1. Types and Strength of Evidence

2. What kinds of evidence do we use to make claims
What kinds of evidence do we use to make claims? List as many as you can!
Two Main Types:
Hard Evidence: strong appeal to logos and sometimes ethos; difficult to dispute; may lack emotional appeal
Soft Evidence: strong appeal to pathos and sometimes ethos; easier to dispute, but can be useful in an argument if used in conjunction with hard evidence

3. Quantitative or Statistical Evidence
Statistics, percentages, facts, etc.
Numbers
What we tend to look for as “proof”
Example: “Four out of Five dentists agree you should use this toothpaste.”

4. Primary Source Documents
Artifact, document, a recording, or other source of information that was created at the time under study
Examples: Civil disobedience is justified because, as MLK stated in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” “an unjust law is no law at all.”

5. Testimonial Evidence Authorities on specific subjects
Spokespersons who support a particular view
Eye-Witness Accounts
These testimonials must have credibility (ethos)
Example: “As a doctor, I can attest to the fact that his physical condition did not affect his mental stability.”

6. Current/Historical Events
Information learned directly from current events (oh… this is why we do Current Event Assignments! )
Can be hard evidence or soft evidence
Shows knowledge of social issues
Can you think of an example?

7. Other anecdotal evidence?
Sometimes considered untrustworthy
Observation of the world
Can disprove generalizations
Must be used in conjunction with a stronger type of evidence
Other anecdotal evidence?

8. Analogical Evidence Comparison of one situation to a similar situation
Must be used in conjunction with stronger evidence
Example: “Europa (one of Jupiter’s moons) has oxygen in its atmosphere, just like the Earth. There’s life on Earth, so there might be life on Europa.”
Another example?

9. Hypothetical Evidence
Creating a hypothetical situation to support a claim
DO NOT USE THIS UNLESS….. The hypothetical is given from a specialist/authority on the topic.
Example: “If we eliminate grades, imagine how students will stop doing their homework and paying attention in class.”
Other examples?

10. So, what are we left with? Quantitative/Statis- tical Current Events
Hard Evidence Types
Soft Evidence Types
Quantitative/Statis- tical
Primary Source
Some Testimonial
Current/Historical Events
Current Events
Anecdotal
Analogical
Hypothetical (which we rarely use anyway!)