Day 296: Make your examples obvious, if needed.

Broad topics, big concepts, and major ideas present a problem. The reader may have difficulty understanding what they mean in practical terms. To overcome this problem, you can present an example or analogy that shows the reader how the concept etc. is implemented, what effects it has, or what can be observed to support it.

Illustrations and examples helps, but they also create a potential trap for the writer. If the reader doesn’t know you are providing an example, he or she may conclude that the idea only applies to the illustration.

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Let’s say you are writing about how increased rainfall can slow plant growth, and to illustrate this idea you state that a particular type of cactus stops growing during rainy seasons. Your reader may conclude that rainfall only affects that particular cactus.

The strategy for avoiding this trap is simple, though you have to think carefully about using it. You can clearly state that you are providing an example, using such words and phrases as for example, one such case, consider, and an illustration of this is. When reading these, the reader will know that the example you are about to provide is only an example, not the complete application of the concept.

On the other hand, repetitive use of these clues can lead to tedious reading and limit the impact you are trying to create. As such, you may choose not to use them. You have to make a judgment call here.

If you think there is a possibility that the reader will misunderstand, use them. If you are sure the reader will not reach a false conclusion, i.e., will know that the example is only an example, leave them out.