Types of Evidence

Writers find the BEST evidence to support their claim.

Writers also need to decide what type of evidence they have and whether or not to include it in their argument piece.

Types of Evidence

• Statistics

• Expert Research

• Personal Experience

•Reasons/logic

•Confirmed Facts

Statistics• Example: “Falls from a trampoline accounted for 27% to 39% of all injuries, and can potentially be catastrophic…” from the article, “Pediatricians: Backyard Trampolines Too Dangerous” (USA Today).

*Percents or numbers

Statistics• Example: “…in 2009, there were 98,000 total trampoline related injuries in the U.S” from the article, “Keep the Kids off the Trampoline, Pediatricians Warn.”

*Percents or numbers

Statistics Post-it Notes

Expert Research• Example: “The American Academy of

Orthopedic Surgeons, The Canadian Pediatric Society, and the Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine have all issued similar statements discouraging recreational and playground use of trampolines, citing safety concerns” from the article, “Pediatricians: Backyard Trampolines Too Dangerous” (USA Today).

Expert Research

•Example: Studies that have conducted research for a longer period of time.

Expert Research Post-it Notes

Personal Experience• Example: “Thomas, 13, and his friends Mark and

Josh had a fantastic idea. Why not play a game of football…on a trampoline? At first, it was great fun. The boys passed and tackled while bouncing up and down. Then Mark stumbled, tripped, and crashed, landing directly on Thomas’s leg,” from the article, “Are Trampolines Too Risky?” (Scholastic Scope).

Personal Experience Post-it Notes

Confirmed Facts• Example: “The trampoline is one of the most helpful training devices for coordination and muscle control” from the article, “Benefits of Trampolines or Why a Trampoline is Good for You and Your Family.”

*See in multiple RELIABLE sources

Confirmed Facts Post-it Notes

Reasons/Logic

• Example: “Bouncing on a trampoline is better exercise than sitting on the couch.”

*Common sense

Reasons/Logic Post-it Notes

How would you rank each of these? (1 being the weakest to 5 being

the strongest)

Ranking: Strongest to the Least Strongest

• 1. Personal Experience

• 2. Reasons/logic

• 3. Confirmed Facts

• 4. Statistics

• 5. Expert Research