7.3 Supporting Arguments with Evidence

• Identifying the central claim allows you to understand the overall purpose and direction of the argument.


  True
• A central claim needs to be clearly stated and supported with evidence.


  True
• The central claim or thesis statement is the main argument or position
• Supporting claims provide the evidence and reasoning to back up the main argument
• Steps to gather evidence for an argument:

  1️⃣ Identify key points based on supporting claims

  2️⃣ Research to find credible sources

  3️⃣ Select relevant and persuasive evidence

  4️⃣ Integrate evidence into the argument

  5️⃣ Address counterarguments
• The central claim provides the overall direction and purpose
• Supporting claims can be multiple in an essay or argument.

  True
• After identifying the central claim and supporting claims, the next crucial step is to gather relevant evidence
• Gathering strong evidence is essential for persuading the audience of the central claim


  True
• What is a characteristic of a strong topic sentence?

  Connects to the central claim
• Match the effective signal words with their ineffective counterparts:

  For example ↔️ This shows

  Research has shown that ↔️ I think

  Furthermore ↔️ Also

  Specifically ↔️ Some
• The central claim or thesis statement is the main argument or position
• Match the type of evidence with its description and source:

  Factual Information ↔️ Objective data from academic journals

  Expert Opinions ↔️ Statements from recognized authorities

  Anecdotes ↔️ Personal stories or experiences

  Examples ↔️ Concrete illustrations of the point

  Quotes ↔️ Direct excerpts from sources
• Factual information includes objective data and statistics
• Anecdotes are personal stories or experiences used as evidence in an argument.


  True
• Steps in the evidence-gathering process

  1️⃣ Identify key points that need support

  2️⃣ Research credible sources

  3️⃣ Select the most relevant evidence

  4️⃣ Integrate evidence with signal phrases

  5️⃣ Address counterarguments
• Research studies showing a correlation between high voter turnout and accurate representation can be used to support mandatory voting.


  True
• What is a key characteristic of a strong topic sentence?

  Connects to the central claim
• The purpose of a strong topic sentence is to orient the reader and set up the supporting evidence
• Signal words and phrases help smoothly connect evidence to supporting claims.


  True
• What signal phrase could be used to introduce evidence from a study on voter turnout?

  According to a study
• Analyzing and explaining the relevance of evidence is crucial for building a persuasive argument
• What should you consider when evaluating the credibility of evidence?

  Reputation of the source
• An effective explanation of relevance might use phrases like "This directly supports my claim
• What is the purpose of determining the relevance of evidence in an argument?

  Assess how directly it supports the supporting claim
• An effective explanation of relevance should clearly articulate the connection between the evidence and the supporting claim.


  True
• Factual evidence presents verifiable information, while statistical evidence uses numerical data to support arguments
• Credible sources are essential for building a persuasive argument because they provide reliable, factual information.


  True
• What is the central claim or thesis statement in an argument?

  Main argument or position
• Steps in gathering relevant evidence to support an argument

  1️⃣ Identify key points that need support

  2️⃣ Research credible sources

  3️⃣ Gather factual information

  4️⃣ Include expert opinions

  5️⃣ Use anecdotes or examples
• Direct excerpts from sources can strengthen an argument by providing authoritative quotes
• Researching credible sources is essential for finding types of evidence such as factual information, expert opinions, anecdotes, examples, and quotes
• What is the source of factual information in evidence gathering?

  Academic journals
• Evidence should be selected based on its relevance and persuasiveness to the supporting claim.


  True
• What is the primary characteristic of an effective topic sentence?

  Clearly connects to central claim
• Topic sentences help unify the argument and guide the reader through the logic of the essay.


  True
• A strong topic sentence helps to unify the argument and guide the reader
• What is one key characteristic of an effective topic sentence?

  Supports the central claim
• "For example" and "in fact" are examples of effective signal words.


  True
• When evaluating evidence, it is important to consider the reputation and expertise of the source