College Composition / Unit 31 CMP 0754 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Evaluating Evidence in a Text
The idea
Evaluating evidence in someone else's argument means testing whether it is reliable and sufficient to justify the conclusion.
In practice
Ask the questions in order. First, what kind of evidence is it: facts, statistics, anecdotes, examples or expert opinion? Second, is it relevant to the claim it supports? Third, is it sufficient, or does the writer generalize from too little? Fourth, are the facts accurate, and do the inferences rely on facts? Fifth, are opinions offered as evidence based on expertise rather than emotion? Sixth, is the author reliable and reasonable? Seventh, does the writer present enough reliable facts to justify the conclusions drawn?
Where people slip
Strong evidence for a modest claim beats thin evidence for a sweeping one. Notice when a writer's conclusion reaches further than the evidence goes.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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