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Types of Supporting Material Facts and Statistics Facts and Statistics Testimony Testimony Examples Examples Narratives Narratives Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Facts and Statistics Most objective type of support Most objective type of support Can be independently verified Can be independently verified Statistics are numerical facts Statistics are numerical facts Important for unfamiliar topics Important for unfamiliar topics Important for controversial topics Important for controversial topics Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Facts Can be shown true or false Can be shown true or false Can be compromised by adding opinions Can be compromised by adding opinions Must usually rely on others to verify Must usually rely on others to verify Can be influenced by cultural environment Can be influenced by cultural environment Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Statistics Numerical facts Numerical facts Describe size Describe size Illustrate trends Illustrate trends Make predictions Make predictions Show relationships Show relationships Round off numbers to simply show magnitude Round off numbers to simply show magnitude Use precise figures when topic is controversial Use precise figures when topic is controversial Use care when truncating graphs Use care when truncating graphs Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Statistics

Statistics

Evaluating Facts and Statistics Relevance to purpose Relevance to purpose Recency of data Recency of data Representative of subject Representative of subject From credible sources From credible sources Consistent with other reports Consistent with other reports Free from bias Free from bias Complete information Complete information Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Using Facts and Statistics Check with several sources to verify Check with several sources to verify Seek sources with no vested interest Seek sources with no vested interest Do not distort the meaning of information Do not distort the meaning of information Provide the latest data available Provide the latest data available Supplement with examples Supplement with examples Clarify with presentation aids Clarify with presentation aids Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Ways to Use Factual Data Definitions translate into listeners’ language Definitions translate into listeners’ language Explanations add more detail Explanations add more detail Clarify ideas Clarify ideas Demonstrate how something works Demonstrate how something works Descriptions provide word pictures Descriptions provide word pictures Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Testimony Cites words or ideas of others Cites words or ideas of others Provides witnesses in your behalf Provides witnesses in your behalf Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Expert Testimony From those qualified to speak on topic From those qualified to speak on topic Lets you “borrow” credibility Lets you “borrow” credibility Important with certain types of topics Important with certain types of topics Innovative topics Innovative topics Unfamiliar topics Unfamiliar topics Technical topics Technical topics Controversial topics Controversial topics Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Lay Testimony Voice of “the people” Voice of “the people” Adds authenticity Adds authenticity Adds compassion Adds compassion Often addresses consequences Often addresses consequences Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Prestige Testimony Respected public figures Respected public figures Not necessarily expert in topic area Not necessarily expert in topic area Source of inspiration Source of inspiration Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Using Testimony Select sources listeners respect Select sources listeners respect Quote or paraphrase accurately Quote or paraphrase accurately Point out qualifications of source Point out qualifications of source Use only expert testimony to validate ideas Use only expert testimony to validate ideas Use lay testimony to build identification Use lay testimony to build identification Use prestige testimony to enhance ideas Use prestige testimony to enhance ideas Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Examples Verbal illustrations for your message Verbal illustrations for your message Clarify ideas Clarify ideas Gain attention Gain attention Sustain interest Sustain interest Personalize topic Personalize topic Suggest an idea is important Suggest an idea is important Aid intercultural understanding Aid intercultural understanding Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Types of Examples Brief examples often mentioned as a series Brief examples often mentioned as a series Extended examples contain more detail Extended examples contain more detail Factual examples about real people or events Factual examples about real people or events Hypothetical examples represent reality Hypothetical examples represent reality Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Selecting an Example Is it relevant? Is it relevant? Is it representative of reality? Is it representative of reality? Will it aid understanding? Will it aid understanding? Will it make ideas memorable? Will it make ideas memorable? Is it believable? Is it believable? Is it appropriate for my audience? Is it appropriate for my audience? Is it in good taste? Is it in good taste? Is it interesting? Is it interesting? Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Narratives Tell a story to illustrate an idea Tell a story to illustrate an idea Involve listeners in creating meaning Involve listeners in creating meaning Help recall past and envision future Help recall past and envision future Set a mood for a speech Set a mood for a speech Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Types of Narratives Embedded narrative Embedded narrative Vicarious experience narrative Vicarious experience narrative Master narrative Master narrative Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Techniques for Using Supporting Materials Comparison to something familiar Comparison to something familiar Contrast to emphasize differences Contrast to emphasize differences Analogy Analogy Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Ethical Use of Supporting Materials Document date and source of information Document date and source of information Don’t pass off opinions as facts Don’t pass off opinions as facts Interpret statistics fairly Interpret statistics fairly Avoid using biased information Avoid using biased information Don’t quote out of context Don’t quote out of context Use examples that reflect reality Use examples that reflect reality Inform listeners of hypothetical examples Inform listeners of hypothetical examples Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Support Controversial Ideas With Facts Facts Statistics Statistics Factual examples Factual examples Expert testimony Expert testimony Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Clarify Abstract Ideas With Examples Examples Narratives Narratives Comparisons Comparisons Contrasts Contrasts Analogies Analogies Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

With Technical Material Use Facts Facts Statistics Statistics Expert testimony Expert testimony Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

To Arouse Emotions Use Lay testimony Lay testimony Prestige testimony Prestige testimony Examples Examples Narratives Narratives Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

To Defuse Emotions Use Facts Facts Statistics Statistics Expert testimony Expert testimony Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

With Novel Ideas Use Comparisons Comparisons Contrasts Contrasts Analogies Analogies Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009

Deciding What Support to Use Choose impressive supporting materials impressive supporting materials memorable supporting materials memorable supporting materials credible supporting materials credible supporting materials supporting materials that lead to action supporting materials that lead to action Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2009