Linking Evidence and Claims Writing Analytically

The Function of Evidence A common assumption about evidence is that it is the stuff that proves Im right. A common assumption about evidence is that it is the stuff that proves Im right. Although this way of thinking about evidence is not wrong, it is much too limited. Although this way of thinking about evidence is not wrong, it is much too limited. Corroboration (proving the validity of a claim) is one of the functions of evidence, but not the only one. Corroboration (proving the validity of a claim) is one of the functions of evidence, but not the only one.

Prove The word prove actually comes from a Latin verb meaning to test. The word prove actually comes from a Latin verb meaning to test. The noun form of proof has two meanings: (1) evidence sufficient to establish a thing as true or believable, (2) the act of testing for truth or believability. The noun form of proof has two meanings: (1) evidence sufficient to establish a thing as true or believable, (2) the act of testing for truth or believability. Operating on the first definition alone leads to closed down thinking. Operating on the first definition alone leads to closed down thinking.

Fallacy: facts can speak for themselves. Evidence rarely, if ever, can be left to speak for itself. Evidence rarely, if ever, can be left to speak for itself. The word evident comes from a Latin verb meaning to see. The word evident comes from a Latin verb meaning to see. When a writer leaves evidence to speak for itself, he or she is assuming that it can be interpreted in only one way, and that readers will think as the writer does. When a writer leaves evidence to speak for itself, he or she is assuming that it can be interpreted in only one way, and that readers will think as the writer does.

Make the implicit explicit The thought connections that have occurred to you will not automatically occur to others The thought connections that have occurred to you will not automatically occur to others In science, writers present evidence and then interpret it. In science, writers present evidence and then interpret it. In the humanities, writers interpret the evidence as it is presented. In the humanities, writers interpret the evidence as it is presented. AVOID unsubstantiated claims and pointless evidence AVOID unsubstantiated claims and pointless evidence

Linking Evidence and Claims Link (crucial site of connection) Claim Evidence

evidence vs. claims facts vs. judgments The owners are ruining baseball in America. Although they claim they are losing money, they are really just being greedy. A few years ago, they fired the commissioner, Fay Vincent, because he took the players side. Baseball is a sport, not a business, and it is a sad fact that it is being threatened by greedy businessmen. The owners are ruining baseball in America. Although they claim they are losing money, they are really just being greedy. A few years ago, they fired the commissioner, Fay Vincent, because he took the players side. Baseball is a sport, not a business, and it is a sad fact that it is being threatened by greedy businessmen.

Give Evidence a Point Problem: Presenting a mass of evidence without explaining how it relates to the claim Problem: Presenting a mass of evidence without explaining how it relates to the claim Solution: Make details speak. Explain how evidence confirms and qualifies the claim. Solution: Make details speak. Explain how evidence confirms and qualifies the claim.

Nothing but evidence Baseball is a sport, not a business, and it is sad that it is threatened by greedy businessmen. For example, Eli Jacobs, the previous owner of the Baltimore Orioles, recently sold the team to Peter Angelos for one hundred million dollars more than he spent ten years earlier. Also, new generation baseball stadiums have been built that are enormously expensive and luxurious. The average baseball player meanwhile, earns more that a million dollars a year, and they all have agents. Baseball is a sport, not a business, and it is sad that it is threatened by greedy businessmen. For example, Eli Jacobs, the previous owner of the Baltimore Orioles, recently sold the team to Peter Angelos for one hundred million dollars more than he spent ten years earlier. Also, new generation baseball stadiums have been built that are enormously expensive and luxurious. The average baseball player meanwhile, earns more that a million dollars a year, and they all have agents.

The function of Conclusions Readers want 3 things: a judgment, a culmination, and a send-off. Judgment: final judgment on the claim that is the focus of the paper. Often repeats some key terms from first paragraph. Explicitly revisits the claim for why it matters. Culmination: to culminate is the reach the highest point, and it implies a mountain of information that you have scaled. Bring things together and ascend to one final statement. Send-off: both social and conceptual, an opening outward of the topic that leads the reader out of the paper with something further to think about, often a universal theme.