The key to providing good visual
examples is to make sure that the essential
characteristics of the type or category are
evident, while also displaying some of the
distinctive, individual traits that differentiate
the object from other objects of the same
type.
For instance, a mask that clearly shows
eye and nose holes but that also has a distinctive
shape or color will help learners see that
it belongs to the class, "masks," while at
the same time appreciating that it is just
one of many possible masks.
It may be useful
to show non-examples, too, but be sure they
are clearly marked as non-examples. We tend
to remember the visual itself without remembering
that it was a non-example.