What is Argument by example?

An argument by example is an argument in which a claim is supported by providing examples. Most conclusions drawn in surveys and carefullycontrolled experiments are arguments by example andgeneralization. Studies that analyze past speeches also draw conclusions by taking specific examples of communication and inferring generalizations from them.

Arguments from example may be difficult to recognize because they can look like mere illustration. For example:

Though the above paragraph contains a common conclusion indicator word , it nevertheless is merely illustrating a fact of taxonomy. However, this could be made into an argument.

In this case, the writer is trying to persuade the reader of the utility of taxonomy.