This document provides instruction on how to write an illustration paragraph. It defines illustration as using specific examples to support a general point. It outlines the steps to writing an illustration paragraph, including prewriting, planning, drafting, and revising. It includes examples of how to generate topic sentences and supporting details. It also provides practice questions to help understand the concepts of writing an illustration paragraph.

1. Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.

2. CHAPTER 2: ILLUSTRATION
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3. CHAPTER OUTLINE AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES
In this chapter, you will learn to:
 distinguish between general statements and
specific details, and
 write an illustration paragraph containing a
clear topic sentence and sufficient supporting
details.
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.

4. WHAT IS AN ILLUSTRATION?
 Illustration uses specific examples to support a
general point.
 Typically, you use illustration when you want to
support a point by providing a specific example.
 Hints for Writing an Illustration Paragraph
 Knowing what is specific and what is general.
A general point is a broad point.
You can support a general statement with
specific examples.
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5. WRITING THE ILLUSTRATION PARAGRAPH IN STEPS
 PrewritingIllustration—how to generate and
develop ideas for your illustration paragraph
 Planning Illustration—how to organize your ideas
for your illustration paragraph
 Drafting and Revising Illustration—how to create,
revise, and edit rough drafts of your illustration
paragraph
 Proofreading Illustration—how to proofread and
make one final check of your illustration
paragraph
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6. PREWRITING ILLUSTRATION
 Freewrite, brainstorm, or write in a journal to generate
ideas for your illustration paragraph
 Add Details to an Idea
 List ideas connected to the topic.
 Create a Topic Sentence
 Look for related ideas to help create your topic
sentence
 Grouping the ideas into three categories can help
you focus your ideas.
 Summarize the related ideas in a topic sentence.
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7. PLANNING ILLUSTRATION
 Outline for an Illustration Paragraph
 When you plan your outline, keep the topic
sentence in mind.
 Add details.
 Eliminate details that are repetitive.
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8. DRAFTING AND REVISING ILLUSTRATION
 Use the outline to create a first draft in paragraph
form
 Checklist for Revising an Illustration Paragraph
 Transitions
 Words, phrases, or sentences that connect one
idea to another
 INFO BOX: Transitions for an Illustration Paragraph
 Revising
 Revise by combining sentences, adding details, and
adding transitions
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9. PROOFREADING ILLUSTRATION
 Look for errors in spelling, punctuation, typing, and formatting.
 Lines of Detail: A Walk-Through Assignment
 Topics for Writing an Illustration Paragraph
 Topics for Critical Thinking and Writing
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10. CRITICAL THINKING AND THE WRITING PROCESS
 Lines of Detail: A Walk-Through Assignment
 Write an illustration paragraph about music.
 Freewrite or brainstorm.
 Review your freewriting or brainstorming.
 List all the specific ideas.
 Add related ideas to your narrowed topic.
 Write a topic sentence.
 Write a first draft.
 Revise and edit the first draft.
 Prepare the final version.
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.

11. CRITICAL THINKING AND THE WRITING PROCESS
 Lines of Detail: A Walk-Through Assignment
 Write an illustration paragraph about music.
 Freewrite or brainstorm.
 Review your freewriting or brainstorming.
 List all the specific ideas.
 Add related ideas to your narrowed topic.
 Write a topic sentence.
 Write a first draft.
 Revise and edit the first draft.
 Prepare the final version.
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.

12. CRITICAL THINKING AND THE WRITING PROCESS
 Topics for Writing an Illustration Paragraph
 Topics for Critical Thinking and Writing
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.

13. WHAT IS ILLUSTRATION?
A. Explains how to do something.
B. Tells a story.
C. Shows a reader what a person, place, thing, or situation is
like.
D. Uses specific examples to support a general point.
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.

14. WHAT IS ILLUSTRATION?
A. Explains how to do something.
B. Tells a story.
C. Shows a reader what a person, place, thing, or situation is like.
D. Uses specific examples to support a general point.
write an illustration paragraph containing a clear
topic sentence and sufficient supporting details.
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.

15. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A COMMON
TRANSITION FOR AN ILLUSTRATION PARAGRAPH?
A. Such as
B. One instance
C. Suddenly
D. To illustrate
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16. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A COMMON
TRANSITION FOR AN ILLUSTRATION PARAGRAPH?
A. Such as
B. One instance
C. Suddenly
D. To illustrate
write an illustration paragraph containing
a clear topic sentence and sufficient
supporting details.
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.

17. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXAMPLE OF A
GENERAL STATEMENT?
A. Traffic can be horrible.
B. During rush hour, cars are lined up bumper to
bumper.
C. An accident can back up traffic for miles.
D. If a car breaks down, traffic will be congested in
that area.
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.

18. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXAMPLE OF A
GENERAL STATEMENT?
A. Traffic can be horrible.
B. During rush hour, cars are lined up bumper to
bumper.
C. An accident can back up traffic for miles.
D. If a car breaks down, traffic will be congested in
that area.
distinguish between general statements
and specific details.
Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.