Department of English
Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University
Examples
Paragraph
The illustration (examples) paragraph is useful when we want to explain or clarify something, such as an object, a person, a concept, or a situation. When we illustrate, we show how something is as we point out. When we illustrate with examples, we give instances that show or prove to the readers so they can see for themselves how something is as we claim it to be.
You will notice, then, that illustration paragraphs often answer questions that ask what, how, in what way—questions that need or ask for explanation, examples, cases, and details to illustrate how something is true.
Sample
Illustration Topics
Sample Published Illustration Paragraphs
Paragraph 1:
Zimmer, Carl. A Planet of Viruses.
Scientists' research has revealed that viruses are by far the most abundant life forms on Earth. There are a million times more viruses on the planet than stars in the universe. Viruses also harbor the majority of genetic diversity on Earth. Scientists are finding evidence of viruses as a planetary force, influencing the global climate and geochemical cycles. They have also profoundly shaped the evolution of their hosts. The human genome, for example, contains 100,000 segments of virus DNA. |
Sample Illustration Paragraphs
Responding to the question: Where are piedmont mountains found?
Piedmont, or mountain, glaciers are found in many parts of the world. In North America they are distributed along the mountain ranges of the Pacific Coast from central California northward. They abound in the Andes range in South America and are familiar and greatly admired spectacles in the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Caucasus Mountains and the mountains of Scandanavia. Rivers of ice flow down the valleys of various Asian mountain ranges, including the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush, and the Karakoram and Kunlun ranges. They are also a feature of the Southern Alps of New Zealand and are found in the lofty mountains of New Guinea. The largest piedmont glaciers are the Malaspina and Bering glaciers, both in Alaska. |
Responding to the question: How does high population density
affect the behavior of mice?
When mice are kept at high population densities, their behaviour changes in a number of ways. Aggressive activity within populations of mice rises as density increases. Cannibalism of young also goes up, and so does aberrant sexual activity. Communal nesting, frequent in natural mouse populations, increases abnormally. In one example, 58 mice one to three days old (from several litters) were found in one nest, most unusual communal living. None survived because most of the mothers deserted them immediately after birth. |
Paragraph 3:
Responding to the topic: favorite childhood games
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Paragraph 4:
Responding to the topic: favorite childhood toys
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Further Reading
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Last
updated August 31, 2016