Illustration/Example Essay
Everyone has basic beliefs that determine how we act or judge others. For example, when I'm driving behind someone and they switch lanes or turn without using his or her turn signal, I am annoyed and my belief is reinforced that everyone should use a blinker when turning or changing lanes. In another instance, I see other drivers acting in ways that I deem discourteous. After time, I may conclude that drivers in Sheridan are discourteous. This is a judgment I have formed based on my observations. If I were to write an essay on this judgment, then I would need to prove my point by showing examples that have brought me to that conclusion. This would be called an illustration essay, which is a type of reflective essay. To write a reflective essay, you need to explore your beliefs or biases. This week's discussion allows you to do this by answer the following questions: What beliefs (other than religious) do you have that you formed based on your observations and/or experiences? Answer this question in the discussion board. A list of topics is provided for you for this assignment. In the future, you will be allowed to choose your own topic, but until then, please stick to the provided list.
The purpose of this essay is to share your thinking with others and explain what you believe to be "true." To do this, you need to use examples to prove your points. Examples need to be very specific (i.e. particular events, places, people, etc.). Think of it as painting a picture for your reader, and not just telling about your experiences or reasons. In the professional writing world, we say: "'show'," don't "'tell.'" The essay example provided demonstrates how to do this by using sensory details included.
Sensory details use all of the senses to describe something (smell and sound in addition to sight). Think about how dull the essay would be without these sensory details. Use your own senses in your essay in addition to specific details such as names, places, dates, specific events, etc. to prove your point.
Another way to think of this essay is as an argument essay without research. You are arguing toward a solution to a problem or you are arguing about why you think something is true.
Chapter 18 goes into greater detail about a reflective essay and provides an example. Below is more explanation about organizing body paragraphs for the essay.
A general outline for the body paragraphs could look like this: