1. Developing & Supporting Your Ideas
Chapter 7

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

3. 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

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

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

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

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

8. 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

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

10. Statistics
Numerical summaries of facts, figures, & research findings

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

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

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

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

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

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

17. 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

18. 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.