write a report focusing on examples.
1.skillRead to learn the structure of an example essay.
This unit contains a feature report, or feature story, on female bosses in the workplace. Features usually focus on particular people, places and events. They cover topics in depth, going further than news articles because they are not meant to report the latest breaking news but rather an in-depth look at a subject. A good feature requires many specific and lively examples, obtained from background research, interviews and observations. In Text A, the author has included many vivid examples to effectively show the readers various images of female bosses: their working styles, their relationships with male and female employees, and their frustrations coming from subtle resistance. In fact, being able to write good examples helps us to become a competent writer. So, in this unit, you will learn how to write an example essay.
In an example essay, you support your point by illustrating it with examples. How many examples you use in an example essay depends on the topic. Some topics require numerous examples, as in Text A; others can be effectively developed with three or four extended examples. For instance, the thesis statement "San Francisco has some of the most unusual sights in California" does not require numerous examples, so three or four examples would be enough. Also, the examples you use to develop the thesis statement should be representative – fairly support your thesis. In Text A, the author uses the examples of Monica, Nicole, Susan, Deborah, and Nina to support the main points.
To make examples specific and impressive, you need to use descriptive words and direct speeches, just like how Text A does. In addition, to achieve coherence in your example essay, you need to pay attention to the order of examples and proper use of transitions. The examples in an example essay can be organized according to time, familiarity and importance, just as the organization of the details in an expository essay. Meanwhile, body paragraphs in an example essay must be connected so that they can flow smoothly. In other words, the shift from one example to the next shouldn't be abrupt so that the reader understands clearly the progression of thought.
Transitions to introduce examples include:
One example of … is …
First, consider …
To begin with, …
Another example of … is …
An additional example is …
Second / Next, consider …
Still another example of … is …
Third / Finally, consider …
The most significant example of … is …
2. Read the sample essay and see how it develops with examples.
Topic: Gender barriers |
Introduction: Thesis statement: Female managers today are still facing many challenges, especially gender barriers. |
Body: Example 1: A double standard of the behavior of men and women Example 2: A stereotyped "bimbo" title for women |
Conclusion: Female managers can be made to feel more insecure at work because of gender barriers. |
Sample essay
Throughout history, women have been hard workers who place high value on achievement. They often judge their personal worth based upon their accomplishments rather than how much money they make. At the management level, women are also considered better managers than men because of their unique working styles. However, female managers today are still facing many challenges, especially gender barriers.
To begin with, a double standard occurs when the behaviors of men and women are labeled. Like it or not, we still have some notions of what is an acceptable female behavior. Those women who work extra hard, make no allowances for failure, and don't believe in weaknesses are considered cold-hearted. When a woman shows strength of character in a meeting, for instance, she may be seen as "aggressive" whereas her male counterpart is seen as "assertive".
An additional example of gender barriers for women in the workplace is the "bimbo" title, which is used to describe a woman who got her position by playing a game of her female tricks. For this kind of women, they are pretty but not necessarily intelligent. So, the general concept is that women are incompetent and that they remain in the position only by means of their charm on the male bosses. But it could all be just a matter of our own perceptions of what's normal for a man and a woman.
To conclude, female managers can be made to feel more insecure at work because of gender barriers. They have to face a double standard of the behavior of men and women; they also worry about some negative stereotypes of women.
3. writing practice
