Write an Illustration Essay

Write your own illustration essay on one of the following topics or on a topic of your own choice. Use ILLUSTRATION AT A GLANCE as a basic organizer (“Organization in Illustration”), and follow the Writing Guide: Illustration checklist as you write and revise.

COLLEGE
  • Discuss some of the activities, services, and programs offered on your campus.
  • Write about what you expect to get out of college.
WORK
  • Tell someone applying for a job like yours what his or her typical responsibilities might be.
  • Demonstrate to an interviewer the following statement: “I am a detail-oriented employee.”
EVERYDAY LIFE
  • Write a letter to your landlord about how your apartment’s maintenance needs to be done more regularly.
  • Name the most influential person in your life, and give examples of his or her characteristics.

WRITING GUIDE: ILLUSTRATION

STEPS IN ILLUSTRATION HOW TO DO THE STEPS
Focus.
  • Think about your topic and what your audience knows about it.
Explore your topic. See Chapter 2.
  • Prewrite to give examples of your topic.
Write a thesis statement. image See Chapter 3.
  • Write a working thesis that includes your topic and main point about it. You might also include some examples you will give in your support paragraphs.
Support your thesis. See Chapter 3.
  • Choose at least three examples that demonstrate your main point.
  • Consider what details about the examples your reader needs to know.
Write a draft. See Chapter 4.
  • Arrange your examples in order of importance or time.
  • Write topic sentences for each major example.
  • Write a paragraph for each example, giving details about the examples.
Revise your draft. See Chapter 4.
  • Make sure that your examples and details all relate to your main point.
  • Add transitions.
  • Improve your introduction, thesis, and conclusion.
Edit your revised draft. See Chapters 16 through 18.
  • Correct errors in grammar, spelling, word use, and punctuation.
Evaluate your writing.
  • Does it have the Four Basics of Good Illustration? (see “Understand What Illustration Is”)
  • Is this the best I can do?