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Derek Henson
English
10/1/15

How can we prove that what we say or believe is true?

When one gets into an argument or discussion, they usually want to be right. But,
a person can not convince somebody without explaining their thinking. They can prove
their point by simply explaining, or persuading the other person. Some ways to prove
what we say or believe is true can be done by proving the other person wrong with some
sort of information. The best way to prove something and make others believe you, is
best done by providing evidence.
Always support your point by explaining your reasoning and thinking when you
give a point. Such as with Juror Two who only believed that the kid is guilty without
explaining his reasoning, nor providing evidence.
FOREMAN: Right.{
To TWO}
Well start
with you. TWO {
timidly
}. Oh. Well {
there is a long pause
.} I just think hes guilty. I
thought it was obvious.EIGHT: In what way was it obvious? TWO: I mean that nobody
proved otherwise. ..TWO: {
flustered
} Well, sure- Ive heard of it. I know what it
is...I...what I meant well, Anyway...I think hes guilty! (pg.17-18)
This text evidence

shows that Juror 2 was stubborn and only believed that the kid is guilty without looking
at real evidence.
Going into detail in your evidence is the best way to make people believe that you
know what you are talking about, which then persuades them your are right. They
explain their reasoning of why he believes what they believe. This is a way of proving a
point right. Juror Eight did this a lot throughout the play. He is the one who persuaded
everyone to believe the kid is innocent by going into detail of the evidence.
EIGHT: An el
train takes ten seconds to pass a given point, or two seconds per car. That el had been
going by the old mans window for at least six seconds to pass a given point, or two
seconds per car. That el had been going by the old mans window for at least six seconds
and maybe more
before the body fell,
according to the woman. The old man would have
had to hear the boy say, Im going to kill you, while the front of the el was roaring past
his nose. Its not possible that he could have heard it. (pg.32-33)
This textual evidence
shows that in order to prove your point, the best way to do that is by going into detail to
find proof to support your evidence. In this case, Eight was trying to prove that the kid is
innocent by thinking hard and finding possibilities.

Persuading people by leading them into believing your point, can only be done by
providing evidence they could consider believing.
NINE. Thank you. (
Pointing at
EIGHT)
This gentleman chose to stand alone against us. Thats his right. It takes a great deal of
courage to stand alone even if you believe in something very strongly. He left the verdict
up to us. He gambled for support and I gave it to him. I want to hear more. The vote is
ten to two. (pg.28) FIVE. Id like to change my vote to not guilty. (THREE
gets up and
walks to the window, furious, but trying to control himself
.).....FOREMAN. The vote is nine
to three in favor of guilty. SEVEN. Well, if that isnt the end. (
To
FIVE) What are you basing
it on? Stories this guy(
indicating
EIGHT)made up!....... (pg.36) EIGHT. Does anyone
think there still is not a reasonable doubt? (
He looks around the room, then squarely at
TEN. TEN
looks down and shakes his head no
.) EIGHT (
calmly
).
Does anyone else?

FOUR (
quietly
). No. Im convinced now. There is a reasonable doubt. (pg.62) T
hese
pieces of textual evidence shows that Eight has persuaded the other Jurors into believing
the kid is innocent. Usually when he discussed the evidence, one or two people would be
persuaded into agreeing with his point.
Another way to persuade someone is by providing evidence from a source like a
book or any sourcery that contains facts. Just by showing your evidence, especially using
facts which people can rely on is much more conventional.
THREE: Okay, lets get to the
facts. (pg. 18)
This evidence shows that Jurors looked at the evidence they were given to
come to their conclusion. Also for the other Jurors to look at Threes perspective. Another
example would be when you write a paper, proving your point with textual evidence,
such as now, is a more conventional way of persuading your reader.
The best way to prove something and make others believe you, is best done by
providing evidence. Evidence is the best way to win any argument or point. It can
persuade people into believing you are right, and show them that you know what you
are talking about. But overall providing evidence can persuade, and support your points
when you are trying to prove a point.