Evidence Page
Evidence is the grounds or support the arguer
uses as proof that the claim should be accepted as true. Back
to Elements
- To make an argument work the evidence must be
accepted as true by all parties to the argument.
- If this is not the case, the argument cannot
continue until the evidence is established as true.
- The disputed evidence itself becomes a
sub-argument, where that piece of evidence becomes a claim which requires
its own evidence to establish it as true.
- Evidence might be listed in three general
categories: data, conventional wisdom, and source credibility.
Observable Data
| Examples |
Brief examples: Citing a number of incidents which
support your case. Reading excerpts of several letters written to a
congressional representative. Showing how several citizens have been
hurt by an increase in gasoline prices. |
| Extended examples: Tell a story with vivid detail that
illustrates the point you want to support. |
| Statistics |
Raw numbers, probability statements, measures of central
tendency (mean, mode, medium), data from polls, and scientific research
data. |
| Historical Artifacts |
Although it is controversial, the Shroud of
Turin is claimed to be proof of Jesus' resurrection. In the trial of
pop singer, Michael Jackson, pornography found at his home is said to be
evidence of his guilt. |
| Historical Documents |
Any written document (books, letters, diaries,
articles) may be used as evidence to support a claim. |
| Testimony |
Personal observations, or those of others, might
be used as evidence to support a claim. |
| Source Credibility |
A claim may be supported simply because a
person, who has credibility with listeners, says it is true. In
general, people assign credibility to individuals they see as competent,
trustworthy, unbiased, and having their best interests at
heart. |
| Conventional Wisdom |
Something on which a large majority of members
of the culture agree. (e.g., We agree that crime is a bad thing and needs
to be curbed. We tend to agree that each generation should leave the world
a better place than we found it. We generally agree that children should
be educated). |
| Shared value judgments (e.g., We generally agree that
democracy is good, so a thing which is known to promote democracy can be
used as evidence). |
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Click here to learn more about
thinking critically about evidence.
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