Illustrative essay. MLA format. Agree or disagree with this topic in an essay developed by using multiple and
extended examples. The examples should be a means of communicating an idea; not an end in themselves.
- Develop an enticing title.
- Use the introduction to pull the reader into your singular experience by introducing the problematic situation.
- Avoid addressing the assignment directly. (Don’t write, “I am going to write about my most significant
experience”—this takes the fun out of reading the work!) - Think of things said at the moment this experience started for you—perhaps use a quote, or an interesting
part of the experience that will grab the reader. - Let the essay reflect your own voice. (Is your voice serious? Humorous? Matter-of-fact?)
- Try to organize the essay in a way that may capture the reader by mixing multiple and extended examples,
but don’t string the reader along too much with “next, next, next.” - To avoid just telling what happens. SHOW your reader what happened describing vivid examples and
incorporating testimony. Make sure you take time to reflect on why this experience is significant.