance.

Analogical Illustration Essays

Uses analogies to illustrate complex ideas or relationships. Draws parallels between familiar situations and the topic to enhance understanding.

Literary Illustration Essays

Utilizes examples from literature, such as novels or poems, to support the argument. Analyzes literary works to illustrate broader themes or concepts.

Visual Illustration Essays

Incorporates visual examples, such as charts, graphs, or images, to enhance understanding. Appeals to visual learners and provides a different dimension to the illustrative process.

Transition Words for Illustration Essay

Transition words or phrases are crucial in an illustration essay as they help to connect ideas, providing a smooth flow of information for the reader. Here are some transition words that can be useful in an illustration essay:

• For example
• For instance
• Specifically
• In particular
• To illustrate
• As an illustration
• In other words
• In this case
• As evidence

These transition words can be used to introduce examples, provide specific details, give evidence, and clarify ideas in an illustration essay. Remember to use them appropriately and effectively to enhance the coherence and clarity of your essay.

Illustration Essay Topics Ideas

Here is a list of illustration essay ideas to get you inspired: 

• Illustrate the Impact of Social Media on Interpersonal Relationships.
• Explore the Benefits of Regular Exercise on Mental Health.
• Illustrate the Role of Technology in Shaping Education Today.
• Illustrate How Cultural Diversity Enriches Workplace Environments.
• Illustrate the Influence of Positive Parental Involvement on Academic Success.
• Explore the Effects of Climate Change on Global Biodiversity.
• Illustrate the Evolution of Online Shopping and Its Impact on Traditional Retail.
• Illustrate How Reading Fiction Enhances Empathy and Emotional Intelligence.
• Illustrate the Importance of Financial Literacy in Personal Finance.
• Examine the Positive Effects of Volunteering on Personal Well-being.

Check our blog on illustration essay topics for college, university, and highschool to get inspired for your next assignment!

Illustration Essay Examples

Looking for free illustration essay examples for college? Check out our selection of well-crafted illustration essays and get insight into this type of writing: 

The History of The Civil Rights Movement

The Impact of Social Media on Society

The Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation

Tips for Writing an Illustration Essay

Here are extra pointers to enhance your illustration essay:

• Clarity in Examples: Choose vivid, diverse examples that directly relate to your thesis for clarity and impact.
• Detailed Explanations: Provide in-depth explanations for each example to establish its relevance and support.
• Varied Examples: Utilize different types of examples (personal, historical, data-driven) to enrich your argument.
• Thesis Clarity: Ensure your thesis is clear and specific, guiding the selection and presentation of your examples.
• Transitions: Use smooth transitions between examples and paragraphs for a cohesive and logical flow.
• Engagement: Connect with the reader by making examples relatable and showing their relevance to real-life situations.
• Revision: Review and revise thoroughly for coherence, relevance, and effective illustration of your main point.

Wrapping Up!

We hope this guide has helped you understand the basics of writing an effective illustration essay. We have covered the purpose, types, and how to write an illustration essay step-by-step. 

By following our guidelines and tips, you can craft a compelling essay that effectively illustrates your point. Remember to choose a relevant topic, use vivid examples, and organize your essay properly. 

Looking for professional assistance with your illustration essay? Contact CollegeEssay.org today! Avail custom essay writing assistance 24/7 with all of your academic needs. 

Contact us now and experience the difference our AI essay writer can make!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should an illustration essay be.

The length can vary, but a typical illustration essay is around 500-800 words, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

How does an illustration essay differ from story writing?

In story writing, the focus is on narrative and plot development, often with characters and a storyline. Illustration essays, on the other hand, emphasize the use of examples to clarify and support a specific point.

Do all body paragraphs need examples in an illustration essay?

Yes, each body paragraph in an illustration essay should present a specific example that supports the thesis, providing detailed explanations and analysis.

Caleb S. (Literature, Reflective Essay)

Caleb S. has extensive experience in writing and holds a Masters from Oxford University. He takes great satisfaction in helping students exceed their academic goals. Caleb always puts the needs of his clients first and is dedicated to providing quality service.

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32 Illustration

[Author removed at request of original publisher]

Learning Objectives

• Determine the purpose and structure of the illustration essay.
• Understand how to write an illustration essay.

The Purpose of Illustration in Writing

To illustrate means to show or demonstrate something clearly. An effective illustration essay clearly demonstrates and supports a point through the use of evidence.

The controlling idea of an essay is called a thesis . A writer can use different types of evidence to support his or her thesis. Using scientific studies, experts in a particular field, statistics, historical events, current events, analogies, and personal anecdotes are all ways in which a writer can illustrate a thesis. Ultimately, you want the evidence to help the reader “see” your point, as one would see a good illustration in a magazine or on a website. The stronger your evidence is, the more clearly the reader will consider your point.

Using evidence effectively can be challenging, though. The evidence you choose will usually depend on your subject and who your reader is (your audience). When writing an illustration essay, keep in mind the following:

• Use evidence that is appropriate to your topic as well as appropriate for your audience.
• Assess how much evidence you need to adequately explain your point depending on the complexity of the subject and the knowledge of your audience regarding that subject.

For example, if you were writing about a new communication software and your audience was a group of English-major undergrads, you might want to use an analogy or a personal story to illustrate how the software worked. You might also choose to add a few more pieces of evidence to make sure the audience understands your point. However, if you were writing about the same subject and you audience members were information technology (IT) specialists, you would likely use more technical evidence because they would be familiar with the subject.

Keeping in mind your subject in relation to your audience will increase your chances of effectively illustrating your point.

Tip :  You never want to insult your readers’ intelligence by over-explaining concepts the audience members may already be familiar with, but it may be necessary to clearly articulate your point. When in doubt, add an extra example to illustrate your idea.

On a separate piece of paper, form a thesis based on each of the following three topics. Then list the types of evidence that would best explain your point for each of the two audiences.

Topic: Combat and mental health

Audience: family members of veterans, doctors

Topic: Video games and teen violence

Audience: parents, children

Topic: Architecture and earthquakes

Audience: engineers, local townspeople

The Structure of an Illustration Essay

The controlling idea, or thesis, belongs at the beginning of the essay. Evidence is then presented in the essay’s body paragraphs to support the thesis. You can start supporting your main point with your strongest evidence first, or you can start with evidence of lesser importance and have the essay build to increasingly stronger evidence. This type of organization is called order of importance .

The time transition words listed in  Table 10.1 “Transition Words and Phrases for Expressing Time” are also helpful in ordering the presentation of evidence. Words like first , second , third , currently , next , and finally all help orient the reader and sequence evidence clearly. Because an illustration essay uses so many examples, it is also helpful to have a list of words and phrases to present each piece of evidence. Table 10.2 “Phrases of Illustration” provides a list of phrases for illustration.

Table 10.1  Transition Words and Phrases for Expressing Time

Table 10.2 Phrases of Illustration

Tip :  Vary the phrases of illustration you use. Do not rely on just one. Variety in choice of words and phrasing is critical when trying to keep readers engaged in your writing and your ideas.

Writing at Work : In the workplace, it is often helpful to keep the phrases of illustration in mind as a way to incorporate them whenever you can. Whether you are writing out directives that colleagues will have to follow or requesting a new product or service from another company, making a conscious effort to incorporate a phrase of illustration will force you to provide examples of what you mean.

On a separate sheet of paper, form a thesis based on one of the following topics. Then support that thesis with three pieces of evidence. Make sure to use a different phrase of illustration to introduce each piece of evidence you choose.

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your answers. Discuss which topic you like the best or would like to learn more about. Indicate which thesis statement you perceive as the most effective.

Writing an Illustration Essay

First, decide on a topic that you feel interested in writing about. Then create an interesting introduction to engage the reader. The main point, or thesis, should be stated at the end of the introduction. Gather evidence that is appropriate to both your subject and your audience. You can order the evidence in terms of importance, either from least important to most important or from most important to least important. Be sure to fully explain all of your examples using strong, clear supporting details. See a sample illustration essay below that takes the form of a letter:

Letter to the City

To: Lakeview Department of Transportation

From: A Concerned Citizen

The intersection of Central Avenue and Lake Street is dangerous and demands immediate consideration for the installation of a controlling mechanism. I have lived in Lakeview my entire life, and during that time I have witnessed too many accidents and close calls at that intersection. I would like the Department of Transportation to answer this question: how many lives have to be lost on the corner of Central Avenue and Lake Street before a street light or stop sign is placed there?

Over the past twenty years, the population of Lakeview has increased dramatically. This population growth has put tremendous pressure on the city’s roadways, especially Central Avenue and its intersecting streets. At the intersection of Central Avenue and Lake Street it is easy to see how serious this problem is. For example, when I try to cross Central Avenue as a pedestrian, I frequently wait over ten minutes for the cars to clear, and even then I must rush to the median. I will then have to continue to wait until I can finally run to the other side of the street. On one hand, even as a physically fit adult, I can run only with significant effort and care. Expecting a senior citizen or a child to cross this street, on the other hand, is extremely dangerous and irresponsible. Does the city have any plans to do anything about this?

Recent data show that the intersection of Central Avenue and Lake Street has been especially dangerous. According to the city’s own statistics, three fatalities occurred at that intersection in the past year alone. Over the past five years, the intersection witnessed fourteen car accidents, five of which were fatal. These numbers officially qualify the intersection as the most fatal and dangerous in the entire state. It should go without saying that fatalities and accidents are not the clearest way of measuring the severity of this situation because for each accident that happens, countless other close calls never contribute to city data. I hope you will agree that these numbers alone are sufficient evidence that the intersection at Central Avenue and Lake Street is hazardous and demands immediate attention.

Nearly all accidents mentioned are caused by vehicles trying to cross Central Avenue while driving on Lake Street. I think the City of Lakeview should consider placing a traffic light there to control the traffic going both ways. While I do not have access to any resources or data that can show precisely how much a traffic light can improve the intersection, I think you will agree that a controlled busy intersection is much safer than an uncontrolled one. Therefore, at a minimum, the city must consider making the intersection a four-way stop.

Each day that goes by without attention to this issue is a lost opportunity to save lives and make the community a safer, more enjoyable place to live. Because the safety of citizens is the priority of every government, I can only expect that the Department of Transportation and the City of Lakeview will act on this matter immediately. For the safety and well-being of Lakeview citizens, please do not let bureaucracy or money impede this urgent project.

A Concerned Citizen

On a separate sheet of paper, write a five-paragraph illustration essay. You can choose one of the topics from Exercise 1 or Exercise 2 or choose your own.

Key Takeaways An illustration essay clearly explains a main point using evidence. When choosing evidence, always gauge whether the evidence is appropriate for the subject as well as the audience. Organize the evidence in terms of importance, either from least important to most important or from most important to least important. Use time transitions to order evidence. Use phrases of illustration to call out examples.

Key Takeaways

• An illustration essay clearly explains a main point using evidence.
• When choosing evidence, always gauge whether the evidence is appropriate for the subject as well as the audience.
• Organize the evidence in terms of importance, either from least important to most important or from most important to least important.
• Use time transitions to order evidence.
• Use phrases of illustration to call out examples.

Illustration Copyright © 2020 by [Author removed at request of original publisher] is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Tips and Tricks on How to Write a Decent Illustration Essay

Updated 17 Sep 2024

An illustration essay is a practical exercise before writing your future thesis. People call it as student’s first step to the joy of discovery. This kind of papers encourages them to use fresh ideas when it comes to supportive arguments and to pay more attention to the research process. Illustration essay teaches how to find and assemble relevant materials for writing. It is one of the basic tasks students deal with at college. Let’s figure out some tips that will help you to receive higher grades with the professional help of Edubirdie essay writing service.

Definition of Illustration Essay

An illustration essay is a kind of informative writing, whose purpose is to demonstrate that particular thing exists and acts in a certain way. An illustration essay is also known as exemplification paper. It means that an author needs to summarize empirical data and include their definition. It is not a discovery of something brand-new, just a summary of experiences by providing vivid examples that clarify the issue. These examples are what makes an illustration essay good.

No focus on sensations or discoveries is required. One has to demonstrate a topic idea through supporting facts so readers can imagine those situations. The explanation of findings with a chain of examples is a must. Use people, situations, experiences that make an issue more related to real life.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Illustration Essay

Step 1: Choose a topic. Think about something that bothers you, identify the main object, then write about it. There is a list of illustration essay topics below you may use for inspiration.

Step 2. Conduct some research. Even if you know chosen topic well, still check out the related latest news. You may find useful materials or change your perspective.

Step 3. Write an outline. Note the main points and ideas. Write down as many examples as possible, then pick the best options to illustrate. You will end up with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

Step 4. Work on content. Turn your outline into a proper essay. Write a strong thesis. Sum up the same idea in conclusion. Explain the chosen example in each main paragraph.

Step 5. Proofread.  Use plagiarism, grammar check, never submit an essay that is not properly edited. Your idea is the core, but poor grammar, spelling, punctuation, or cohesion spoil it.

Step 6. Final check. Read your final paper once again before submission. Make sure it is interesting for reading and answers questions you touch upon.

How to Find Inspiration and Evidence

There is enough information to look for evidence for your illustration paper. Sometimes information overdose can even make choosing only three or four examples difficult. If you are curious about how to write an illustration essay that will be unputdownable, start with looking for good sources of ideas and evidence.

The biggest source of ideas is the media. Read an article, learn how to write a creative essay , find a quote in a book, check out accounts of celebrities, influencers, friends. Inspiration often comes from everyday life. A walk, a conversation with someone, another supermarket situation can trigger extraordinary ideas. Talk with people, turn on the news, pay attention to what happens around you. 

The research format doesn’t matter. Just use different sources and make examples more diverse. You may search for the ideas for your illustration essay on social media, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit. Scroll your feed, check what tags are trending. Watch some YouTube videos, movies, TV shows. Look through online newspapers, magazines or articles. books.

Tips for Writing an Illustration Essay

Gather Evidence

If you plan to write a three-paragraph essay, you will need three illustrations. Nevertheless, don’t hesitate to make the list of five or even ten items. When you have more options than necessary, try to choose the most interesting, intriguing, effective ones. It is much better than lacking arguments.

Keep it short

Usually, the essay length is indicated in the requirements. If not, don’t write more than three pages. Don’t try to push in all ideas that come to mind. Choose the most illustrative evidence.

Use specific examples

A reader shouldn’t spend time trying to reveal your symbolism. All examples should be straightforward, vivid, even shocking. They should make an impression on a person, be memorable, trigger an emotional response. Using personal experiences is often a good idea. Examples should be appropriate and targeted at your audience.

Basic Illustration Essay Structure

An illustration essay consists of an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. There are some nuances regarding each part.

The introduction presents your idea. Start with introducing a concept you will write about. Move to the statement – a sentence that summarizes the main idea and is the core part of your introduction. It is a starting point for supporting evidence. The introduction should be catchy. You can use such options to hook the readers’ attention like an inspirational quote, interesting fact, statistics, anecdote or real-life situation.

Body paragraphs explain and illustrate the evidence. An introduction opens a door into a room, and this part is what readers find there. All paragraphs have similar structures and consist of the following components:

• Topic sentence – the main supportive argument of this particular paragraph.
• Background sentence – starts the illustrative part; there can be up to three of them.
• Research sentence – explains the idea in detail by quoting or paraphrasing pieces of evidence.
• Analysis – explains how it is related to your topic and thesis.
• Сonclusion/transition sentence – summarizes an idea and wraps up a paragraph

The conclusion should reiterate the idea from the statement, and usually, it does not feature any new information. Its purpose is to draw the final line by assembling all facts, ideas, etc. stated before. This is a short but important paragraph, the last impression on your work.

Creating an Illustration Essay Outline like a Pro

Topics define some structural nuances, as the number of examples, logical connections, etc. Nevertheless, you need to use this template if you face some difficulties with making an outline or have no ideas at the moment.

Paper topic: How to choose a college.

Introduction: The choice of college influences your future in many ways. You can invest in career success by choosing a place for education properly.

Paragraph I: Focus on your academic goals.

Example 1: It helps to come up with the shortlist of educational establishments.

Example 2: It is the first step to starting a successful career.

Paragraph II: Seek personal recommendations.

Example 1: Older mates who already study in college know about the pros and cons of their colleges.

Example 2: There are some insights only students and professors can share.

Paragraph III: Attend a college fair.

Example 1: Don’t rely on brochures and online rankings too much, there are too many versions of the truth.

Example 2: Feel atmosphere, emerge in experiences.

Conclusion: Choosing a college is not easy. You can avoid mistakes if you know what to focus on when making a list of all places you want to study at.

Read also: Good Exploratory Essay Topics for Choosing The Best One

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25 Great Illustration Essay Ideas That Will Get You An A+

Choosing a proper topic is your key to writing the best illustration essay. It should be something you are familiar with, interested in, bothered about. Timely and relevant topics make finding strong catchy evidence easier. Here are some ideas for consideration.

• Describe the challenges of a student throughout the educational process.
• How to keep in touch with your friends after you graduate / if you study abroad.
• Tell about specific college ritual that exists in your community.
• Ideas on how to plan the budget for students living on campus.
• Tell what you did to adjust to college environment.
• How to prepare for a baseball game. Challenges and struggles of a player.
• Describe rugby as the major sports game in the USA and its difference from other sports.
• Ideas on how to prepare for the first day in a sports team and the first game.
• What is it like to be a professional player in reserve?
• Learning to swim: a step-by-step guide.
• How to get a job in New York and prepare for an interview?
• An ordinary day of a waitress/accountant/marketing manager/janitor.
• Ideas on to turn your hobby into a money-making affair.
• How to choose a profession that is right for you?
• Should a person start working at school/college?

Communities

• Describe the impact gadgets have on children of the latest generation.
• Prove that climate change is real.
• Explain how an individual’s environment models their decision-making strategies.
• The effect of friendship on a person’s life.
• Ideas on society can help the homeless.

Academic life

• How procrastination affects the academic performance of American students.
• Importance of finding time for studying, sports, and leisure.
• Why students should question everything they are taught in the classroom.
• Ideas on how to stay motivated during the student years.
• Describe your professor’s education technique and methods that are the most effective.

Read also: 99+ Evaluation Paper Topics

Ask EduBirdie for Professional Essay Help to Save Your Time

Now you know what is an illustration essay and how to write it. Remember to find balance between the descriptive nature of this assignment and your personal opinion. Do not confuse illustration essay with other similar types. Unlike tasks on critical thinking, an illustration essay is about stating some facts. If compared to a descriptive paper, it requires thesis and conclusion with a strong personal point of view.

If some things are still difficult to figure out or you lack ideas, there is always an opportunity to ask for help at EduBirdie and order an essay. Our top-notch essay writers are ready for challenges. Just fill in an order form, give us your topic, specify the deadlines, and don’t worry about it anymore.

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Illustration

Writing for Success

Learning Objectives

• Determine the purpose and structure of the illustration essay.
• Understand how to write an illustration essay.

THE PURPOSE OF ILLUSTRATION IN WRITING

To illustrate means to show or demonstrate something clearly. An effective illustration essay clearly demonstrates and supports a point through the use of evidence.

The controlling idea of an essay is called a thesis. A writer can use different types of evidence to support his or her thesis. Using scientific studies, experts in a particular field, statistics, historical events, current events, analogies, and personal anecdotes are all ways in which a writer can illustrate a thesis. Ultimately, you want the evidence to help the reader “see” your point, as one would see a good illustration in a magazine or on a website. The stronger your evidence is, the more clearly the reader will consider your point.

Using evidence effectively can be challenging, though. The evidence you choose will usually depend on your subject and who your reader is (your audience). When writing an illustration essay, keep in mind the following:

• Use evidence that is appropriate to your topic as well as appropriate for your audience.
• Assess how much evidence you need to adequately explain your point depending on the complexity of the subject and the knowledge of your audience regarding that subject.

For example, if you were writing about a new communication software and your audience was a group of English-major undergrads, you might want to use an analogy or a personal story to illustrate how the software worked. You might also choose to add a few more pieces of evidence to make sure the audience understands your point. However, if you were writing about the same subject and you audience members were information technology (IT) specialists, you would likely use more technical evidence because they would be familiar with the subject.

Keeping in mind your subject in relation to your audience will increase your chances of effectively illustrating your point.

You never want to insult your readers’ intelligence by overexplaining concepts the audience members may already be familiar with, but it may be necessary to clearly articulate your point. When in doubt, add an extra example to illustrate your idea.

On a separate piece of paper, form a thesis based on each of the following three topics. Then list the types of evidence that would best explain your point for each of the two audiences.

• Topic: Combat and mental health Audience: family members of veterans, doctors
• Topic: Video games and teen violence Audience: parents, children
• Topic: Architecture and earthquakes Audience: engineers, local townspeople

THE STRUCTURE OF AN ILLUSTRATION ESSAY

The controlling idea, or thesis, belongs at the beginning of the essay. Evidence is then presented in the essay’s body paragraphs to support the thesis. You can start supporting your main point with your strongest evidence first, or you can start with evidence of lesser importance and have the essay build to increasingly stronger evidence. This type of organization—order of importance—you learned about in Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” and Chapter 9 “Writing Essays: From Start to Finish”.

The time transition words listed in Table 10.1 “Transition Words and Phrases for Expressing Time” are also helpful in ordering the presentation of evidence. Words like first, second, third, currently, next, and finally all help orient the reader and sequence evidence clearly. Because an illustration essay uses so many examples, it is also helpful to have a list of words and phrases to present each piece of evidence. Table 10.2 “Phrases of Illustration” provides a list of phrases for illustration.

Vary the phrases of illustration you use. Do not rely on just one. Variety in choice of words and phrasing is critical when trying to keep readers engaged in your writing and your ideas.

WRITING AT WORK

In the workplace, it is often helpful to keep the phrases of illustration in mind as a way to incorporate them whenever you can. Whether you are writing out directives that colleagues will have to follow or requesting a new product or service from another company, making a conscious effort to incorporate a phrase of illustration will force you to provide examples of what you mean.

On a separate sheet of paper, form a thesis based on one of the following topics. Then support that thesis with three pieces of evidence. Make sure to use a different phrase of illustration to introduce each piece of evidence you choose.

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your answers. Discuss which topic you like the best or would like to learn more about. Indicate which thesis statement you perceive as the most effective.

WRITING AN ILLUSTRATION ESSAY

First, decide on a topic that you feel interested in writing about. Then create an interesting introduction to engage the reader. The main point, or thesis, should be stated at the end of the introduction.

Gather evidence that is appropriate to both your subject and your audience. You can order the evidence in terms of importance, either from least important to most important or from most important to least important. Be sure to fully explain all of your examples using strong, clear supporting details. See Chapter 15 “Readings: Examples of Essays” to read a sample illustration essay.

On a separate sheet of paper, write a five-paragraph illustration essay. You can choose one of the topics from “Exercise 1” or “Exercise 2”, or you can choose your own.

Key Takeaways

•  An illustration essay clearly explains a main point using evidence.
• When choosing evidence, always gauge whether the evidence is appropriate for the subject as well as the audience.
• Organize the evidence in terms of importance, either from least important to most important or from most important to least important.
• Use time transitions to order evidence.
• Use phrases of illustration to call out examples.

Illustration Copyright © 2016 by Writing for Success is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Illustration/Example

Kirk Fontenot

Student Learning Outcomes

• Characterize the purpose of the illustration/example essay
• Determine the best structure for the illustration/example essay
• Compose an illustration/example essay

Introduction to Illustration/Example

To illustrate means to show or demonstrate something clearly. An effective illustration essay clearly demonstrates and supports a point using examples and evidence . Ultimately, you want the evidence to help the reader “see” your point, as one would see a good illustration in a magazine or on a website. The stronger your evidence is, the more clearly the reader will consider your point.

Illustration/example writing simply means using specific examples to illustrate your point. Every essay has a point called the thesis statement . The thesis statement is the point you’re trying to make, stated clearly in one sentence. The rest of the essay is all about proving that point using different types of evidence.

The key to illustration/example is to use specific examples. General statements don’t make much of an impact on our reader; in other words, they’re boring. No one wants to read a boring essay, so why would you want to write one?

When thinking of examples, don’t try to come up with examples that can apply to everyone and every situation; these are general (i.e., boring) examples. Instead, think of specific, personal, interesting, unique examples.

Here’s an example of general writing that we should avoid:

There’s nothing wrong with this writing grammatically, but it’s boring .

Compare this to more specific writing:

The second example is specific, personal, and more interesting. The writer names specific restaurants and specific foods.

Illustration/example is an important rhetorical mode because specific examples are always a great way to make an essay more interesting, no matter what the writing prompt. In fact, if a rough draft of an essay is ever too short, don’t ever add filler; instead, add specific examples to get to the right length.

To make an essay more interesting, we can add:

• Hypothetical examples that we make up
• Real-life specific examples from personal experience (when appropriate)
• Interesting examples that we read about

In this module, you will develop your skills in illustration/example writing.

The Purpose of Illustration in Writing

To illustrate means to show or demonstrate something clearly. An effective illustration essay, also known as an example essay, clearly demonstrates and supports a point through the use of evidence.

The controlling idea of an essay is called a thesis. A writer can use different types of evidence to support their thesis. Using scientific studies, experts in a particular field, statistics, historical events, current events, analogies, and personal anecdotes are all ways in which a writer can illustrate a thesis. Ultimately, you want the evidence to help the reader “see” your point, as one would see a good illustration in a magazine or on a website. The stronger your evidence is, the more clearly the reader will consider your point.

Using evidence effectively can be challenging, though. The evidence you choose will usually depend on your subject and who your reader is (your audience). When writing an illustration essay, keep in mind the following:

• Use evidence that is appropriate to your topic as well as appropriate for your audience.
• Ask yourself: How much evidence do you need to adequately explain your point? Consider how complex your subject is and how much background your audience may already have.

For example, if you were writing about a new communication software and your audience was a group of English major undergrads, you might want to use an analogy or a personal story to illustrate how the software worked. You might also choose to add a few more pieces of evidence to make sure the audience understands your point.

However, if you were writing about the same subject and your audience members were information technology (IT) specialists, you would likely use more technical evidence because they would be familiar with the subject.

Keeping your audience in mind will increase your chances of effectively illustrating your point.

The Structure of an Illustration Essay

The controlling idea, or thesis, belongs at the beginning of the essay. Evidence is then presented in the essay’s body paragraphs to support the thesis. You can start supporting your main point with your strongest evidence first, or you can start with evidence of lesser importance and have the essay build to increasingly stronger evidence. This type of organization is called “order of importance.”

Transition words are also helpful in ordering the presentation of evidence. Words like first , second , third , currently , next , and finally all help orient the reader and sequence evidence clearly. Because an illustration essay uses so many examples, it is also helpful to have a list of words and phrases to present each piece of evidence. Certain transitional words and phrases aid in keeping the reader oriented in the sequencing of a story. Some of these phrases are listed here:

Phrases of Illustration

case in point       for example

for instance         in particular

in this case          one example/another example

specifically to illustrate

Vary the phrases of illustration you use. Do not rely on just one. Variety in choice of words and phrasing is critical when trying to keep readers engaged in your writing and your ideas.

Writing an Illustration Essay

First, decide on a topic that you feel interested in writing about. Then create an interesting introduction to engage the reader. The main point, or thesis, should be stated at the end of the introduction.

Gather evidence that is appropriate to both your subject and your audience. You can order the evidence in terms of importance, either from least important to most important or from most important to least important. Be sure to fully explain all of your examples using strong, clear supporting details.

Professional Illustration/Example Writing

In “April & Paris,” writer David Sedaris explores the unique impact of animals on the human psyche. Click on the link to view the essay “April & Paris” by David Sedaris or read it below.

April & Paris by David Sedaris

While watching TV one recent evening, I stumbled upon a nature program devoted to the subject of making nature programs. The cameraman’s job was to catch a bird of paradise in full display, so he dug himself a hole, covered it with branches, and sat inside it for three weeks. This was in New Guinea, where the people used to wear sexy loincloths but now stand around in T-shirts reading “I survived the 2002 IPC Corporate Challenge Weekend.” A villager might wear a pair of gym shorts and then add a fanny pack or a sun visor with the name of a riverboat casino stitched onto the brim. I suppose that these things came from a relief organization. Either that or a cruise ship went down and this was what had washed up onshore.

I’ll wager that quite a few sun visors found their way to Southeast Asia after the tsunami. One brutal news story after another, and it went on for weeks. The phone numbers of aid organizations would skitter across the bottom of the TV screen, and I recall thinking that if they wanted serious donations they ought to show a puppy. People I know, people who had never before contributed to charity, emptied their pockets when a cocker spaniel was shown standing on a rooftop after Hurricane Katrina hit, eight months later. “What choice did I have?” they asked. “That poor little thing looked into the camera and penetrated my very soul.”

The eyes of the stranded grandmother, I noted, were not half as piercing. There she was, clinging to a chimney with her bra strap showing, and all anyone did was wonder if she had a dog. “I’d hate to think there’s a Scotty in her house, maybe trapped on the first floor. What’s the number of that canine-rescue agency?”

Saying that this was everyone’s reaction is, of course, an exaggeration. There were cat people, too, and those whose hearts went out to the abandoned reptiles. The sight of an iguana sailing down the street on top of a refrigerator sent a herpetologist friend over the edge. “She seems to be saying, ‘Where’s my master?'” he speculated. “‘Here it is, time for our daily cuddle and I’m stuck on the S.S. Whirlpool!!'”

I’ve often heard that anthropomorphizing an animal is the worst injustice you can do to it. That said, I’m as guilty of it as anyone. In childhood stories, the snail might grab her purse and dash out the door to put money in the meter. The rabbit cries when the blue jay makes fun of her buckteeth. The mouse loves his sister but not that way. They’re just like us! we think.

Certain nature shows only add to this misconception, but that, to me, is why they’re so addictive. Take “Growing Up Camel,” a program my friend Ronnie and I watched one evening. It was set in a small, privately owned zoo somewhere in Massachusetts. The camel in question was named Patsy, and the narrator reminded us several times that she had been born on Super Bowl Sunday. While still an infant (the football stadium probably not even cleared yet), she was taken from her mother. Now she was practically grown, and the narrator announced a reunion: “Today Patsy has reached what may be the biggest milestone in her life—moving back in with her mom.”

In the next segment, the two were reintroduced, and the grumpy old mother chased her daughter around the pen. When the opportunity arose, she bit Patsy on the backside, and pretty hard, it seemed to me. This was the camels not getting along and it wasn’t too terribly different from the way they acted when they did get along.

When the next break approached, the narrator hooked us with “When we continue, a heartbreaking event that will change Patsy’s life forever.”

I’d have put my money on an amputated leg, but it turned out to be nothing that dramatic. What happened was that the mother got bone cancer and died. The veterinarian took it hard, but Patsy didn’t seem to care one way or another, and why would she, really? All her mom ever did was browbeat her and steal her food, so wasn’t she better off on her own?

The zookeepers worried that if Patsy were left alone she would forget how to be a camel, and so they imported some company, a male named Josh and his girlfriend, Josie, who were shipped in from Texas. The final shot was of the three of them, standing in the sunshine and serenely ignoring one another. Ronnie cleared her throat and said, “So that’s what became of the little camel who was born on Super Bowl Sunday.” She turned on the light and looked me in the face. “Are you crying?”

I told her I had an ash in my eye.

“Growing Up Camel” had its merits, but I think I prefer the more serious kind of nature show, the kind that follows its subject through the wild. This could be a forest, a puddle, or a human intestinal tract, it makes no difference. Show me a tiger or show me a tapeworm, and I’ll watch with equal intensity. In this sort of program we see the creature’s world reduced to its basic components: food, safety, and reproduction. It’s a constant chain of desperation and heartache, the gist being that life is hard, and then it ends violently. I know I should watch these things with an air of detachment, but time and again I forget myself. The show will run its course, and afterward I’ll lie on the sofa, shattered by the death of a doda or a guib, one of those four-letter antelope-type things which are forever turning up in my crossword puzzles.

Apart from leaving me spent and depressed, such programs remind me that I am rarely, if ever, alone. If there’s not an insect killing time on the ceiling, there’s surely a mite staring out from the bath towel, or a parasite resting on the banks of my bloodstream. I’m reminded, too, that, however repellent, each of these creatures is fascinating, and worthy of a miniseries.

This was a lesson I learned a few summers back, in Normandy. I was at my desk one afternoon writing a letter when I heard a faint buzzing sound, like a tiny car switching into a higher gear. Curious, I went to the window, and there, in a web, I saw what looked like an angry raisin. It was a trapped fly, and as I bent forward to get a closer look a spider rushed forth, and carried it screaming to a little woven encampment situated between the wall and the window casing. It was like watching someone you hate getting mugged: three seconds of hardcore violence, and when it was over you just wanted it to happen again.

It’s hard to recall having no working knowledge of the Tegenaria duellica, but that’s what I was back then—a greenhorn with a third-rate field guide. All I knew was that this was a spider, a big one, the shape of an unshelled peanut. In color it ranged from russet to dark brown, the shades alternating to form a mottled pattern on the abdomen. I later learned that the Tegenaria can live for up to two years, and that this was an adult female. At that moment, though, as I stood at the window with my mouth hanging open, all I recognized was a profound sense of wonder.

How had I spent so much time in that house and never realized what was going on around me? If the Tegenaria barked or went after my food, I might have picked up on them earlier, but, as it was, they were as quiet and unobtrusive as Amish farmers. Outside mating season, they pretty much stayed put, a far cry from the Carolina wolf spiders I grew up with. Those had been hunters rather than trappers. Big shaggy things the size of a baby’s hand, they roamed the basement of my parents’ house, and evoked from my sisters the prolonged, spine-tingling screams called for in movies when the mummy invades the delicate lady’s dressing room. “Kill it!” they’d yell, and then I’d hear a half-dozen shoes hitting the linoleum, followed by a world atlas or maybe a piano stool—whatever was heavy and close at hand.

I was put off by the wolf spiders as well, but never thought that they were out to get me. For starters, they didn’t seem that organized. Then, too, I figured they had their own lives to lead. This was an attitude I picked up from my father, who squashed nothing that was not directly related to him. “You girls,” he’d say, and no matter how big the thing was he’d scoot it onto a newspaper and release it outside. Come bedtime, I’d knock on my sisters’ door and predict that the spider was now crawling to the top of the house, where he’d take a short breather before heading down the chimney. “I read in the encyclopedia that this particular breed is known for its tracking ability, and that once they’ve pegged their victims almost nothing will stop them. Anyway, good night.”

My sisters would have been horrified by the house in Normandy, as would most people, probably. Even before I joined the American Arachnological Society, the place looked haunted, cobwebs sagging like campaign bunting from the rafters and curtain rods. If one was in my way, I’d knock it down. But that all changed when I discovered that first Tegenaria—April, I called her. After writing her name on an index card and taping it to the wall, I found my interest spreading to her neighbors. The window they lived in was like a tenement building, one household atop another, on either side of the frame. Above April was Marty, and then Curtis and Paula. Across the way were Linda, Russell, Big Chief Tommy, and a sexless little speck of a thing I decided to call Leslie. And this was just one window.

Seeing as I’d already broken the No. 1 rule of a good nature documentary —not to give names to your subjects—I went ahead and broke the next one, which was not to get involved in their lives. “Manipulating,” my boyfriend, Hugh, would call it, but, to my mind, that was a bit too mad scientist. Manipulating is cross-breeding, or setting up death matches with centipedes. What I was doing was simply called feeding.

No Tegenaria, or at least none that I’ve observed, wants anything to do with a dead insect, even a freshly dead one. A spider’s food needs to be alive and struggling, and because our house was overrun, and I had some time on my hands, I decided to help out. In my opinion, the best place to catch flies is against a windowpane. Something about the glass seems to confuse them, and they get even dopier when you come at them with an open jar. Once one was in, I’d screw on the lid and act like I was shaking a cocktail. The little body would slam against the sides, and, as Hugh went progressively Gandhi on me, I’d remind him that these were pests, disease carriers who feasted upon the dead, and then came indoors to dance on our silverware. “I mean, come on,” I said. “You can’t feel sorry for everything.”

The Tegenaria build what I soon learned to call “horizontal sheet webs”—dense trampoline-like structures that are most often triangular, and range in size from that of a folded handkerchief to that of a placemat. Once my prey was good and woozy, I’d unscrew the lid, and tip the jar toward the waiting spider. The fly would drop, and, after lying still for a moment or two, it would begin to twitch and rouse itself, a cartoon drunk coming to after a long night. “What the fuck…?” I imagined it saying. Then it would notice the wings and foreheads of earlier victims. “I’ve got to get out of here.” A whisper of footsteps off in the distance, and just as the fly tasted futility, the monster was upon it.

“And cut!” I would yell.

Watching this spectacle became addictive, and so, in turn, did catching flies. There were days when I’d throw a good three dozen of them to their deaths—this at the expense of everything else I was supposed to be doing. As the spiders moved from healthy to obese, their feet tore holes in their webs. Running became a chore, and I think their legs started chafing. By this point, there was no denying my emotional attachment. There were nights that first summer when I’d get out of bed at 3 A.M. and wander into my office with a flashlight. Everyone would be wide-awake, but it was always April that I singled out. If I thought about her a hundred times a day, it seemed only fair that she thought about me as well. My name, my face: I didn’t expect these things to register, but, in the way that a body feels the warmth of the sun, I fully imagined that she sensed my presence, and missed it when I was away.

“That’s all right,” I’d tell her. “It’s only me.” Often, I’d take out my magnifying glass and stare into the chaos that was her face.

Most people would have found it grotesque, but when you’re in love nothing is so abstract or horrible that it can’t be thought of as cute. It slayed me that she had eight eyes, and that none of them seemed to do her any good. They were more like decoration, really, a splay of beads crowded above her chelicerae. These were what she used to grip her prey, and if you looked at her the right way you could see them as a pair of enormous buckteeth. This made her appear goofy rather than scary, though I’d never have said so in her presence. For a Tegenaria, she was quite attractive, and I was glad to see that Principal Hodges shared my view. He was a freshly molted adult male who travelled from the other side of the room and spent six days inside her inner sanctum. Why Marty or Curtis or Big Chief Tommy didn’t mate with April is a mystery, and I put it on a list beside other nagging questions, such as “What was Jesus like as a teen-ager?” and “Why is it you never see a baby squirrel?”

As the summer progressed, so did the mysteries. Spiders relocated, both male and female, and I started noticing a lot of spare parts—a forsaken leg or palp lying in a web that used to belong to Paula or Philip or the Right Reverend Karen. Someone new would move in, and, as soon as I tacked up a fresh name card, he or she would vacate without notice. What had once seemed like a fine neighborhood quickly became a dangerous one, the tenants all thuggish and transitory. Maybe April was more respected than anyone else in her window unit. Maybe her enemies knew that she was being watched, but, for whatever reason, she was one of the few Tegenaria that managed to stay put and survive. In mid-September, Hugh and I returned to the city and, at the last minute, I decided to buy a plastic terrarium and to take her with me. The “April in Paris” business didn’t occur to me until we were on the train, and I held her container against the window, saying, “Look, the Eiffel Tower!”

Funny the details that slip your notice until it’s too late. The fact, for instance, that we don’t really have flies in Paris, at least not in our apartment. Back in Normandy, catching prey had been a breeze. I could do it barefoot and in my pajamas, but now I was forced to go outside and lurk around the trash cans in the Luxembourg Gardens. Someone would toss in a disposable diaper and I’d stand a few feet from the bin, and wait for the scent to be picked up. Then there’d be the sneak attack, the clattering jar, the little spell of cursing and foot stomping. Had the flies been gathered on a windowpane, I would have enjoyed the last laugh, but out in the open, and with an audience of French people noting my every failure, my beautiful hobby became a chore.

I’d been telling myself for months that April needed me, though of course she didn’t. An adequate amount of prey stumbled into her web and she caught it quite capably on her own—in Normandy, anyway. Now, though, trapped inside a terrarium in a fourth-floor apartment, she honestly did need me, and the responsibility weighed a ton. Tegenaria can go without eating for three months, but whenever I returned home empty-handed I could feel her little spider judgement seeping from the plastic box. The face that had once seemed goofy was now haughty and expectant. “Hmm,” I imagined her saying. “I guess I had you figured all wrong.”

In early October, the weather turned cool. Then the rains came and, overnight, every fly in Paris packed up and left town. April hadn’t eaten in more than a week when, just by chance, I happened upon a pet store and learned that it sold live crickets, blunt little black ones that looked like bolts with legs. I bought a chirping boxful and felt very proud of myself until the next morning, when I learned something that no nature show ever told me: crickets stink. They reek. Rather than dirty diapers or spoiled meat—something definite you can put your finger on—they smell like an inclination: cruelty, maybe, or hatred.

No amount of incense or air freshener could diminish the stench. Any attempt only made it worse, and it was this more than anything that led me back to Normandy. April and I took the train in late October, and I released her into her old home. I guess I thought that she would move back in, but in our absence her web had fallen to ruin. One corner had come unmoored and its ragged, fly-speckled edge drooped like a filthy petticoat onto the window ledge. “I’m pretty sure it can be fixed,” I told her, but before I could elaborate, or even say goodbye, she took off running. And I never saw her again.

There have been other Tegenaria since then, a new population every summer, and though I still feed them and monitor their comings and goings, it’s with a growing but not unpleasant distance, an understanding that spiders, unlike mammals, do only what they’re supposed to do. Whatever drives the likes of April is private and severe, and my attempts to humanize it only moved me further from its majesty. I still can’t resist the fly catching, but in terms of naming and relocating I’ve backed off considerably, though Hugh would say not enough.

I suppose there’s a place in everyone’s heart that’s reserved for another species. My own is covered in cobwebs rather than dog or cat hair, and, because of this, people assume it doesn’t exist. It does, though, and I felt it ache when Katrina hit. The TV was on, the grandmother signalled from her rooftop, and I found myself wondering, with something akin to panic, if there were any spiders in her house.

Discussion Questions (Part I & Part II)

• What is the author’s primary thesis or theme? In other words, what is the point Sedaris is making?
• List some specific examples provided by the author to illustrate the point.
• Does the essay use “multiple” examples (a series of brief examples to illustrate or assert the thesis) or “extended” examples (longer examples explained through multiple sentences or paragraphs)?

This essay also connects back to the previous chapter on d efinition . Remember, definition is a rhetorical mode that explains or defines an unfamiliar term in such a way that your audience can gain a clearer understanding.

Go back to the essay and look for the term “anthropomorphizing.”

• Based on context clues, what does the term mean?
• How does the writer’s use of specific examples contribute to the definition?
• List examples of denotation (the literal meaning) and connotation (the feeling or attitude) of the term.

Student Illustration/Example Writing

Letter to the city.

To: Lakeview Department of Transportation

From: A Concerned Citizen

The intersection of Central Avenue and Lake Street is dangerous and demands immediate consideration for the installation of a controlling mechanism. I have lived in Lakeview my entire life, and during that time I have witnessed too many accidents and close calls at that intersection. I would like the Department of Transportation to answer this question: how many lives have to be lost on the corner of Central Avenue and Lake Street before a street light or stop sign is placed there?

Over the past twenty years, the population of Lakeview has increased dramatically. This population growth has put tremendous pressure on the city’s roadways, especially Central Avenue and its intersecting streets. At the intersection of Central Avenue and Lake Street it is easy to see how serious this problem is. For example, when I try to cross Central Avenue as a pedestrian, I frequently wait over ten minutes for the cars to clear, and even then I must rush to the median. I will then have to continue to wait until I can finally run to the other side of the street. On one hand, even as a physically fit adult, I can run only with significant effort and care. Expecting a senior citizen or a child to cross this street, on the other hand, is extremely dangerous and irresponsible. Does the city have any plans to do anything about this?

Recent data show that the intersection of Central Avenue and Lake Street has been especially dangerous. According to the city’s own statistics, three fatalities occurred at that intersection in the past year alone. Over the past five years, the intersection witnessed fourteen car accidents, five of which were fatal. These numbers officially qualify the intersection as the most fatal and dangerous in the entire state. It should go without saying that fatalities and accidents are not the clearest way of measuring the severity of this situation because for each accident that happens, countless other close calls never contribute to city data. I hope you will agree that these numbers alone are sufficient evidence that the intersection at Central Avenue and Lake Street is hazardous and demands immediate attention.

Nearly all accidents mentioned are caused by vehicles trying to cross Central Avenue while driving on Lake Street. I think the City of Lakeview should consider placing a traffic light there to control the traffic going both ways. While I do not have access to any resources or data that can show precisely how much a traffic light can improve the intersection, I think you will agree that a controlled busy intersection is much safer than an uncontrolled one. Therefore, at a minimum, the city must consider making the intersection a four-way stop.

Each day that goes by without attention to this issue is a lost opportunity to save lives and make the community a safer, more enjoyable place to live. Because the safety of citizens is the priority of every government, I can only expect that the Department of Transportation and the City of Lakeview will act on this matter immediately. For the safety and well-being of Lakeview citizens, please do not let bureaucracy or money impede this urgent project.

A Concerned Citizen

Discussion Questions

• What is the thesis of the essay? Where is it found?
• List one specific example that the writer cites to illustrate their point.
• Do the examples used in the essay successfully illustrate the point the writer is making?
• Point out (a) a personal example and (b) an example found through research in this essay.
• Describe a hypothetical example that you could add to the writer’s letter that would further illustrate the point.

Think back to a time when you won an argument by providing a specific example to prove your point. Use freewriting to describe that argument and the example you cited, then write a brief outline of an illustration/example essay. 

• Illustration
• Thesis statement
• Transition words
• An illustration essay clearly explains a main point using evidence.
• When choosing evidence, always gauge whether the evidence is appropriate for the subject as well as the audience.
• Organize the evidence in terms of importance, either from least important to most important or from most important to least important.
• Use time transitions to order evidence.
• Use phrases of illustration to call out examples.

Reflective Response

Now that you have read the chapter and written an illustration/example essay, describe ways in which using specific examples can be valuable in personal, academic, and professional writing. 

Additional Chapter Sources

“April and Paris” by David Sedaris appeared in the March 24, 2008, issue of The New Yorker . All rights reserved.

To show or demonstrate something clearly

An essay which clearly demonstrates and supports a point using examples and evidence

Available facts or information

The Thesis Statement expresses the overall point and main ideas that will be discussed in the body. It usually appears as the last sentence of the introduction and is usually one sentence.

Transition words and phrases are used to link together different ideas in your text.

The literal and explicit definition of a word

The feelings or attitudes that make up the extended definition of a word

Illustration/Example Copyright © 2022 by Kirk Fontenot is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

Illustration/Example Essay

Writing for success: illustration/example, learning objectives.

This section will help you determine the purpose and structure of illustration/ example in writing.

The Purpose of Illustration in Writing

To illustrate means to show or demonstrate something clearly. An effective illustration essay, also known as an example essay, clearly demonstrates and supports a point through the use of evidence.

The controlling idea of an essay is called a thesis. A writer can use different types of evidence to support his or her thesis. Using scientific studies, experts in a particular field, statistics, historical events, current events, analogies, and personal anecdotes are all ways in which a writer can illustrate a thesis. Ultimately, you want the evidence to help the reader “see” your point, as one would see a good illustration in a magazine or on a website. The stronger your evidence is, the more clearly the reader will consider your point.

Using evidence effectively can be challenging, though. The evidence you choose will usually depend on your subject and who your reader is (your audience). When writing an illustration essay, keep in mind the following:

• Use evidence that is appropriate to your topic as well as appropriate for your audience.
• Assess how much evidence you need to adequately explain your point depending on the complexity of the subject and the knowledge of your audience regarding that subject.

For example, if you were writing about a new communication software and your audience was a group of English-major undergrads, you might want to use an analogy or a personal story to illustrate how the software worked. You might also choose to add a few more pieces of evidence to make sure the audience understands your point. However, if you were writing about the same subject and you audience members were information technology (IT) specialists, you would likely use more technical evidence because they would be familiar with the subject.

Keeping in mind your subject in relation to your audience will increase your chances of effectively illustrating your point.

The Structure of an Illustration Essay

The controlling idea, or thesis, belongs at the beginning of the essay. Evidence is then presented in the essay’s body paragraphs to support the thesis. You can start supporting your main point with your strongest evidence first, or you can start with evidence of lesser importance and have the essay build to increasingly stronger evidence. This type of organization is called “order of importance.”

Transition words are also helpful in ordering the presentation of evidence. Words like first, second, third, currently, next, and finally all help orient the reader and sequence evidence clearly. Because an illustration essay uses so many examples, it is also helpful to have a list of words and phrases to present each piece of evidence. Certain  transitional words and phrases  aid in keeping the reader oriented in the sequencing of a story. Some of these phrases are listed here:

Phrases of Illustration

Vary the phrases of illustration you use. Do not rely on just one. Variety in choice of words and phrasing is critical when trying to keep readers engaged in your writing and your ideas.

Writing an Illustration Essay

First, decide on a topic that you feel interested in writing about. Then create an interesting introduction to engage the reader. The main point, or thesis, should be stated at the end of the introduction.

Gather evidence that is appropriate to both your subject and your audience. You can order the evidence in terms of importance, either from least important to most important or from most important to least important. Be sure to fully explain all of your examples using strong, clear supporting details.

Illustration/Example Essay Example

Letter to the City

By Scott McLean in Writing for Success

To: Lakeview Department of Transportation

From: A Concerned Citizen

The intersection of Central Avenue and Lake Street is dangerous and demands immediate consideration for the installation of a controlling mechanism. I have lived in Lakeview my entire life, and during that time I have witnessed too many accidents and close calls at that intersection. I would like the Department of Transportation to answer this question: how many lives have to be lost on the corner of Central Avenue and Lake Street before a street light or stop sign is placed there?

Over the past twenty years, the population of Lakeview has increased dramatically. This population growth has put tremendous pressure on the city’s roadways, especially Central Avenue and its intersecting streets. At the intersection of Central Avenue and Lake Street it is easy to see how serious this problem is. For example, when I try to cross Central Avenue as a pedestrian, I frequently wait over ten minutes for the cars to clear, and even then I must rush to the median. I will then have to continue to wait until I can finally run to the other side of the street. On one hand, even as a physically fit adult, I can run only with significant effort and care. Expecting a senior citizen or a child to cross this street, on the other hand, is extremely dangerous and irresponsible. Does the city have any plans to do anything about this?

Recent data show that the intersection of Central Avenue and Lake Street has been especially dangerous. According to the city’s own statistics, three fatalities occurred at that intersection in the past year alone. Over the past five years, the intersection witnessed fourteen car accidents, five of which were fatal. These numbers officially qualify the intersection as the most fatal and dangerous in the entire state. It should go without saying that fatalities and accidents are not the clearest way of measuring the severity of this situation because for each accident that happens, countless other close calls never contribute to city data. I hope you will agree that these numbers alone are sufficient evidence that the intersection at Central Avenue and Lake Street is hazardous and demands immediate attention.

Nearly all accidents mentioned are caused by vehicles trying to cross Central Avenue while driving on Lake Street. I think the City of Lakeview should consider placing a traffic light there to control the traffic going both ways. While I do not have access to any resources or data that can show precisely how much a traffic light can improve the intersection, I think you will agree that a controlled busy intersection is much safer than an uncontrolled one. Therefore, at a minimum, the city must consider making the intersection a four-way stop.

Each day that goes by without attention to this issue is a lost opportunity to save lives and make the community a safer, more enjoyable place to live. Because the safety of citizens is the priority of every government, I can only expect that the Department of Transportation and the City of Lakeview will act on this matter immediately. For the safety and well-being of Lakeview citizens, please do not let bureaucracy or money impede this urgent project.

A Concerned Citizen

Key Takeaways

• An illustration essay clearly explains a main point using evidence.
• When choosing evidence, always gauge whether the evidence is appropriate for the subject as well as the audience.
• Organize the evidence in terms of importance, either from least important to most important or from most important to least important.
• Use time transitions to order evidence.
• Use phrases of illustration to call out examples.
• Provided by : Lumen Learning. Located at : http://lumenlearning.com/ . License : CC BY: Attribution
• Successful Writing. Provided by : Anonymous. Located at : http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/successful-writing/s14-02-illustration.html . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• Letter to the City. Authored by : Scott McLean. Located at : http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/successful-writing/s19-03-illustration-essay.html . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

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10.2 Illustration

Learning objectives.

• Determine the purpose and structure of the illustration essay.
• Understand how to write an illustration essay.

The Purpose of Illustration in Writing

To illustrate means to show or demonstrate something clearly. An effective illustration essay clearly demonstrates and supports a point through the use of evidence.

As you learned in Chapter 9 “Writing Essays: From Start to Finish” , the controlling idea of an essay is called a thesis . A writer can use different types of evidence to support his or her thesis. Using scientific studies, experts in a particular field, statistics, historical events, current events, analogies, and personal anecdotes are all ways in which a writer can illustrate a thesis. Ultimately, you want the evidence to help the reader “see” your point, as one would see a good illustration in a magazine or on a website. The stronger your evidence is, the more clearly the reader will consider your point.

Using evidence effectively can be challenging, though. The evidence you choose will usually depend on your subject and who your reader is (your audience). When writing an illustration essay, keep in mind the following:

• Use evidence that is appropriate to your topic as well as appropriate for your audience.
• Assess how much evidence you need to adequately explain your point depending on the complexity of the subject and the knowledge of your audience regarding that subject.

For example, if you were writing about a new communication software and your audience was a group of English-major undergrads, you might want to use an analogy or a personal story to illustrate how the software worked. You might also choose to add a few more pieces of evidence to make sure the audience understands your point. However, if you were writing about the same subject and you audience members were information technology (IT) specialists, you would likely use more technical evidence because they would be familiar with the subject.

Keeping in mind your subject in relation to your audience will increase your chances of effectively illustrating your point.

You never want to insult your readers’ intelligence by overexplaining concepts the audience members may already be familiar with, but it may be necessary to clearly articulate your point. When in doubt, add an extra example to illustrate your idea.

On a separate piece of paper, form a thesis based on each of the following three topics. Then list the types of evidence that would best explain your point for each of the two audiences.

Topic: Combat and mental health

Audience: family members of veterans, doctors

Topic: Video games and teen violence

Audience: parents, children

Topic: Architecture and earthquakes

Audience: engineers, local townspeople

The Structure of an Illustration Essay

The controlling idea, or thesis, belongs at the beginning of the essay. Evidence is then presented in the essay’s body paragraphs to support the thesis. You can start supporting your main point with your strongest evidence first, or you can start with evidence of lesser importance and have the essay build to increasingly stronger evidence. This type of organization— order of importance —you learned about in Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” and Chapter 9 “Writing Essays: From Start to Finish” .

The time transition words listed in Table 10.1 “Transition Words and Phrases for Expressing Time” are also helpful in ordering the presentation of evidence. Words like first , second , third , currently , next , and finally all help orient the reader and sequence evidence clearly. Because an illustration essay uses so many examples, it is also helpful to have a list of words and phrases to present each piece of evidence. Table 10.2 “Phrases of Illustration” provides a list of phrases for illustration.

Table 10.2 Phrases of Illustration

Vary the phrases of illustration you use. Do not rely on just one. Variety in choice of words and phrasing is critical when trying to keep readers engaged in your writing and your ideas.

Writing at Work

In the workplace, it is often helpful to keep the phrases of illustration in mind as a way to incorporate them whenever you can. Whether you are writing out directives that colleagues will have to follow or requesting a new product or service from another company, making a conscious effort to incorporate a phrase of illustration will force you to provide examples of what you mean.

On a separate sheet of paper, form a thesis based on one of the following topics. Then support that thesis with three pieces of evidence. Make sure to use a different phrase of illustration to introduce each piece of evidence you choose.

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your answers. Discuss which topic you like the best or would like to learn more about. Indicate which thesis statement you perceive as the most effective.

Writing an Illustration Essay

First, decide on a topic that you feel interested in writing about. Then create an interesting introduction to engage the reader. The main point, or thesis, should be stated at the end of the introduction.

Gather evidence that is appropriate to both your subject and your audience. You can order the evidence in terms of importance, either from least important to most important or from most important to least important. Be sure to fully explain all of your examples using strong, clear supporting details. See Chapter 15 “Readings: Examples of Essays” to read a sample illustration essay.

On a separate sheet of paper, write a five-paragraph illustration essay. You can choose one of the topics from Note 10.23 “Exercise 1” or Note 10.27 “Exercise 2” , or you can choose your own.

Key Takeaways

• An illustration essay clearly explains a main point using evidence.
• When choosing evidence, always gauge whether the evidence is appropriate for the subject as well as the audience.
• Organize the evidence in terms of importance, either from least important to most important or from most important to least important.
• Use time transitions to order evidence.
• Use phrases of illustration to call out examples.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.