Using Anecdotes, Descriptions, Facts and Statistics, & Specific Examples in Writing WS 1.2 CUSD ELA Initiative

Support your writing with Proof It’s not enough to simply state your main idea or claim when you are writing. You must support all statements and claims you make with proof. Good writers often use different kinds of proof to make their point. The different types of proof you can use include: anecdotes descriptions facts statistics specific examples

Anecdotes are brief narratives or stories that illustrate the point. Usually no more than a few sentences or a paragraph long. They are often used to generate reader interest, especially in the opening pargraph

Anecdotes “Queen Elizabeth I was one of the most popular British rulers—but she was more loved by the people of England than by her father, King Henry VIII.”

Descriptions Descriptions are details that draw on the five senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, smell. Descriptions can appeal to more than one sense at the same time.

Descriptions “Prince Henry set up his school on a rocky promontory call Sagres, in the southernmost province of Algarve, Portugal. Although he never sailed a single ocean voyage, Henry organized a way for others to learn the most skilled way to sail.”

Facts and Statistics Facts—information that can be proved through reference materials or personal observation. Statistics—numbers that illustrate your point. These can be whole numbers or percentages.

Facts and Statistics In 1419 Prince Henry of Portugal, known as “Henry the Navigator,” set up a research center in southern Portugal. In 1492 Columbus discovered the Americas Only 7% of the men who began the voyage with Magellan completed the journey. The Native American population decreased by as much as 20 million after the Spanish arrived in the Americas.

Specific Examples Specific Examples—specific instances or cases that support the point. Examples help a reader understand a general statement by giving specific information that represents one piece of the whole concept.

Specific Examples “The king was upset when Elizabeth was born, because he wanted a boy to inherit the throne.” “One reason Elizabeth probably remained single was to maintain control of the government at a time when most rulers were men.”

Now let’s practice… Silently read “Magellan’s Dream.” Work with a partner to answer the questions on the second page. Be ready to answer the questions as a class.

Magellan’s Dream How does the writer open the essay? What example does the writer provide in paragraph 2? In paragraph 3, where could the author add evidence to make the paragraph more convincing?

Magellan’s Dream In paragraph 4 the underlined section is an example of what kind of supporting evidence? In the last paragraph, what kind of supporting details are used? Where could the writer have added statistics?