2. Illustrations are used to support an idea or belief. Readers won't believe something just because you say it's so. It's your job to give the reader good evidence that what you say is true. Your illustrations constitute that evidence.

3. Assertion is not illustration. You might assert in lengthy, flowery terms that your roommate is a slob, but until you tell us about the smelly underwear under your bed, you haven't illustrated the point.

4. Good illustrations reveal where, when, how, why, and under what circumstances. Depending on your illustration, all of these considerations may not be necessary. But some of them probably will be. Make sure your readers know everything they need to know in order to understand your illustration.

5. A good illustration represents the norm. Truth really is stranger than fiction. All kinds of oddities occur. A sweet tempered person can have a meltdown. A rocket scientist can make an addition mistake. Just because something is true doesn't mean it's a good example. Ask yourself: Does this example represent the norm or an aberration from the norm?

6. Use appropriate transitions. Words and phrases like "for example," "for instance," "similarly," "also," "in addition," are useful. The better you are at using transitions, the easier it is for the reader to follow you from example to example.

7. Don't forget what we've learned so far. Expository methods, remember, are used in isolation. To write a good illustration paper, you will likely find yourself using narrative and descriptive elements. That's fine, but use them well.