BUSINESS WRITING: USING EVIDENCE TO PROVE YOUR POINT Center for Professional Communication

Types of Reports INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: offer data, facts, feedback, and other types of information without analysis or recommendations. ANALYTICAL REPORTS: offer both information and analysis, and they can also include recommendations.

Critical Thinking Define the problem/purpose of your project Purpose Identify relevant facts and data (research) Evidence Generate and evaluate alternative solutions in light of the evidence Analysis Choose the best solution Solution

is the ability to use argument or discussion to influence an individual’s beliefs or actions Persuasion

is a term commonly used to describe the supporting material in persuasive writing Evidence

Types of Evidence  Facts and figures  Examples  Narratives  Testimony  Definition

is the interpretations drawn from evidence that provide readers with good reasons for changing an attitude or following a course of conduct or action. Analysis

Using Logical Analysis in Your Work  Lay out each statement/premise clearly  Use clear, well-edited, declarative sentences  Provide evidence for each premise  Use credible sources; use cites  Draw a clear connection to the conclusion  Connect the dots for the reader; don’t make them guess

Compare and Contrast Evidence  Compare and contrast can build author credibility  Use reliable sources to demonstrate knowledge  Can demonstrate impartiality, disinterest, fairness

An Example… Statement/Premise “Better Communication will improve our recruiting record.” Evidence “We are losing recruits to other schools.” (data, data, data) Bridge “Recruits are more likely to choose schools which communicate with them often during the recruiting process.”

An Example… Foundation “Research shows that frequency and quality of communication were key factors in influencing recruits to attend a specific school. Communication strengthened recruits’ initial interest and helped overcome objections. Our informal survey of recruits show that they receive more mail and phone calls from other schools than from us.” (provide concrete data)

An Example… Claim/Point of Persuasion “We should contact all potential recruits by telephone and follow up in writing.” Counterclaim “Our communication style might be poor. Frequent communication might hurt rather than help.”

An Example… Rebuttal “We will offer training sessions to our coaches and hire a consultant to help them write effective letters.” Limiter “Better communication will help us recruit more effectively.”

Common Flaws in Cluster Projects

 Slippery Slope  If A happens, then B through Z will happen  Hasty Generalizations  Insufficient or biased evidence  Either/or  Oversimplifies the arguments

Remember…

Your job is to connect the dots! Remember…