evidence

Examples of evidence in the following topics:

• Ethical Usage: Considering Other Viewpoints

  • Persuasive speakers have an ethical duty to consider opposing viewpoints and evidence before being sure that theirs are correct.
  • You may be making the wrong conclusion based on the evidence or your evidence may be flawed, both of which can be shown by examining other views.
  • Perhaps you and your opponent are using the same evidence but come to different conclusions .
  • Furthermore, evidence must generally be accepted only after intense scrutiny.
  • This is due to the fact that evidence comes from a process which may be flawed.

• Types of Supporting Materials

  • Scientific evidence is evidence which serves to either support or counter a scientific theory or hypothesis.
  • Such evidence is expected to be empirical and in accordance with scientific method.
  • Anecdotal evidence is evidence from anecdotes (stories).
  • Anecdotal evidence is considered dubious support for a claim; it is accepted only in lieu of more solid evidence.
  • Statistics are a type of scientific evidence that can bolster arguments.

• Deploying Evidence

  • Just how well does your evidence actually back up your argument?
  • That disconnect might occur when your evidence is not actually relevant to your argument.
  • Make sure your evidence is directly related to the points you are trying to make.
  • Likewise, your audience may have evidence of their own to contradict your line of reasoning; anticipate these contradictions and argue your point with evidence to counter their disagreements.
  • Your evidence may only skim the surface.

• Defining Evidence

  • To understand it in the opposite, to lack evidence is to lack the validity of a belief or idea.
  • Accuracy: The evidence must be truthfully constructed and defined.
  • The audience must be able to understand the evidence before it is used in an appeal.
  • Relevant Context: The evidence must be defined within the context of the appeal.
  • Secondly, the evidence must be defined only as comprehensively as necessary.

• Using Supporting Materials

  • Not all supporting evidence, however, is created equally.
  • For example, scientific evidence is absolutely necessary in settings such as an exam.
  • Scientific evidence is used to prove that a set of facts or conditions is present in the world.
  • Using non-scientific evidence comes with some dangers, however.
  • Exam questions in most subjects test the taker's grasp of empirical evidence (scientific evidence).

• Persuasive Speeches on Questions of Fact

  • Organization and Evidence: In general, the evidence should be presented in topical order.
  • It is important to consider the evidence carefully.
  • The speaker proves the position by presenting compelling evidence to support the thesis.
  • Ethics: As a speaker you have an ethical responsibility to provide reliable, valid evidence to the audience and be aware of and avoid your own bias in the selection of the evidence which you use.
  • Explain how to present evidence to prove that a fact is true

• Using Different Kinds of Appeals

  • Evidential appeals are formed by defining the evidence and then explaining how the evidence must logically prove that a certain conclusion must be true.
  • Evidential appeals are the only type of persuasive speech allowed in a court of law; the evidence must prove that the defendant has committed the crime in order for that person to be found guilty .
  • A scientist must be able to show the connection between evidence and a conclusion in order for his/her work to be accepted.
  • In persuasive speaking, the speaker must first explain the evidence in a way that is comprehensible to the audience, yet complete.
  • Then the scientist must explain how that evidence logically leads to a consequence that supports his/her proposal.

• Critical Thinking

  • In order to present a clear and well-reasoned argument, you'll need to make sure you have accurate and specific evidence to support your claims.
  • Have you considered all the possible ways to present your main thesis and all the possible evidence you could include?
  • By evaluating evidence with a critical eye, you'll strengthen your argument by selecting the most compelling evidence to make your point.
  • Now that you've outlined your purpose, goals, and evidence, how exactly will you set out to accomplish those goals?
  • You can then go back and tailor your evidence and content more appropriately so that your audience reaches the same conclusions you set out to present.

• Deploying a Rational Appeal

  • A rational appeal uses logical arguments and factual evidence to persuade individuals.
  • Our focus on reasoning and how you to use evidence to reason with your audience is part of the study of logos.
  • You might use many different forms of evidence to support your rational appeal.
  • As you deploy a rational appeal consider: Is my reasoning sound, and what will the audience accept as a believable evidence?
  • Prior to your speech, it is important to consider the soundness of your evidence and reasoning.

• Using Supporting Materials Effectively

  • If there is no evidence, it obviously cannot be used.
  • The idea being supported: if you are trying to explain that your favorite ice cream is chocolate, then scientific evidence about the molecular composition of chocolate ice cream is not as effective as personal accounts .
  • For logical appeals, all types can again be used, though the most effective support is scientific evidence, because it is empirical and true.
  • The audience: different audiences respond differently to different types of supporting evidence.