Choose evidence to support a claim

key notes :

Understanding the Claim:

• A claim is a statement or idea that someone believes to be true.
• It is important to clearly understand the claim before looking for evidence to support it.

What is Evidence?:

• Evidence refers to facts, data, or information that supports a claim or argument.
• It can come from different sources, such as books, articles, observations, or experiments.

Types of Evidence:

• Facts: Verified information that can be proven true.
• Statistics: Numerical data that helps to support a point.
• Examples: Specific instances that illustrate the claim.
• Expert Opinions: Statements from people who are knowledgeable in a particular field.
• Quotations: Using someone else’s words to back up the claim.

Relevance of Evidence:

• Ensure the evidence directly relates to the claim.
• Irrelevant information, even if true, does not support the claim.

Evaluating the Quality of Evidence:

• Check if the evidence is credible (from a trustworthy source).
• Is the evidence up-to-date?
• Is the evidence accurate and reliable?
• Does the evidence address the claim effectively?

Using Multiple Pieces of Evidence:

• Strong claims are supported by multiple pieces of evidence.
• Use a combination of facts, examples, and expert opinions to build a solid argument.

Avoiding Weak Evidence:

• Avoid evidence that is based on opinions without facts.
• Be cautious of unreliable or biased sources.

Citing Evidence:

• Always give credit to the source of your evidence.
• Properly referencing where you found the information strengthens your argument.

Connecting Evidence to the Claim:

• Explain how each piece of evidence supports the claim.
• Make clear connections between the claim and the evidence, so the argument is logical.

Counter-Evidence:

• Sometimes, you may encounter evidence that contradicts your claim.
• Be prepared to explain why your evidence is stronger or more reliable than the counter-evidence.

Let’s practice!