Supporting claims.
WHAT NEEDS SUPPORT
Every claim that is not obviously true.
WHAT COUNTS AS SUPPORT
Published research Data Documented examples Authoritative sources
WHAT DOES NOT
Assertion Common belief A single anecdote
WHAT AN EXAMPLE DOES
Illustrates a point.
WHAT IT DOES NOT DO
Prove it.
WHY THAT MATTERS
One case shows something is possible, not that it is typical.
WHAT TO DO WITH EVIDENCE
Present it, then explain what it shows and how it supports your point.
WHY THAT EXPLANATION
Evidence does not speak for itself, and the connection is what demonstrates your thinking.
WHAT TO AVOID
Long quotations doing your work Evidence dropped in without comment Selecting only supporting evidence
THAT LAST ONE
Address contrary evidence, or its absence will be noticed.
WHAT TO CHECK
That every claim has support, and every piece of evidence has a purpose.
WHAT TO CUT
Evidence serving no argument, however interesting.
