Argumentation and Persuasion -- Types of Evidence

Question 1

Fact

Answer 1

Information that can be proven to be objectively true

Question 2

Example of a fact

Answer 2

The earth orbits the sun

Question 3

Statistic

Answer 3

Information that is an interpretation of numerical data

Question 4

Example of a statistic

Answer 4

Surprisingly 91% of LC students graduate on time

Question 5

Interview/Survey/Questionnaire

Answer 5

Information gathered first hand from people: A primary source

Question 6

Example of a Interview/Survey/Questionnaire

Answer 6

Interview with a mayoral candidate

Question 7

Experience/Example/Anecdote

Answer 7

Information from personal experience supposedly representative of a general pattern

Question 8

Example of an experience/example/anecdote

Answer 8

Junior year was hard for me

Question 9

Opinion

Answer 9

Information based on personal interpretation of facts

Question 10

Example of opinion

Answer 10

Summer is the most miserable of the four seasons

Question 11

Analogy

Answer 11

Information comparing easily accepted examples with unfamiliar subjects

Question 12

Example of analogy

Answer 12

Juniors are like fledgling birds this is the year they learn to fly

Question 13

Authority

Answer 13

Information from a person whom the writer attributes expertise on a given subject

Question 14

Example of authority

Answer 14

Ms. Haxton says that Jane Eyre is a phenomenal book so it must be true

Question 15

Shared Beliefs/Values

Answer 15

Information readers share and accept as true (allusions to history, bible)

Question 16

Example of shared beliefs/values

Answer 16

Abraham Lincoln is one of our most revered presidents

Question 17

Causal Relationships

Answer 17

Writer asserts one thing results from another event or action

Question 18

Example of Causal Relationships

Answer 18

Since my brother wrecked the car when he was 16 my parents won’t let me drive with anyone but them until i’m 18

Question 19

Primary source

Answer 19

Materials on which other research is based

Question 20

Primary source example

Answer 20

Interview, autobiography

Question 21

Secondary Source

Answer 21

A work created from primary sources

Question 22

Secondary source example

Answer 22

Textbook, newspaper