Division-Classification Essays



Exemplification Essay Assignment:

WHAT IS GRIT AND WHAT BUILDS IT?

EXEMPLIFICATION MEANS TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES TO EXPLAIN A GENERAL IDEA. IN EXEMPLIFICATION ESSAYS, WRITERS PROVIDE BODY PARAGRAPHS WITH SPECIFIC EXAMPLES TO ILLUSTRATE OR CLARIFY THEIR THESIS STATEMENTS. SEE CHAPTER 7 IN YOUR TEXTBOOK FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EXEMPLIFICATION ESSAYS AND TO READ EXAMPLES OF THIS TYPE OF ESSAY PATTERN.

Essay Assignment

For this assignment, you will write an exemplification essay that provides specific examples to illustrate what is the personality trait referred to as “grit” and what builds it. Your essay must be at least five-paragraphs in length (that is, it must contain an introductory paragraph, at least three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph). See your course outline for specific due dates.

Use the following writing process to guide you through this essay assignment:

Step One: Think/Prewrite

Learn more about “grit” by watching the TED Talks presentation by Angela Lee Duckworth titled “The Key to Success? Grit” (you can go to and search “grit”). Take notes as you watch the video. Spend some time freewriting your answers to the following questions:

How do you define “grit” in your own words?

Why are “gritty” people more successful in the long run than people with less grit?

Who are some people you would refer to as “gritty” in this sense?

Do you consider yourself to be “gritty”?

What are some ways you have demonstrated grit in your own life?

How can people develop or build grit?

When you freewrite, you handwrite fast without worrying about correct grammar, spelling, or punctuation. You just want to record your thoughts and see where your mind takes you. When you are finished freewriting, read over what you have written and highlight any “gems” you could include and further develop in your essay.

Step Two: Draft your thesis

Write a preliminary thesis statement for your essay (it can always be revised later). Your thesis should mention the topic of this essay (“grit”) and the point you want to make about it.

Your thesis can either be a key word thesis (for example: Three of the most successful people I know have demonstrated a lot of grit. –or– There are a number of ways college students can build the personality trait grit and become more successful.) or a three-part thesis (for example: People who demonstrate a high level of grit are more successful in school, more successful in their careers, and enjoy more satisfying relationships.)

Write your own preliminary thesis statement in the space below:

|Thesis: |

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Step Three: Organize your ideas

Your thesis is the main point you want to make in your essay, so everything you include in your body paragraphs should somehow support/further explain your thesis. Your essay should have at least three body paragraphs and each body paragraph should begin with a general topic sentence. Complete the outline below with your thesis, topic sentences for each body paragraph and ideas for specific supporting details to help you stay organized. Since this is an exemplification essay, you should try to think of specific examples to include in each of your body paragraphs to illustrate your points. (Refer to sample.)

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|Outline |

|Thesis: |

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|Body Paragraph #1 Topic Sentence: |

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|Supporting details/specific examples |

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|Body Paragraph #2 Topic Sentence: |

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|Supporting details/specific examples |

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|Body Paragraph #3 Topic Sentence: |

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|Supporting details/specific examples |

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|Sample Outline |

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|Thesis: People who demonstrate a high level of grit are more successful in school, more successful in their careers, and enjoy more |

|satisfying relationships. |

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|Body Paragraph #1 Topic Sentence: First of all, some of the most successful students I know demonstrated a lot of grit. |

|My cousin Lauren (had three kids, worked two jobs, graduated with a 3.8 GPA) |

|My husband Matt served in the Navy Reserves and worked his way through Rutgers |

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|Body Paragraph #2 Topic Sentence: Grittier people also have more successful careers. |

|Hard work pays off in promotions and raises |

|My father worked for same company for 30 years and moved his way up the ladder |

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|Body Paragraph #3 Topic Sentence: In addition to more success in school and work, people who have more grit also enjoy more satisfying |

|relationships. |

|They don’t give up easily/will work through tough and stressful times. (Children, jobs, bills = stress) |

|Gritty people will support those around them. |

|Examples of people I know? |

Step Four: WRITE YOUR FIRST DRAFT

At this point, you should have all three elements for your essay: your thesis statement, three topic sentences for your body paragraphs, and the specific details needed to support each point. Now weave them all together into a five-paragraph essay.

Make sure that you refer to your outline often while drafting your essay. Also, use transition words and phrases to the best of your ability to help you tie your ideas together. Transition words and phrases like also, another, in addition, for example, for instance, such as and finally really help your essay to flow more smoothly and sound cohesive. Don’t forget to include a creative title and a concluding paragraph.

Be sure to consult the formatting examples in your syllabus and textbook to make sure you format your draft correctly.

Step Five: REVISE YOUR FIRST DRAFT

Take a break after you write your first draft before you start the revision step of the writing process. Some time away from your essay will give you “fresh eyes” for the revision process. When you are ready to revise, carefully read through your rough draft and ask yourself the questions on the self-assessment checklist on page 90. Also be sure to TEST your essay by considering the checklist on page 204.

Step Six: EDIT YOUR ESSAY

Proofread your essay several times to make sure that you have used correct spelling, punctuation and grammar. It is most helpful to proofread a printed copy of your essay. You can use the proofreading self-assessment checklist on pages 93-94 of your textbook to help you with this step.

Consult the schedule in your course syllabus for exact due dates:

Due Date for Rough Draft: _________________________________

Due Date for Final Draft: __________________________________

Need more help? Don’t be afraid to ask questions in class or during professor office hours.

Also, stop by the Academic Support Lab (Tillis, room 103) for extra one-on-one assistance.

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