{"id":2415,"date":"2020-06-11T20:15:13","date_gmt":"2020-06-11T20:15:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/?post_type=chapter&p=2415"},"modified":"2020-07-01T20:07:47","modified_gmt":"2020-07-01T20:07:47","slug":"types-of-evidence-in-argument-persuasive-papers","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/chapter\/types-of-evidence-in-argument-persuasive-papers\/","title":{"raw":"Types of Evidence in Argument\/Persuasive Papers","rendered":"Types of Evidence in Argument\/Persuasive Papers"},"content":{"raw":"
\r\n\r\nSupport your position or thesis with evidence<\/strong>.<\/span> Remember that your evidence must appeal to reason. The following are different ways to support your argument:\r\n

\u25c6 Facts<\/h2>\r\n

\u25c6 Statistics<\/h2>\r\n

\u25c6 Quotes<\/h2>\r\n

\u25c6 Examples<\/h2>\r\n \r\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0 Using facts is a powerful means of convincing.<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nFacts can come from your reading, observation, or personal experience. Facts <\/strong>cannot be disputed. This makes them a strong form of evidence. Note: <\/strong>Do not confuse facts with truths. A \"truth\" is an idea believed by many people, but it cannot be proven. For example:\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Grass is green.\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All cats are animals.\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jumping out of airplanes without a parachute is hazardous.\r\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0 Using statistics can provide excellent support for your argument.<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nArguments employing amounts and numbers are concrete and therefore support claims because they use logic and facts. Be sure your statistics come from good sources, which you will cite. Examples:\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Over 61% of Americans are overweight.\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Unemployment in Illinois is at 5%.\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 During each game, Sean Hill of the NY Islanders spent an average of 20:09 minutes on the ice.\r\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0 Using quotes from leading experts or authorities in their fields will support your position<\/strong>\u2014this is a logical appeal and is accepted by other academics as a good way to back up your claims.<\/h2>\r\nNote:<\/strong> <\/span>You may also summarize or paraphrase<\/span> an expert. In that case, you would not use quotation marks.\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dr. Kenneth P. Moritsugu, U.S. Surgeon General, described long term problems associated with underage drinking: \u201cResearch shows that young people who start drinking before the age of 15 are five times more likely to have alcohol-related problems later in life.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Samantha King, a noted forensic specialist, stated that DNA evidence is usually indisputable. [Note: Samantha King's testimony is paraphrased, not quoted.<\/span>]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nIt is EXTREMELY important to make sure that the authoritative information you choose is actually accurate<\/span> and relevant to your point<\/span>.<\/strong> Sometimes, so-called authorities are not what they seem or information is misleading.\r\n
    \r\n \t
  • My two friends in Florida think that Miami\u2019s a better place to visit than Chicago. (Note: these are biased sources.<\/span>)<\/li>\r\n \t
  • My grandmother, who has property worth over $2 million, believes that estate tax laws need overhauling. (Note: she\u2019s probably not an expert in tax law, and she has a vested interest.<\/span>)<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Movie critic Eleanor Lyttle writes that Star Wars Revenge of the Sith <\/em>is \u201cwondrous\u201d and \u201ca must- see.\u201d (Note: the actual quotation read: \u201cRevenge of the Sith <\/em>is a horrific film. It is a wondrous waste, but it is a must-see if you want to understand what a truly bad move looks like.\u201d In this case, obviously, the quotations are used out of context.<\/span>)<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Dr. Petrelli endorses energy drinks to boost metabolism. (Note: who is Dr. Petrelli?<\/span>)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    4. Using examples or anecdotes from your own experience can enhance your meaning and also engage the reader.<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nPersonal examples make your ideas concrete. These real-life examples allow a reader to relate to the issues personally.\r\n
      \r\n \t
    • For many years, my best friend\u2019s husband beat her\u2014the police did nothing about it; therefore, we need better laws so domestic abusers can be punished more stringently.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • After living in Iceland for a decade, I can honestly say that the people are kind and warm.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Immigration laws should allow amnesty to illegals\u2014my father came here from Mexico twenty years ago, and he has worked 50 hours a week to support us. If he is deported, he will leave behind his children, who are citizens. I do not think this is fair to all of us.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nFor personal experience to be convincing, however, it must also be applicable, present reasonable background understanding, show a universal or general situation, and be related to the thesis somehow. The following statements would not<\/span> be very convincing for example:<\/strong>\r\n
        \r\n \t
      • I've never been to Australia, but it seems from all the movies I\u2019ve seen about the place that they all like to drink and barbecue.<\/li>\r\n \t
      • My experience in visiting Canada on a high school trip showed me that their medical system is superior to ours.<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Cats are not friendly. My neighbor\u2019s cat never comes to me when I call it.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n ","rendered":"
        \n

        Support your position or thesis with evidence<\/strong>.<\/span> Remember that your evidence must appeal to reason. The following are different ways to support your argument:<\/p>\n

        \u25c6 Facts<\/h2>\n

        \u25c6 Statistics<\/h2>\n

        \u25c6 Quotes<\/h2>\n

        \u25c6 Examples<\/h2>\n

         <\/p>\n

        1.\u00a0\u00a0 Using facts is a powerful means of convincing.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

        Facts can come from your reading, observation, or personal experience. Facts <\/strong>cannot be disputed. This makes them a strong form of evidence. Note: <\/strong>Do not confuse facts with truths. A “truth” is an idea believed by many people, but it cannot be proven. For example:<\/p>\n

        \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Grass is green.<\/p>\n

        \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All cats are animals.<\/p>\n

        \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jumping out of airplanes without a parachute is hazardous.<\/p>\n

        2.\u00a0\u00a0 Using statistics can provide excellent support for your argument.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

        Arguments employing amounts and numbers are concrete and therefore support claims because they use logic and facts. Be sure your statistics come from good sources, which you will cite. Examples:<\/p>\n

        \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Over 61% of Americans are overweight.<\/p>\n

        \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Unemployment in Illinois is at 5%.<\/p>\n

        \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 During each game, Sean Hill of the NY Islanders spent an average of 20:09 minutes on the ice.<\/p>\n

        3.\u00a0\u00a0 Using quotes from leading experts or authorities in their fields will support your position<\/strong>\u2014this is a logical appeal and is accepted by other academics as a good way to back up your claims.<\/h2>\n

        Note:<\/strong> <\/span>You may also summarize or paraphrase<\/span> an expert. In that case, you would not use quotation marks.<\/p>\n

        \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dr. Kenneth P. Moritsugu, U.S. Surgeon General, described long term problems associated with underage drinking: \u201cResearch shows that young people who start drinking before the age of 15 are five times more likely to have alcohol-related problems later in life.\u201d<\/p>\n

        \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Samantha King, a noted forensic specialist, stated that DNA evidence is usually indisputable. [Note: Samantha King’s testimony is paraphrased, not quoted.<\/span>]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        It is EXTREMELY important to make sure that the authoritative information you choose is actually accurate<\/span> and relevant to your point<\/span>.<\/strong> Sometimes, so-called authorities are not what they seem or information is misleading.<\/p>\n

          \n
        • My two friends in Florida think that Miami\u2019s a better place to visit than Chicago. (Note: these are biased sources.<\/span>)<\/li>\n
        • My grandmother, who has property worth over $2 million, believes that estate tax laws need overhauling. (Note: she\u2019s probably not an expert in tax law, and she has a vested interest.<\/span>)<\/li>\n
        • Movie critic Eleanor Lyttle writes that Star Wars Revenge of the Sith <\/em>is \u201cwondrous\u201d and \u201ca must- see.\u201d (Note: the actual quotation read: \u201cRevenge of the Sith <\/em>is a horrific film. It is a wondrous waste, but it is a must-see if you want to understand what a truly bad move looks like.\u201d In this case, obviously, the quotations are used out of context.<\/span>)<\/li>\n
        • Dr. Petrelli endorses energy drinks to boost metabolism. (Note: who is Dr. Petrelli?<\/span>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          4. Using examples or anecdotes from your own experience can enhance your meaning and also engage the reader.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

          Personal examples make your ideas concrete. These real-life examples allow a reader to relate to the issues personally.<\/p>\n

            \n
          • For many years, my best friend\u2019s husband beat her\u2014the police did nothing about it; therefore, we need better laws so domestic abusers can be punished more stringently.<\/li>\n
          • After living in Iceland for a decade, I can honestly say that the people are kind and warm.<\/li>\n
          • Immigration laws should allow amnesty to illegals\u2014my father came here from Mexico twenty years ago, and he has worked 50 hours a week to support us. If he is deported, he will leave behind his children, who are citizens. I do not think this is fair to all of us.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            For personal experience to be convincing, however, it must also be applicable, present reasonable background understanding, show a universal or general situation, and be related to the thesis somehow. The following statements would not<\/span> be very convincing for example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            • I’ve never been to Australia, but it seems from all the movies I\u2019ve seen about the place that they all like to drink and barbecue.<\/li>\n
            • My experience in visiting Canada on a high school trip showed me that their medical system is superior to ours.<\/li>\n
            • Cats are not friendly. My neighbor\u2019s cat never comes to me when I call it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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