Guide to English Writing

Examples
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EXAMPLES
Examples are used in all essay types to support an argument or a point made. They should be 
concrete, that is, real and specific, not abstract and vague, and they must be relevant to the 
context of the essay and especially the paragraph they are in.
It is very important to note that examples can be personal, they can come from related fields 
(education examples for an education topic), or even unrelated fields as long as the light they 
shed on the argument/point is clear. Test takers should keep in mind that examples must 
appear real and true but do not necessarily have to be so. For example, you may reference 
research that doesn’t exist, or the results of surveys that were never presented to anyone. The 
key is to present the ideas in these “examples” in a way that supports the point made and that 
has a sense of authority (i.e., it “sounds” believable, realistic).
Don’t forget to introduce your example:
For example, for instance, to illustrate, in fact, this is idea is supported by, take _____ as an 
example; etc.
Scientific examples:
R
a c ud
u
o
conduc d
n d
d oo d n o
a d 
 
found, concluded, backed up, supported, reinforced the idea that…, etc.
R
a c
oc o o
n u
c nti
T ac
o
Doc o
a ac
o an ation c oo c
ati tic
nu
 
c n a
 
 
 
 
c
ou ti
o
o a a
many, etc.
Research conducted by Harvard University’s Faculty of Education found that students who 
spend at least one hour doing homework every day are three times more likely than their peers 
to have above-average grades.
Recent studies released by the Ministry of Labour found that graduates with strong writing skills 
were able to secure employment within six months of leaving school, whereas those whose 
writing skills were poor often had to return to school to improve this aspect of their skillset.
This idea is supported by scientific polls in which participants were asked whether they would 
be willing to complete their studies abroad if this meant a better chance of finding a good job 
after graduation; over 85% of respondents said they would. 
Sociologists at the University of California at Berkeley who had studied the effects of bullying 
on young children found that as many as 280 students per 1000 had experienced some form 
of abuse during their academic careers, and as many as 30 were emotionally scarred by the 
experience.
In fact, a Cambridge University study on student behavior, conducted by the Behavioral Sciences 
Department, concluded that students who wore uniforms at school were more likely to be 
organized and conform to set standards upon entering the workplace; on the other hand, those 
who were free to dress as they pleased were found to be more innovative and open to risk-
taking. 
(Note: None of the examples above are true. The schools named in these examples may or may not have conducted 
the research cited. These examples are presented to illustrate ways to present supporting evidence in your essays.)
@IELTS_Council

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