{"id":2412,"date":"2020-06-11T19:55:46","date_gmt":"2020-06-11T19:55:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/?post_type=chapter&p=2412"},"modified":"2020-07-01T20:07:47","modified_gmt":"2020-07-01T20:07:47","slug":"using-evidence-in-an-argument","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/chapter\/using-evidence-in-an-argument\/","title":{"raw":"Incorporating Evidence in an Argument","rendered":"Incorporating Evidence in an Argument"},"content":{"raw":"

Q. Does evidence speak for itself?<\/h2>\r\nA. Absolutely not. After you introduce evidence into your writing, you must say why and how this evidence supports your argument.<\/em> <\/span><\/strong>In other words, you have to explain the significance of the evidence and its function in your paper. What turns a fact or piece of information into evidence is the connection it has with a larger claim or argument: evidence is always evidence for or against something, and you have to make that link clear<\/strong><\/em><\/span>.\r\n\r\nAs writers, we sometimes assume that our readers already know what we are talking about; we may be wary of elaborating too much because we think the point is obvious. But readers can\u2019t read our minds: although they may be familiar with many of the ideas we are discussing, they don\u2019t know what we are trying to do with those ideas unless we indicate it through explanations, organization, transitions, and so forth. Try to spell out the connections that you were making in your mind when you chose your evidence, decided where to place it in your paper, and drew conclusions based on it. Remember, you can always cut prose from your paper later if you decide that you are stating the obvious.\r\n

Here are some questions you can ask yourself about a particular bit of evidence:<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. OK, I\u2019ve just stated this point, but so what? Why is it interesting? Why should anyone care?<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
  2. What does this information imply?<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
  3. What are the consequences of thinking this way or looking at a problem this way?<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
  4. I\u2019ve just described what something is like or how I see it, but why is it like that?<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
  5. I\u2019ve just said that something happens\u2014so how does it happen? How does it come to be the way it is?<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
  6. Why is this information important? Why does it matter?<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
  7. How is this idea related to my thesis? What connections exist between them? Does it support my thesis? If so, how does it do that?<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
  8. Can I give an example to illustrate this point?<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nAnswering these questions may help you explain how your evidence is related to your overall argument.\r\n

    How can I incorporate evidence into my paper?<\/h2>\r\nThere are many ways to present your evidence. Often, your evidence will be included as text in the body of your paper, as a quotation, paraphrase, or summary. Sometimes you might include graphs, charts, or tables; excerpts from an interview; or photographs or illustrations with accompanying captions.\r\n

    Quotations<\/h2>\r\nWhen you quote, you are reproducing another writer\u2019s words exactly as they appear on the page.\u00a0Here are some tips to help you decide when to use quotations:<\/strong>\r\n
      \r\n \t
    1. Quote if you can\u2019t say it any better and the author\u2019s words are particularly brilliant, witty, edgy, distinctive, a good illustration of a point you\u2019re making, or otherwise interesting.<\/li>\r\n \t
    2. Quote if you are using a particularly authoritative source and you need the author\u2019s expertise to back up your point.<\/li>\r\n \t
    3. Quote if you are analyzing diction, tone, or a writer\u2019s use of a specific word or phrase.<\/li>\r\n \t
    4. Quote if you are taking a position that relies on the reader\u2019s understanding exactly what another writer says about the topic.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nBe sure to introduce each quotation you use, and always cite your sources. See our handout on\u00a0quotations<\/a>\u00a0for more details on when to quote and how to format quotations.\r\n\r\nLike all pieces of evidence, a quotation can\u2019t speak for itself. If you end a paragraph with a quotation, that may be a sign that you have neglected to discuss the importance of the quotation in terms of your argument. It\u2019s important to avoid \u201cplop quotations,\u201d that is, quotations that are just dropped into your paper without any introduction, discussion, or follow-up.\r\n

      Paraphrasing<\/h2>\r\nWhen you paraphrase, you take a specific section of a text and put it into your own words. Putting it into your own words doesn\u2019t mean just changing or rearranging a few of the author\u2019s words: to paraphrase well and avoid plagiarism, try setting your source aside and restating the sentence or paragraph you have just read, as though you were describing it to another person. Paraphrasing is different than summary because a paraphrase focuses on a particular, fairly short bit of text (like a phrase, sentence, or paragraph). You\u2019ll need to indicate when you are paraphrasing someone else\u2019s text by citing your source correctly, just as you would with a quotation.\r\n\r\nWhen might you want to paraphrase?<\/strong>\r\n
        \r\n \t
      1. Paraphrase when you want to introduce a writer\u2019s position, but his or her original words aren\u2019t special enough to quote.<\/li>\r\n \t
      2. Paraphrase when you are supporting a particular point and need to draw on a certain place in a text that supports your point\u2014for example, when one paragraph in a source is especially relevant.<\/li>\r\n \t
      3. Paraphrase when you want to present a writer\u2019s view on a topic that differs from your position or that of another writer; you can then refute writer\u2019s specific points in your own words after you paraphrase.<\/li>\r\n \t
      4. Paraphrase when you want to comment on a particular example that another writer uses.<\/li>\r\n \t
      5. Paraphrase when you need to present information that\u2019s unlikely to be questioned.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

        Summary<\/h2>\r\nWhen you summarize, you are offering an overview of an entire text, or at least a lengthy section of a text. Summary is useful when you are providing background information, grounding your own argument, or mentioning a source as a counter-argument. A summary is less nuanced than paraphrased material. It can be the most effective way to incorporate a large number of sources when you don\u2019t have a lot of space. When you are summarizing someone else\u2019s argument or ideas, be sure this is clear to the reader and cite your source appropriately.\r\n

        Statistics, data, charts, graphs, photographs, illustrations<\/h2>\r\nSometimes the best evidence for your argument is a hard fact or visual representation of a fact. This type of evidence can be a solid backbone for your argument, but you still need to create context for your reader and draw the connections you want him or her to make. Remember that statistics, data, charts, graph, photographs, and illustrations are all open to interpretation. Guide the reader through the interpretation process. Again, always, cite the origin of your evidence if you didn\u2019t produce the material you are using yourself.","rendered":"

        Q. Does evidence speak for itself?<\/h2>\n

        A. Absolutely not. After you introduce evidence into your writing, you must say why and how this evidence supports your argument.<\/em> <\/span><\/strong>In other words, you have to explain the significance of the evidence and its function in your paper. What turns a fact or piece of information into evidence is the connection it has with a larger claim or argument: evidence is always evidence for or against something, and you have to make that link clear<\/strong><\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n

        As writers, we sometimes assume that our readers already know what we are talking about; we may be wary of elaborating too much because we think the point is obvious. But readers can\u2019t read our minds: although they may be familiar with many of the ideas we are discussing, they don\u2019t know what we are trying to do with those ideas unless we indicate it through explanations, organization, transitions, and so forth. Try to spell out the connections that you were making in your mind when you chose your evidence, decided where to place it in your paper, and drew conclusions based on it. Remember, you can always cut prose from your paper later if you decide that you are stating the obvious.<\/p>\n

        Here are some questions you can ask yourself about a particular bit of evidence:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
          \n
        1. OK, I\u2019ve just stated this point, but so what? Why is it interesting? Why should anyone care?<\/strong><\/li>\n
        2. What does this information imply?<\/strong><\/li>\n
        3. What are the consequences of thinking this way or looking at a problem this way?<\/strong><\/li>\n
        4. I\u2019ve just described what something is like or how I see it, but why is it like that?<\/strong><\/li>\n
        5. I\u2019ve just said that something happens\u2014so how does it happen? How does it come to be the way it is?<\/strong><\/li>\n
        6. Why is this information important? Why does it matter?<\/strong><\/li>\n
        7. How is this idea related to my thesis? What connections exist between them? Does it support my thesis? If so, how does it do that?<\/strong><\/li>\n
        8. Can I give an example to illustrate this point?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Answering these questions may help you explain how your evidence is related to your overall argument.<\/p>\n

          How can I incorporate evidence into my paper?<\/h2>\n

          There are many ways to present your evidence. Often, your evidence will be included as text in the body of your paper, as a quotation, paraphrase, or summary. Sometimes you might include graphs, charts, or tables; excerpts from an interview; or photographs or illustrations with accompanying captions.<\/p>\n

          Quotations<\/h2>\n

          When you quote, you are reproducing another writer\u2019s words exactly as they appear on the page.\u00a0Here are some tips to help you decide when to use quotations:<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Quote if you can\u2019t say it any better and the author\u2019s words are particularly brilliant, witty, edgy, distinctive, a good illustration of a point you\u2019re making, or otherwise interesting.<\/li>\n
          2. Quote if you are using a particularly authoritative source and you need the author\u2019s expertise to back up your point.<\/li>\n
          3. Quote if you are analyzing diction, tone, or a writer\u2019s use of a specific word or phrase.<\/li>\n
          4. Quote if you are taking a position that relies on the reader\u2019s understanding exactly what another writer says about the topic.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Be sure to introduce each quotation you use, and always cite your sources. See our handout on\u00a0quotations<\/a>\u00a0for more details on when to quote and how to format quotations.<\/p>\n

            Like all pieces of evidence, a quotation can\u2019t speak for itself. If you end a paragraph with a quotation, that may be a sign that you have neglected to discuss the importance of the quotation in terms of your argument. It\u2019s important to avoid \u201cplop quotations,\u201d that is, quotations that are just dropped into your paper without any introduction, discussion, or follow-up.<\/p>\n

            Paraphrasing<\/h2>\n

            When you paraphrase, you take a specific section of a text and put it into your own words. Putting it into your own words doesn\u2019t mean just changing or rearranging a few of the author\u2019s words: to paraphrase well and avoid plagiarism, try setting your source aside and restating the sentence or paragraph you have just read, as though you were describing it to another person. Paraphrasing is different than summary because a paraphrase focuses on a particular, fairly short bit of text (like a phrase, sentence, or paragraph). You\u2019ll need to indicate when you are paraphrasing someone else\u2019s text by citing your source correctly, just as you would with a quotation.<\/p>\n

            When might you want to paraphrase?<\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Paraphrase when you want to introduce a writer\u2019s position, but his or her original words aren\u2019t special enough to quote.<\/li>\n
            2. Paraphrase when you are supporting a particular point and need to draw on a certain place in a text that supports your point\u2014for example, when one paragraph in a source is especially relevant.<\/li>\n
            3. Paraphrase when you want to present a writer\u2019s view on a topic that differs from your position or that of another writer; you can then refute writer\u2019s specific points in your own words after you paraphrase.<\/li>\n
            4. Paraphrase when you want to comment on a particular example that another writer uses.<\/li>\n
            5. Paraphrase when you need to present information that\u2019s unlikely to be questioned.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Summary<\/h2>\n

              When you summarize, you are offering an overview of an entire text, or at least a lengthy section of a text. Summary is useful when you are providing background information, grounding your own argument, or mentioning a source as a counter-argument. A summary is less nuanced than paraphrased material. It can be the most effective way to incorporate a large number of sources when you don\u2019t have a lot of space. When you are summarizing someone else\u2019s argument or ideas, be sure this is clear to the reader and cite your source appropriately.<\/p>\n

              Statistics, data, charts, graphs, photographs, illustrations<\/h2>\n

              Sometimes the best evidence for your argument is a hard fact or visual representation of a fact. This type of evidence can be a solid backbone for your argument, but you still need to create context for your reader and draw the connections you want him or her to make. Remember that statistics, data, charts, graph, photographs, and illustrations are all open to interpretation. Guide the reader through the interpretation process. Again, always, cite the origin of your evidence if you didn\u2019t produce the material you are using yourself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":274624,"menu_order":5,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-2412","chapter","type-chapter","status-web-only","hentry"],"part":1838,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2412","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/274624"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2412\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2458,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2412\/revisions\/2458"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/1838"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2412\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2412"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=2412"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=2412"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=2412"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}