What Is Evidence?

Let's say your friend tells you that her favorite band is the most popular one in
the United States today. How do you decide whether you should believe her?

One way to find out is to ask her for proof, or evidence.

What Is Evidence?
Evidence is a piece of information that supports a claim—a writer's position
on an issue or problem. A writer may use several different types of evidence.
Facts
Statistics
Examples
expert testimony

Facts are statements that can be proved true by checking a

source.
Example: The Sweet Pickles have performed in 27 states so far this year.

Statistics are facts in the form of numbers.

Example: Fifty-eight percent of the people who bought tickets to The Sweet
Pickles' concerts were between the ages of 14 and 18.

Examples are illustrations of an idea.

Example: The Sweet Pickles' best-selling album, "Don't Give Up," highlights
the band's use of electric guitars, banjos, and unique vocal harmonies.

Expert testimony refers to statements made by people who are specialists

in the subject being dealt with. Example: Musician Bill Blues says, "The Sweet
Pickles blends folk and rock music like no other band today."
Facts vs. Opinions
Persuasive writers may use facts to convince you to agree with their claim. Sometimes,
they may include opinions, or statements of personal belief that cannot be proved.
Fact
Example:
Studies of 200 animal shelters indicate that large numbers of
animals are put to sleep if they aren't adopted. In Liberty
Animal Shelter, in Liberty, CA, more than 500 animals a month
are euthanized.

Opinion
Example:
If a soccer team's players wear orange, the team will win.
Players with orange jerseys are the best soccer players.

Analysis:
This is the writer's opinion, and it cannot be proved true.

Facts vs. Opinions

Remember that facts are statements that can be verified, or proved
true. Opinions, however, cannot be verified; they express personal beliefs or feelings.
Read each passage. Is it a fact? Choose Yes or No.

The Sweet Pickles 'music is much better than that of the Wailing Wolverines.
YES NO

According to Music Today magazine, The Sweet Pickles have sold more albums than
the Wailing Wolverines.
YES NO
Statistics As Evidence
Statistics are facts given in number form. To identify statistics, ask yourself: Are
there numbers in this statement that are based on research?
Choose the statements containing statistics
- A recent survey shows that teen spend over 40 hours a week playing video games.
- Video games are three times as much fun as chess.
- Studies show that 8- to 14 years -olds play video games more than they watch TV.
- Video games are more popular than sporting events.

Examples As Evidence
Examples are illustrations of a writer's ideas. To identify examples, look for
details or stories that tell about real events, people, or situations.

Which sentence in the text includes an example?

(1) Many researchers think we

need stricter teen driving laws. (2) Jeremy Soren, with the Highway Safety Agency,
(1) Many researchers think we need stricter teen driving laws. (2) Jeremy Soren,
with the Highway Safety Agency, has researched wrecks involving teens.
(3) "I found that teen drivers were 10 percent more distracted than adults."
(4) He mentioned 17-year-old Stephanie Wilson, who had three friends in the car
when she failed to stop at a red light. 3) "I found that teen drivers were 10 percent
more
Sentence 1
Sentence 2
Sentence 3
Sentence 4
distracted than adults." (4) He mentioned 17-year-old Stephanie Wilson, who had
three friends in the car when she failed to stop at a red light.
 Expert Opinions As Evidence
Expert opinions are statements made by people who work in or study the
subject area being discussed. Mentions of job titles, places of employment, or
degrees can indicate expert opinions.

Does this statement include an expert opinion? Select Yes or No.

Jeremy Soren from the Highway Safety Agency notes that crashes occur
more often when two or more teens are in the car.
Yes No

Dr. Holly Wilson, an emergency room physician at Lawn Hospital,

reports that in the last ten years she has seen more teens admitted with
injuries from car wrecks
. Yes No

Evaluating Relevant Evidence

When you evaluate the evidence given for a claim, you determine whether the
evidence is relevant to the topic. This means the evidence relates to and supports
the claim.
Choose any statements that provide relevant support for this sentence:
We need better science programs in our school.

Many students are not prepared For college level science classes.
Some students are not prepared to use high-school science on the job.
Some students are behind in the math.
Many students have failed science classes because they are too difficult.
 Importance of Evidence
Writers use evidence for the same reasons you rely on evidence to convince others
to believe you. Being able to provide good, relevant evidence shows that a writer
knows what he or she is talking about. Strong evidence also convinces readers that
a specific claim is true or acceptable.

Writers use strong, relevant evidence to prove their claims are true .

Summary
Evidence is a piece of information that supports a claim. Facts, statistics, examples,
and expert opinions are all types of evidence. A writer's own opinion is not a good
form of evidence.

When you evaluate evidence, you decide whether it effectively supports a claim.
Evidence must be relevant, or related, to the topic being discussed.

Writers use evidence to convince readers that they know what they are talking
about, and that their claims are true.