What is an illustrative sentence?

Introduction
	An illustrative sentence will help you
	clarify the meaning of a lexeme use a word in the correct grammatical context, and gain insight into the culture and literary style of the language.

Definition
	An illustrative sentence is an example that clarifies the usage of a particular sense of a lexeme.

Discussion

A good illustrative sentence meets the following criteria:

It clarifies the meaning of the lexeme.
- It illustrates the meaning as defined in the sense.
- It contains characteristic elements that reinforce and constrain the meaning, such as
  - attribute
  - behavior or action
  - usage
  - position or location, and
  - material composition.
  See:
  How to test an illustrative sentence for specificificity
It is easy to understand.
- It is simple in construction (up to about 10 words).
- It is clear in its references.
It is accurate.
- It is accurate in grammar.
- It is consistent.
- It is accurate in its information about the culture.
- It is true to the value system of the culture.
It is practical.
- It is useable by a language learner in daily life.

Useful sources
	Literary publications written by respected speakers of the local language that are traditional, but not archaic (unless you are illustrating an archaic word or a specific style), or in the modern vernacular Texts of stories and conversations Elicited material that a language associate has obtained or provided

Source
	Bartholomew and Schoenhals 1983 60–62

Concept module: illustrative sentence
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): I
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004