Essay writing has many different forms. However, an exemplification essay is one of the most common forms of essay writing that most students will have to do throughout their academic journey.
An exemplification essay is a type of argumentative essay that requires specific examples and evidence to support one’s argument. An exemplification essay aims to make it clear and easy for the reader to understand what you are arguing by using specific details and examples.
To write a strong exemplification essay, it is important to choose relevant and informative examples. Additionally, it is essential to make sure that your examples are well-organized and clearly presented.
What’s the Difference Between an Argumentative Essay and an Exemplification Essay?
While both the argumentative and exemplification essays are designed to present a thesis and provide supporting evidence, there are some key differences between the two.
First of all, an argumentative essay tends to be more abstract than an exemplification essay, making it harder for readers to fully grasp what you’re saying without the proper examples.
Secondly, an argumentative essay is written in a negotiable tone, while an exemplification essay is written in a firm tone.
Furthermore, the topic for an exemplification essay should always have plenty of definable and concrete facts and terms that can back up the overall argument the writer is trying to make. However, an argumentative essay doesn’t need to have these same restrictive parameters; in fact, it can explore a wide range of topics so long as the main argument is well-supported by ideas, principles, or general information.
While both argumentative and exemplification essays are important pieces of writing, an exemplification essay is a more straightforward way to argue your point using specific evidence.
How to Write an Exemplification Essay
When it comes to the writing process for an exemplification essay, it’s important to remember that this particular essay style is all about providing specific examples to illustrate your point.
With that in mind, there are a few key steps that you can take to make sure your essay flows smoothly and effectively:
- Choose a topic that you feel comfortable writing about. It’s essential to pick a topic that is broad enough to find plenty of credible and concrete examples but narrow enough to limit what you are writing about.
Pro Tip: Make sure to look for specific evidence rather than generalities or assumptions. It’s easy to fall back on common phrases and rhetorical statements, but it is much more effective to use tangible facts directly related to your argument.
- Outline your essay before you start writing. This will help to ensure that your essay has a clear and logical structure. Additionally, by outlining your essay, you can ensure that all of your points are properly addressed and that your argument is easy to follow.
- Start with a strong introduction that grabs the reader’s attention and introduces your topic. Then, be sure to define any key terms the reader will need and end your introduction with a strong thesis.
Pro Tip: Don’t be vague in your exemplification essay thesis. Instead of saying, “Pollution is bad for the environment,” try saying, “The release of harmful chemicals into the environment is one of the major causes of water pollution. This essay will explore those specific chemicals and the impact they have already had to date.”
- Develop your body paragraphs by providing specific examples that support your thesis. Be sure to use clear and concise language, and make sure each example is directly related to your overall argument.
Pro Tip: Use one example per body paragraph. Generally, a basic exemplification essay will contain a minimum of 3 body paragraphs, but you may need more if your topic is particularly complex.
- Write a strong conclusion that reiterates your thesis and provides a final thought on the topic.
Pro Tip: Make sure your conclusion wraps up all of the loose ends in your essay and doesn’t introduce any new information or arguments.
By following these basic steps, you can create an exemplification essay that effectively argues your point using concrete evidence.
In addition to these key steps to writing an exemplification essay, you must also cite all of the sources used throughout the text. This will not only add credibility to your writing and research but allow others to fact-check your work if they want to look for more information on the topic.
120 Exemplification Essay Topics
If you have the writing skills but lack the creativity to come up with a detailed topic that has plenty of sources, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with this list of 120 exemplification essay topics perfect for any level of education.
Exemplification Essay Topics About Science
- The impact of climate change on the environment
- The dangers of nuclear radiation
- The benefits of space exploration
- The effects of pollution on the environment
- Genetic modification: Friend or foe?
- How computers have changed the world of science
- The potential benefits of genetic testing
- The pros and cons of mobile phones
- A balanced look at the arguments for and against animal testing
- Will robots ever be able to replace humans in the workplace?
- The ethics behind using human volunteers in scientific research
- How social media is changing the face of science
- Is there a place for genetically modified food in the future?
- The impact of climate change on human health
- The benefits and dangers of vaccinations
- How to make water filtration processes more effective
Exemplification Essay Topics About History
- The events that led to the American Revolution
- The Civil Rights Movement in the United States
- The fall of the Soviet Union
- The cause and effects of World War 1
- The consequences of the Industrial Revolution
- How social media is changing the way we view history
- How technology is changing the way we learn about history
- The impact of the Vietnam War on American society
- The Holocaust and its lasting effects
- Arguments for and against Christopher Columbus Day
- The impact of slavery on the development of America
- The role of women in history
- How the Internet is changing the way we learn about history
Exemplification Essay Topics About Medicine
- The dangers of smoking and secondhand smoke
- How to overcome addiction
- The benefits of exercise
- The impact of stress on the body
- How to stay healthy while traveling
- What you need to know about sunburns
- The most effective technique for treating a snakebite
- The importance of vaccinations
- The future of malaria in modern society
- The most effective way to treat a burn
- The benefits of mental health screenings
- Prevention versus treatment: How do they compare?
- How the spread of the Zika virus has changed the face of medicine
- The battle against cancer
- Antibiotic resistance and its impact on modern medicine
- Positives and negatives associated with hospital birth
- The most effective way to treat a fever
- The truth behind alternative medicine
- A balanced look at the effectiveness of homeopathy
- Is vaping e-liquid better than smoking cigarettes?
- Can psychedelics have a positive effect on human health?
Exemplification Essay Topics About Civics & Government
- Should the electoral college be dismantled?
- The benefits of blockchain technology for voting
- How modern technology is changing the role of government
- Why voting matters: The impact of elections on America’s future
- Arguments for and against stricter gun laws in America
- The pros and cons of the Affordable Care Act
- How social media is changing the way we communicate with our government
- What it means to be a patriot
- The role of the United Nations in world affairs
- Is America an imperialist nation?
- Should the military be used for humanitarian efforts?
- Can democracy truly exist in countries with repressive governments?
- What makes American democracy so special?
- Russia’s involvement in world affairs
- Russia and its foreign policy toward the United States
- How Russia is influencing America’s political future
- The role of feminism in modern society
- Is it time for a change to Canada’s election system?
- Modernization of the voting system in Canada
- How Brexit will impact the United Kingdom’s political future
- Is it time for a new economic model?
- What the world might look like after capitalism is replaced
- The impacts of globalization on national economies and governments
- The benefits of socialism as an economic model
- Why communism fails as an economic model
- The rise of populism in the Western world
- What factors led to Donald Trump’s election victory?
- The potential implications of a 2nd Trump presidency
- How will Brexit impact the European Union?
- The future of the European Union
- What are the most pressing issues facing the world today?
Exemplification Essay Topics About Fine Art
- The role of art in modern society is more important than ever before
- Impact of the Internet on the arts
- How different cultures view beauty differently
- What does it mean to create art?
- Can people without artistic talent create art?
- Are the arts important for children’s development?
- Is there a difference between high art and pop culture?
- The importance of the arts in education
- How art can be used to express emotions
- Why art is important for self-expression
- What makes something “fine” art?
- Art and its impact on religion
- Should more money be spent on arts education in public schools?
- What makes a successful artist?
- What is the biggest challenge artists face in today’s society?
Exemplification Essay Topics About English & Literature
- What makes a great literary work?
- Is Romeo and Juliet still relevant today?
- The role of literature in modern society
- Why fiction novels are important in the world of literature
- How much impact does the writer’s background have on their writing?
- How important is education as an influence on writers?
- Can you be too educated to be a writer?
- How important is cultural identity and heritage when writing?
- Criticisms of modern literature in the Western world
- Why is there such a lack of literary diversity?
- The positive impacts of reading on the mind and body
- How to become a better reader
- What makes a successful author?
- How does censorship affect modern literature?
- Is the censorship of some literary works better for society?
- How do we decide what is worth censoring and what is not?
- Arguments for and against censorship
- How can parents protect their children from harmful media?
- What are the most pressing issues facing the world today, as seen through literature?
Exemplification Essay Topics About Education
- All student loans should be forgiven
- Higher education should be free for all students
- The purpose of higher learning should be to train students for jobs
- Is it cost-effective to pursue higher education?
- The benefits of homeschooling
All 120 exemplification essay topics on this list are broad and can be easily adapted to fit any essay prompt. Feel free to use any of these topics as a starting point for your own exemplification essay or as inspiration to develop a unique topic of your own. The most important thing is to choose a topic that you are interested in and feel passionate about writing about.
