Types and Strength of Evidence What kinds of

Types and Strength of Evidence

What kinds of evidence do we use to make claims? List as many as you can! • Two Main Types: • Hard Evidence: strong appeal to logos and sometimes ethos; difficult to dispute; may lack emotional appeal • Soft Evidence: strong appeal to pathos and sometimes ethos; easier to dispute, but can be useful in an argument if used in conjunction with hard evidence

Quantitative or Statistical Evidence • Statistics, percentages, facts, etc. • Numbers • What we tend to look for as “proof” ▫ Example: “Four out of Five dentists agree you should use this toothpaste. ”

Primary Source Documents • Artifact, document, a recording, or other source of information that was created at the time under study • Examples: Civil disobedience is justified because, as MLK stated in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail, ” “an unjust law is no law at all. ”

Testimonial Evidence • Authorities on specific subjects • Spokespersons who support a particular view • Eye-Witness Accounts • These testimonials must have credibility (ethos) • Example: “As a doctor, I can attest to the fact that his physical condition did not affect his mental stability. ”

Current/Historical Events • Information learned directly from current events (oh… this is why we do Current Event Assignments! ) • Can be hard evidence or soft evidence • Shows knowledge of social issues • Can you think of an example?

Anecdotal Evidence • • Sometimes considered untrustworthy Observation of the world Can disprove generalizations Must be used in conjunction with a stronger type of evidence Other anecdotal evidence?

Analogical Evidence • Comparison of one situation to a similar situation • Must be used in conjunction with stronger evidence • Example: “Europa (one of Jupiter’s moons) has oxygen in its atmosphere, just like the Earth. There’s life on Earth, so there might be life on Europa. ” • Another example?

Hypothetical Evidence • Creating a hypothetical situation to support a claim • DO NOT USE THIS UNLESS…. . The hypothetical is given from a specialist/authority on the topic. • Example: “If we eliminate grades, imagine how students will stop doing their homework and paying attention in class. ” • Other examples?

So, what are we left with? Hard Evidence Types Soft Evidence Types • Quantitative/Statistical • Primary Source • Some Testimonial • Current/Historical Events • Current Events • Anecdotal • Analogical • Hypothetical (which we rarely use anyway!)