Examplewise

Examplewise is a term used in information design to describe a method of structuring content around concrete examples rather than abstract topics. In an examplewise system, pages or sections are organized by representative cases, scenarios, or demonstrations, with cross-links that connect similar examples across domains.

The term is formed by combining "example" with the adverbial suffix "-wise," indicating manner or method. In this context, examplewise design emphasizes example-driven explanation and learning, using particular instances as anchors for understanding.

The concept emerged in educational technology and documentation design discussions in the 2010s, with practitioners proposing example-first layouts and example-driven narratives to improve transfer and retention.

Key features include example-centric navigation that allows users to jump between related cases. Content is tagged by domain, difficulty, and outcome to enable filtering. The system supports multimedia demonstrations, such as code samples, diagrams, and walkthroughs. Provenance and versioning track contributor identity and revisions for each example.

It is used in technical documentation to illustrate API usage through concrete calls, in education to teach concepts with real-world scenarios, and in knowledge bases to help users diagnose problems by matching symptoms to example cases.

It complements topic-based approaches and can be combined with traditional indexes or search to provide hybrid navigation. Without careful curation, an overemphasis on examples can skew coverage or create cognitive load. Maintaining consistency across examples also requires governance.