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Exemplification is a mode of symbolization characterized by the relation between a sample and what it refers to.

Description

Unlike ostension, which is the act of showing or pointing to a sample, exemplification is possession of a property plus reference to its label (Goodman, 1976). For example, if a colour sample has the property labelled 'green', then the colour sample exemplifies green. Basically, possession of a property amounts to being referred to by its label.

Samples

While the label 'green' refers to any green thing, only things that are used as samples, such as the green swatches in a paint shop´s booklet, exemplify it. Furthermore, exemplification is selective: a sample does not exemplify all of its properties (size, shape, aesthetic value etc.) but only those for which it is a symbol.

A mode of reference

Reference is the relation between something "standing for" something else. Usually it goes in one direction, for example, from a word to what it designates. But it is also used in both directions, for example, when product samples stand for certain properties they possess. While the label 'green' refers to a certain property of a product sample, the sample refers to the same property by exemplifying it. Therefore, exemplification is a mode of reference.

Uses of exemplification

Product samples exemplify certain properties they possess.

As a part in ostensive definition, i.e. definition by exemplification of what is defined. For example, an artist can define a new style by showing works that exemplify it.

Defined exemplification is a pattern of essay development that uses specific instances (examples) to clarify a point, to add interest, or to persuade (Clouse, 2006).

References

Goodman, Nelson, 1976, Languages of Art: An Approach to a Theory of Symbols. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, pp 52-57.

Clouse, Barbara, 2006, Patterns for a Purpose: McGraw Hill Publishing Company, pg G-2

External links

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Goodman's aesthetics by Alessandro Giovannelli.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Exemplification''' is a mode of symbolization characterized by the relation between a sample and what it refers to. For example, if a colour sample has the property labelled 'green', then the colour sample exemplifies green. Basically, possession of a property amounts to ''being referred to'' by its label. Unlike [[ostension]], which is the act of showing or pointing to a sample, or defining its label, exemplification is possession plus reference to a label (Goodman, 1976).
+'''Exemplification''' is a mode of symbolization characterized by the relation between a sample and what it refers to.
-== A mode of reference ==
+== Description ==
+Unlike [[ostension]], which is the act of showing or pointing to a sample, exemplification is possession of a property plus reference to its label (Goodman, 1976). For example, if a colour sample has the property labelled 'green', then the colour sample exemplifies green. Basically, possession of a property amounts to ''being referred to'' by its label.
+=== Samples ===
+While the label 'green' refers to any green thing, only things that are used as samples, such as the green swatches in a paint shop´s booklet, exemplify it. Furthermore, exemplification is selective: a sample does not exemplify all of its properties (size, shape, aesthetic value etc.) but only those for which it is a symbol.
+=== A mode of reference ===
 [[Reference]] is the relation between something "standing for" something else. Usually it goes in one direction, for example, from a word to what it designates. But it is also used in both directions, for example, when product samples stand for certain properties they possess. While the label 'green' refers to a certain property of a product sample, the sample refers to the same property by exemplifying it. Therefore, exemplification is a mode of reference.
@@ Line 7: / Line 15: @@
 == Uses of exemplification ==
-*Product samples are used for exemplifying certain properties they possess.
+*Product samples exemplify certain properties they possess.
-*As part of [[ostensive definition]] (definition by exemplification of what is defined). For example, an artist can define a new style by pointing to samples of works that exemplify it.
+*As a part in [[ostensive definition]], i.e. definition by exemplification of what is defined. For example, an artist can define a new style by showing works that exemplify it.
 *Defined exemplification is a pattern of essay development that uses specific instances (examples) to clarify a point, to add interest, or to persuade (Clouse, 2006).