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Learn how specific examples turn a good essay into a great one that admissions readers remember.
For thousands of years, the best speakers and writers have known a secret: people remember stories and specific details far better than they remember general statements. Think about it — which is more interesting: "I like dogs" or "Last summer, my golden retriever Max dragged a whole pizza off the counter and hid under the porch to eat it"?
On the ISEE essay, admissions officers read hundreds of responses. Your essay isn't scored by ERB, but it is sent directly to the schools you're applying to. Using strong examples is the fastest way to stand out and show the real you.
The big question is: how do you choose the right examples, and how do you weave them into your essay so they feel natural? That's exactly what this lesson will teach you.
Not all examples are created equal. A great example does three things: it's specific, it's relevant, and it's personal. Let's break down the four key principles.
The diagram below shows how a strong body paragraph is built. Notice how the topic sentence (your main idea) sits at the top. Then a specific example supports it, and finally a reflection sentence ties it all together. This is sometimes called the T.E.R. pattern: Topic, Example, Reflection.
As you can see, the Example section takes up the most space. This is on purpose! Many students make the mistake of writing a short, vague example and then moving on. On the ISEE, you want to spend most of your paragraph on vivid, specific details that bring your story to life.
ISEE prompts are usually personal and reflective. They might ask about a lesson you learned, a person who influenced you, or something you enjoy. Before brainstorming examples, circle the key words in the prompt. These words tell you what kind of example you need.
Spend about two minutes jotting down quick ideas. Don't worry about full sentences yet — just key phrases. Then pick the one that you can describe most vividly and that best answers the prompt.
Once you pick your example, ask yourself: What did I see? What did I hear? What did I feel? These sensory details (details that appeal to your five senses) are what transform a boring example into a memorable one.
After sharing your example, always write one or two sentences that connect it back to the prompt. Use phrases like: "This experience taught me that…", "Looking back, I realize…", or "Because of this, I now understand…" This is the reflection step, and it shows maturity of thought — something admissions teams love to see.
The difference between "telling" and "showing" is one of the most important skills you can learn for the ISEE essay. Telling means stating a fact without evidence. Showing means using a specific example or detail that lets the reader experience it themselves. Let's compare.
Let's walk through building a strong body paragraph step by step. Imagine the ISEE prompt is: "Describe a time when you tried something new. What did you learn from the experience?"
Now that you know what a strong example looks like, let's compare strong and weak examples side by side. This table will help you spot common mistakes and avoid them on test day.
| Feature | Weak Example | Strong Example |
|---|---|---|
| Detail Level | "I helped people and it was fun." | "I helped an elderly man carry his groceries to his car in the rain." |
| Connection to Prompt | Example is off-topic or loosely related. | Example directly answers the prompt question. |
| Emotions / Senses | "I felt happy." (no sensory detail) | "A grin spread across my face as the crowd cheered." |
| Personal Voice | Sounds generic — could be anyone's story. | Feels unique — includes names, places, specific moments. |
| Reflection | No "so what?" moment. Example just ends. | Ends with what you learned or how you grew. |
Once you know how to write strong examples, the next skill is connecting them smoothly. Transitions are words and phrases that guide your reader from one idea to the next. Without them, your essay can feel choppy — like jumping between TV channels.
| Purpose | Transition Words/Phrases |
|---|---|
| Adding another example | In addition, Furthermore, Another reason, Similarly |
| Showing a result | As a result, Because of this, This taught me, Consequently |
| Showing contrast | However, On the other hand, Even though, Despite this |
| Showing time order | First, Then, Later that day, After a few weeks, Eventually |
| Wrapping up | Overall, Looking back, In the end, This experience showed me |
On the ISEE, you'll typically write 2–3 body paragraphs. Each one should start with a transition phrase that signals to the reader where you're heading next. This makes your writing feel organized and mature — exactly what admissions teams look for.
Now it's your turn! The following practice activities will help you build your skills. Remember: on the real ISEE, you'll have 30 minutes, so practicing now will make test day feel much easier.
Supporting your ideas with examples is the single most powerful skill for the ISEE essay. Remember the T.E.R. pattern: start each body paragraph with a Topic sentence, develop it with a specific Example full of sensory details, and close with a Reflection that explains why it matters. Always show rather than tell — use details that only you could know to make your essay authentic and memorable.
On test day, spend 2–3 minutes brainstorming and outlining before you write. Use transition phrases to connect your paragraphs smoothly, and save 2–3 minutes at the end for proofreading. Your essay is sent directly to the schools you apply to, so it's your chance to show admissions readers the real, interesting, thoughtful you. Strong examples are how you do it!