Writing with Examples

1
Writing with Examples

• One way to prove your point
• is with examples!

2
What is an example paragraph?

• An example paragraph explains its topic sentence
  with one or more specific examples.
• Examples both develop the topic fast and they
  help to hold the readers attention on the topic.
• Without clear examples, it can be quite difficult
  to understand a general statement.

Whats he looking for?
3
Can you identify specific examples?

• In each list, which item is the most specific
  example?
• Car, Honda, Civic, Transportation
• Dalton State College, University System of
  Georgia, State Colleges, Higher Education
• Footwear, Boots, Birkenstock London Sandals,
  Cowboy Boots
• Eateries, Olive Garden, Fast Food, Restaurants

Which holiday means more?
4
You can identify specific examples

• In each list, the highlighted item is the
  specific example
• Car, Honda, Civic, Transportation
• Dalton State College, University System of
  Georgia, State Colleges, Higher Education
• Footwear, Boots, Birkenstock London Sandals,
  Cowboy Boots
• Eateries, Olive Garden, Fast Food, Restaurants

5
A topic to develop with examples

• Topic Solar power
• Controlling idea
• Developing solar power
• Topic sentence Semiconductor companies are
  rushing into the solar power business faster than
  a Pentium-driven computer, promising to turn a
  niche form of renewable energy into a mass-market
  product.
• Examples See next page

What are these panels called and how do they work?
6
Can you identify fitting examples?

• ? Is the IBM example below relevant to the topic
  sentence?
• IBM unveiled last month a concentrated
  photovoltaic system that magnifies sunlight to 10
  times the energy, cutting the number of solar
  panels needed. IBM announced also a new
  technique for thin-film solar using 1 of the
  semiconductor in standard panels to cut costs and
  boost efficiency.

• Topic sentence Semiconductor companies are
  rushing into the solar power business faster than
  a Pentium-driven computer, promising to turn a
  niche form of renewable energy into a mass-market
  product.

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Yes, the example is on the topic

• ? That IBM is developing solar energy systems
  fits with the topic sentence.
• IBM unveiled last month a concentrated
  photovoltaic system that magnifies sunlight to 10
  times the energy, cutting the number of solar
  panels needed. IBM announced also a new
  technique for thin-film solar using 1 of the
  semiconductor in standard panels to cut costs and
  boost efficiency.

• Topic sentence Semiconductor companies are
  rushing into the solar power business faster than
  a Pentium-driven computer, promising to turn a
  niche form of renewable energy into a mass-market
  product.

8
Can you identify fitting examples?

• ? Is this example on the topic?
• In addition to bringing the Fiesta small car from
  Europe, Ford is digging deeper into its overseas
  vehicle portfolio where fuel economy has long
  been a requirement for new offerings in the
  U.S. These will include a new Mercury small car
  and another, yet-undisclosed European entry into
  the U.S. by 2010.

• Topic sentence Semiconductor companies are
  rushing into the solar power business faster than
  a Pentium-driven computer, promising to turn a
  niche form of renewable energy into a mass-market
  product.

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No, the example is off the topic

• ? No, this example is about cars, not solar
  power!
• In addition to bringing the Fiesta small car from
  Europe, Ford is digging deeper into its overseas
  vehicle portfolio where fuel economy has long
  been a requirement for new offerings in the
  U.S. These will include a new Mercury small car
  and another, yet-undisclosed European entry into
  the U.S. by 2010.

• Topic sentence Semiconductor companies are
  rushing into the solar power business faster than
  a Pentium-driven computer, promising to turn a
  niche form of renewable energy into a mass-market
  product.

10
Can identify fitting examples?

• Is the example below relevant to the topic
  sentence?
• National Semiconductor, the chip giant, last
  month said its new technology can boost energy
  output in solar panels by minimizing losses from
  shade.
• It drew from its expertise in power management
  in cellphones.
• Executive Ralph Muenster wants to make passive
  solar systems "smarter."

• Topic sentence Semiconductor companies are
  rushing into the solar power business faster than
  a Pentium-driven computer, promising to turn a
  niche form of renewable energy into a mass-market
  product.

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You can identify fitting examples

• Yes, the example below is relevant to the topic
  sentence
• National Semiconductor, the chip giant, last
  month said its new technology can boost energy
  output in solar panels by minimizing losses from
  shade.
• It drew from its expertise in power management
  in cellphones.
• Executive Ralph Muenster wants to make passive
  solar systems "smarter."

• Topic sentence Semiconductor companies are
  rushing into the solar power business faster than
  a Pentium-driven computer, promising to turn a
  niche form of renewable energy into a mass-market
  product.

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Can you introduce examples?

• Which transitions introduce examples?
• __1. for example
• __2. for instance
• __3. moreover
• __4. to illustrate
• __5. in fact
• __6. specifically
• __7. furthermore
• __8. actually
• __9. a case in point is

Is this an example of overpriced medicine?
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You can introduce examples

• These transitions introduce examples
• _x_1. for example
• _x_2. for instance
• ___3. moreover
• _x_4. to illustrate
• ___5. in fact
• _x_6. specifically
• ___7. furthermore
• ___8. actually
• _x_9. a case in point is

Does the cook have examples to support his idea?
14
Can you identify paragraph parts?

• (a) Pickup trucks and SUVs are not worth what
  they were a few months ago. (b) Expensive gas is
  hurting the sales of large vehicles. (c) For
  instance, the trade-in value of a 2006 Chevrolet
  Tahoe, recently a top seller, has fallen 30 or
  6,000 in four months. (d) Wholesale prices for
  used, full-size SUVs and pickups have dropped
  about 3,000 or 25. (e) However, the fall in
  price for some individual models is much greater
  than the average.

• Can you match paragraph parts?
• Topic sentence
• Specific example
• Statistical fact
• Explanation
• Concession

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You can identify paragraph parts

• Topic Sentence Pickup trucks and SUVs arent
  worth what they were a few months ago.
• Explanation Expensive gas is hurting the sales
  of
• large vehicles.
• Specific Example For instance, the trade-in value
  of a 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe, recently a top
  seller, has fallen 30 or 6,000 in four
  months.
• Statistical Fact Wholesale prices for used,
  full-size SUVs and pickups have dropped
  about 3,000 or 25.
• Concession However, the fall in price for some
  individual models is much greater than the
  average.

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Can you identify paragraph parts?

• a. Suddenly, it seems like we're getting hit from
  all directions.
• b. Energy and food prices are soaring. The
  housing market collapses. Government revenue is
  falling, and taxes are rising. Airlines are
  jacking up fares and fees while reducing service.
  Banks are pulling credit lines. Auto companies
  are cutting production.
• c. Fundamentally, all these changes are part of
  the global economy purging itself of imbalances
  that allowed Americans to think we were richer
  than we really were.

• Can you match paragraph parts?
• Topic sentence
• Specific example
• Statistical fact
• Explanation
• Concession

17
You can identify paragraph parts

• Topic Sentence Suddenly, it seems like we're
  getting hit from all directions.
• Specific Examples Energy and food prices are
  soaring. The housing market collapses.
  Government revenue is falling, and taxes
  are rising. Airlines are jacking up fares and
  fees while reducing service. Banks are pulling
  credit lines. Auto companies are cutting
  production.
• Explanation Fundamentally, all these changes
  are part of the global economy purging
  itself of imbalances that allowed Americans
  to think we were richer than we really were.
• .

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Can you identify paragraph parts?

• Rising food prices are bringing another group to
  food pantries struggling college students.
• A lot of students just can't afford to eat,"
  said Terry Capleton, starter a Facebook group
  called "I Ain't Afraid to be on Food Stamps."
• Some students are working their way through
  college with grants, loans and part-time jobs.
• Deirdre Wilson, a college junior in Florence,
  S.C., applied for food stamps in November because
  her paycheck from a work-study job didn't cover
  her expanding grocery bill.

• Can you match paragraph parts?
• Topic sentence
• Specific example
• Statistical fact
• Explanation
• Concession

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You can identify paragraph parts

• Topic Sentence Rising food prices are bringing
  another group to food pantries
  struggling college students.
• Explanation 1 A lot of students just can't
  afford to eat," said Terry Capleton, starter
  a Facebook group called "I Ain't Afraid to
  be on Food Stamps."
• Explanation 2 Some students are working their
  way through college with grants, loans and
  part-time jobs.
• Specific Example Deirdre Wilson, a college junior
  in Florence, S.C., applied for food stamps
  because her paycheck from a work-study job
  didn't cover her expanding grocery bill.

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Application of Example Writing

• An example paragraph explains its topic sentence
  with one or more specific examples.
• Without examples, it can be quite difficult to
  understand a general statement.
• The example must relate to the topic sentence.

• These transitions introduce examples
• _x_1. for example
• _x_2. for instance
• ___3. moreover
• _x_4. to illustrate
• ___5. in fact
• _x_6. specifically
• ___7. furthermore
• ___8. actually
• _x_9. a case in point is

Write a one-page paper stating how you get by
when things cost more. Give plenty of examples
to illustrate your point.