This lesson focuses on the crucial skill of using examples as supporting details in writing.

It
emphasizes that good examples are specific, relevant, provide new information, and help to make
your main point (the controlling idea) clear and convincing. Let's break down the key concepts:
1. The Importance of Supporting Details
The lesson begins by stating that effective examples are specific, and they relate clearly to the
paragraph's controlling idea. This is the core message. Without strong supporting details, your writing
can feel vague and unconvincing.
2. Effective Examples
The lesson provides an example to illustrate effective supporting sentences:
 Topic sentence: My mother is a good neighbor. (Here, "mother" is the topic, and "is a good
neighbor" is the controlling idea – the main point the paragraph will explain.)
 Effective supporting sentences:
o She always invites people from our neighborhood over for dinner. (This is a specific
action that shows how she is a good neighbor.)
o Every year she hosts a back-to-school party for the children on our block. (This is
another specific, concrete example of her neighborly behavior.)
Notice how these supporting sentences offer new information and directly demonstrate the controlling
idea. They paint a picture of her being a good neighbor through her actions.
3. Ineffective Examples
In contrast, the lesson shows examples of weak supporting sentences:
 Topic sentence (same as above): My mother is a good neighbor.
 Ineffective supporting sentences:
o She enjoys gardening. (This is a specific detail, but it's not clearly related to the idea of
her being a good neighbor. While it might be a nice quality, it doesn't directly support the
claim.)
o She is a wonderful person to live by. (This restates the controlling idea using different
words. It doesn't provide any new, specific evidence of why she is a wonderful person to
live by.)
These ineffective examples highlight the pitfalls to avoid: introducing irrelevant details or simply
repeating the main point without offering proof.
4. Introducing Examples: "For example" and "For instance"
The lesson points out common phrases used to signal the introduction of an example:
 For example,
 For instance,
It also emphasizes that these phrases are usually followed by a comma.
 Example: He likes to stay in shape. For example, he runs six miles every day before work.
(The example of running six miles specifically illustrates how he stays in shape.)
5. Using a Semicolon to Connect a General Sentence with a Specific Example
The lesson introduces another way to link a general statement with a specific example using a
semicolon:
 Our teacher is entertaining; for instance, sometimes he uses comic strips to teach
grammar.
Here, the general statement ("Our teacher is entertaining") is followed by a semicolon and then a
specific instance that proves this point ("sometimes he uses comic strips to teach grammar"). The
phrase "for instance" further clarifies that what follows is an example.
In essence, this lesson teaches you that to write effectively, you need to:
 Have a clear controlling idea for your paragraph.
 Support that idea with specific and relevant examples.
 Ensure your examples provide new information and don't just repeat your main point.
 Use signal phrases like "for example" or "for instance" (followed by a comma) to
introduce your examples clearly.
 Consider using a semicolon followed by a signal phrase to connect a general statement
with a specific supporting example.
1. To become a good writer, a student should write often.
 a. For example, she should try to write every day because writing is important.
o Check? No.

o Explanation: While it mentions writing every day, it doesn't provide a specific example
of what the student should write. Saying "writing is important" just restates part of the
topic sentence, not a concrete action.
 b. For example, she should keep a journal and write in it every evening before bed.
o Check? Yes.

o Explanation: This provides a specific example of a writing activity (keeping a journal)

and a specific time (every evening before bed). This clearly illustrates how a student
can write often.
 c. For example, she can use a computer.
o Check? No.

o Explanation: Using a computer is a tool for writing, but it's not a specific example of
what the student should write. It doesn't directly address the idea of writing often.
2. Living in the city is challenging in many ways.
 a. City dwellers usually pay a lot of money to live in a small apartment.
o Check? Yes.

o Explanation: This is a specific challenge of city living – the high cost of housing for
limited space. It provides a concrete example of one way city life is challenging.
 b. It is difficult to live in a city because of the lifestyle in cities.
o Check? No.

o Explanation: This is too general and doesn't provide a specific challenge. "The lifestyle
in cities" is vague and doesn't give a concrete reason why it's difficult.
 c. People who live in the city have to breathe polluted air.
o Check? Yes.

o Explanation: This is a specific negative aspect and challenge of living in many cities –
air pollution. It's a concrete example of a difficulty.
3. My sister is easy to tease.
 a. For instance, many people like to joke with her.
o Check? No.

o Explanation: While it suggests she's someone people joke with, it doesn't give a
specific example of why she's easy to tease or a particular instance of teasing.
 b. For instance, I often tell her that I am getting married, and she always believes me.
o Check? Yes.

o Explanation: This is a specific example of a teasing action and her predictable reaction
(believing it), illustrating why she is easy to tease.
 c. For instance, she has a cheerful personality, and she does not get angry when I make
jokes about her hair styles.
o Check? Yes.

o Explanation: This provides a specific example of a type of joke (about her hairstyles)
and her reaction (not getting angry), showing why she is easy to tease (she doesn't
mind).
4. This school offers a lot of opportunities to students.
 a. There are many clubs and organizations for students to join.
o Check? Yes.

o Explanation: "Clubs and organizations" are specific examples of opportunities available

to students.
  b. The school tries to help students.
o Check? No.

o Explanation: This is a general statement about the school's intention, not a specific
example of an opportunity.
 c. The school has a career counseling center that offers advice and workshops for
students.
o Check? Yes.

o Explanation: A "career counseling center offering advice and workshops" is a specific

type of opportunity available to students.
5. The world is becoming a more connected place.
 a. For instance, it is easy to see that many things are changing in the world.
o Check? No.

o Explanation: This is a very general statement about change, not a specific example of
how the world is becoming more connected.
 b. For instance, new forms of communication make it easy for people from different
countries to work together on projects.
o Check? Yes.

o Explanation: "New forms of communication" and "people from different countries

working together on projects" are specific examples of how the world is becoming more
connected.
 c. For instance, international travel for business has increased over the years.
o Check? Yes.

o Explanation: "Increased international travel for business" is a specific way the world is
becoming more connected through increased interaction and movement of people for
work.
In summary, effective specific examples provide concrete details, actions, or instances that
clearly illustrate and support the topic sentence's controlling idea. They avoid vague
statements or simply restating the main point.
1. I have a very patient cat. For instance, she never gives up.
 Underlined Example: she never gives up
 Revised Example: For instance, she can sit, unmoving, in front of a mouse hole for hours,
patiently waiting.
2. My doctor is a caring person. For example, he is very nice to patients.
 Underlined Example: he is very nice to patients
  Revised Example: For example, he always takes the time to listen carefully to my concerns
and explains my treatment options thoroughly.
3. The neighbors in my apartment building are noisy. For example, I can't sleep at night
because they make a lot of noise.
 Underlined Example: they make a lot of noise
 Revised Example: For example, last night, their loud music and laughter continued past
midnight, making it impossible for me to fall asleep.
4. My friend has a great sense of humor. For example, she always makes me laugh.
 Underlined Example: she always makes me laugh
 Revised Example: For example, she has a knack for telling hilarious stories about everyday
situations that always leave me in stitches.
5. My nephew is naughty. For instance, he is always getting into trouble.
 Underlined Example: he is always getting into trouble
 Revised Example: For instance, just yesterday, he drew colorful pictures all over the living
room walls with permanent markers.
6. My friend is very athletic. For example, she can play many sports.
 Underlined Example: she can play many sports
 Revised Example: For example, she excels in several sports, including basketball, swimming,
and she recently ran a marathon.
7. My mother is a talented potter. For instance, she makes pottery.
 Underlined Example: she makes pottery
 Revised Example: For instance, she creates beautiful and intricate ceramic vases and bowls
with unique glazes and designs.
8. The center is a green building. For example, it uses green energy.
 Underlined Example: it uses green energy
 Revised Example: For example, the center utilizes solar panels on its roof to generate
electricity and has a rainwater harvesting system for its landscaping.