Minutes a day n e w y o r k

S p e c i f i c   E x a m p l e s
Specific examples comprise the broadest category of evidence. Such an example offers something tangible to the
reader; it is a person, place, or thing that exemplifies your idea. Let’s examine the following statement:
Movies often portray the American suburb as a place of false happiness and hidden misery. But this is an unfair and
inaccurate depiction.
This thesis has two ideas that need support: the portrayal of the American suburb as a place of false happiness and
hidden misery, and that this depiction is unfair and inaccurate. You could cite films such as American Beauty and
The Ice Storm as specific examples.
But examples can’t simply be mentioned. To support your thesis, you’ll need to demonstrate that both films
portray the American suburb in precisely this negative way. You could begin this demonstration with a summary
of the plot (remember, you shouldn’t assume that a general reader has the same knowledge as you), and then offer
the following specific examples as evidence:
■
the Burnhams’ home and neighborhood
■
Mrs. Burnham’s obsession with appearance
■
the breakdown of the Burnhams’ marriage
■
Mr. Burnham’s rebellion against the status quo
■
Jane Burnham’s hatred of her parents
■
Mrs. Fitts’ comatose state
Specific examples like these provide concrete evidence of your assertions. They make your claim “real” for your
reader.

F a c t s
The next form of support must be differentiated from opinion.
A fact is:
something known for certain to have happened
something known for certain to be true
something known for certain to exist