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Understanding Evidence: Type of Evidence General Purpose

This document discusses different types of evidence that can be used to support an argument: details and examples to make abstract ideas more concrete, research and expert opinion to show others support the argument's ideas, and data and statistics to quantify problems or solutions. It provides an example from an op-ed that uses different types of evidence, including research, statistical data, expert opinion, and examples of effective programs. While personal experiences can introduce real examples, they are not usually effective as the sole evidence and including different types of evidence strengthens an argument.

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60 views1 page

Understanding Evidence: Type of Evidence General Purpose

This document discusses different types of evidence that can be used to support an argument: details and examples to make abstract ideas more concrete, research and expert opinion to show others support the argument's ideas, and data and statistics to quantify problems or solutions. It provides an example from an op-ed that uses different types of evidence, including research, statistical data, expert opinion, and examples of effective programs. While personal experiences can introduce real examples, they are not usually effective as the sole evidence and including different types of evidence strengthens an argument.

Uploaded by

samantha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Understanding Evidence 

Once the claim is established and the counterarguments identified, an argument needs to be proven and supported
with ​evidence​. Evidence is the heart of a good argument. Stating an opinion isn’t enough. An effective argument
uses evidence to persuade the readers to share that opinion. Weak or insufficient evidence will be unconvincing.
Take a look at the table below.

Type of Evidence General Purpose

Details and Examples To make an abstract idea concrete, or a general point


more specific

Research and Expert Opinion To show that others support the ideas in your argument

Data and Statistics To quantify the problem or solution with specific figures

Personal Experience and Anecdotes To personalize and add emotion

These types of evidence often overlap. A piece of data can come from research, a personal experience can serve
as an example, or an expert opinion can add detail.

Let’s look at one section of Kristof’ op-ed “Beyond Education Wars” to see how he develops his argument using
evidence.
Researchers are finding that poverty can harm the brains of small children, perhaps because their 
brains are subjected to excessive cortisol (a stress hormone) and exposed less to conversation and 
reading.​ One study just published in Nature Neuroscience​ found that children in low-income families
had a ​brain surface area on average 6 percent smaller than that of children in high-income families​.

“Neuroscience tells us we’re missing a critical, time-sensitive opportunity to help the most
disadvantaged kids,” notes Dr. Jack Shonkoff, an early childhood expert at the Harvard Graduate
School of Education.

Growing evidence suggests what does work to break the poverty cycle: ​Start early in life, and coach 
parents to stimulate their children.​ Randomized controlled trials, the gold standard of evidence,
have shown this with programs like ​Nurse-Family Partnership, Reach Out and Read, and 
high-quality preschool.

Look at the types of evidence used. (Pay attention to the shifts in font.)
● Research 
● A specific example of research 
● Statistical data
● Expert opinion
● Examples of what works 
● Examples of specific programs that work

A note about personal experience and anecdotes:

Are personal experiences and anecdotes ​effective ​evidence? They certainly can be, since the details
introduce us to real people in real situations. ​Just keep in mind that personal experiences and anecdotes are ​rarely 
effective​ if they are the ONLY evidence you have to offer. ​It’s too easy for someone to raise doubts by saying that’s
just one example or one viewpoint. ​Including different types of evidence is the best way to strengthen an
argument.

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