Illustrative Sentence

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.

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