Reasons and Evidence Booth et al. Chapter 9

Using Reasons to Plan Your Argument Reasons outline the logical structure of your argument. They “state why readers should accept a claim.” (140) You can think them up. Evidence is the bedrock of your argument, the established body of facts that readers need to see before they accept your reasons. It is “what readers accept as fact…they think of them as ‘hard’ reality, evident to anyone able to observe.” Evidence cannot be fabricated. (South Korean Clone example.) …

Difference Between Reasons and Evidence We don’t base evidence on reasons, we base reasons on evidence. What Counts as Evidence? Sometimes Evidence presented to support an argument might in fact be another Reason used to support the argument. This will encourage readers to question you.

Difference Between Reasons and Evidence Example: Colleges should change their policies about off-campus drinking (Claim), since binge drinking has become more common (Reason). Deaths associated with binge drinking have also increased. (Evidence?) Is this really evidence, or another reason? Colleges should change their policies about off-campus drinking (Claim), since binge drinking has become more common (Reason). Deaths associated with binge drinking have increased by 19% since (Evidence) This is more clear, and compelling evidence. …

Evidence v. Reports of Evidence In academic work you report your evidence, rather than actually show or present the evidence directly. In the process, the researcher invariably “shapes” or somehow “spins” the details of what they discovered. Given that research often depend on “reports of evidence” (other people’s findings) it is hard to know what the real story is.

Selecting the Right Form for Reporting Evidence What is the best way to report evidence? -Direct quotations of the source -Photographs -Textual description or analysis (narrative) -Tables, graphs -Summaries and or paraphrases Should find out what your readers, and scholarly community expects or accepts. …

Reliable Evidence Criteria for judging the reliability of research: -Is it reported accurately? -Is it sufficient? -Is it applicable? -Is it from an authoritative source? -Is it current?