Developing & Supporting Your Ideas Chapter 7

Claims and Evidence Claim--An assertion that must be proved Evidence--Materials speakers use to support their ideas

Claims need support Claims Examples Narrative Statistics Testimony Example: Specific instances used to illustrate a concept, experience, issue, or problem Real example: an instance that actually took place Hypothetical example: an instance that did not take place but could have Narrative: A story that re-creates or foretells real or hypothetical events Statistics: Testimony: Definitions: Examples Narrative Statistics Testimony Definitions

Examples Specific instances used to illustrate a concept, experience, issue, or problem

Use Examples To clarify concepts To reinforce points To bring concepts to life To elicit emotions To build case or make credible generalizations

Using Examples Ethically & Effectively Relevant & appropriate Ethical hypothetical example Enough examples to support claim Account for counter examples

Narrative A story that re-creates or foretells real or hypothetical events

Use Narratives To personalize a point To challenge an audience To think in new ways To emotionally draw in an audience To unite speaker & audience

Using Narratives Ethically & Effectively Make a specific point Length appropriate Language vivid Delivery appropriate Story appropriate for audience

Statistics Numerical summaries of facts, figures, & research findings

Use Statistics To synthesize large amounts of information When numbers tell a powerful story When numerical evidence strengthens a claim

Using Statistics Ethically & Effectively Evaluate statistics carefully Use statistics sparingly Visit Web Link 7.2: Statistics Site at the Invitation to Public Speaking website.

Testimony Opinions or observations of others: direct quotation paraphrase expert testimony peer testimony personal testimony

Use Testimony When expert voice need To illustrate differences To illustrate agreements When experience says it best

Using Testimony Ethically & Effectively Credible source of testimony Unbiased testimony Paraphrased accurately Testimony connected to the point

Definitions Denotative definition: objective or dictionary definition Connotative definition: subjective meaning of a word or a phrase

Use Definitions To develop understanding To clarify an emotionally or politically charged word To illustrate what a word is not To trace the history of a word

Using Definitions Ethically & Effectively Source of the definition credible Avoid proper meaning superstition Actually define the term Try Web Link 7.4: Word Origins at the Invitation to Public Speaking website.