1.2 Examining how evidence supports a claim
2 min read•january 26, 2023
Sahithi Morla
Sahithi Morla
Welcome to Topic 1.2! In this guide, we will explore how pieces of evidence can support a claim.
What is a Claim?
A claim is a statement or argument made in an essay or other written work. It can be a statement of fact, an interpretation, a value judgment, or a policy proposal. The purpose of making a claim is to take a stance on an issue and to support that stance with evidence and reasoning. The claim is typically the essay's central argument or main idea, and the rest of the essay is used to support and develop the claim.
What is Evidence?
Evidence refers to the facts, examples, statistics, or other information used to support a claim or argument in an essay or other written work. The purpose of using evidence is to strengthen the claim by providing specific and relevant information that supports the argument. Evidence can include direct quotations or summaries of information from primary texts, secondary sources, statistics, expert testimony, examples from personal experience or observations, and so on. The evidence must be incorporated logically and clearly and be credible and relevant to the claim.
How Does Evidence Support a Claim?
Evidence can support a claim by providing specific, relevant, and credible information that helps demonstrate the claim's truth or validity and advance an argument.
To support a claim, evidence should be directly related to the claim. It should establish a causal relationship between the claim and the evidence. For example, if the claim is that a certain policy will reduce crime, evidence that crime rates have decreased in similar jurisdictions where the policy has been implemented can support the claim.
It is also essential to use different types of evidence, such as facts, statistics, expert opinions, and examples, to provide a well-rounded and convincing argument. Evidence should be used in a way that is logical and clear, with transitions between pieces of evidence that help to establish connections and build a strong argument.
TL;DR
It is important to use evidence in a way that is logical and clear, with transitions between pieces of evidence that help to establish connections and build a strong argument. Using evidence to support claims helps to demonstrate your understanding of the text in the AP exam's free-response section.
Key Terms to Review (12)
Argument
: An argument is a logical and persuasive presentation of ideas or claims supported by evidence. It involves presenting a claim and providing reasons and evidence to convince the audience.Causal Relationship
: A causal relationship refers to a cause-and-effect connection between two or more variables, where changes in one variable directly influence changes in another variable.Central Argument
: The central argument refers to the main point or thesis statement of an essay or speech. It encapsulates the author's stance on a given topic and guides all subsequent arguments and evidence presented.Claim
: A claim is a statement that asserts a position or belief about a particular topic. It serves as the main point or thesis of an argument and requires support from evidence.Evidence
: Evidence refers to the information or data that supports a claim or argument. It is used to persuade the audience and make the argument more convincing.Examples
: Examples are specific instances used to illustrate or clarify a concept or idea. They provide concrete evidence and make abstract concepts more relatable and understandable.Facts
: Facts are objective pieces of information that can be proven or verified. They are based on evidence and are not influenced by personal opinions or beliefs.Main Idea
: The main idea represents the central point or message that an author wants readers to take away from a text. It summarizes the overall purpose or focus of a piece of writing.Personal Experience
: Personal experience refers to the firsthand knowledge or understanding gained through one's own encounters, actions, or involvement in a particular situation or event.Policy Proposal
: A policy proposal is a formal suggestion or recommendation for a course of action to address a specific issue or problem.Primary Texts
: Primary texts are original sources that provide firsthand information or direct evidence about a particular topic. They are created by individuals who directly experienced or witnessed the events being discussed.Statistics
: Statistics refer to numerical data collected from observations or experiments used for analysis and interpretation. They help us understand patterns, trends, relationships, and make informed decisions based on evidence.1.2 Examining how evidence supports a claim
2 min read•january 26, 2023
Sahithi Morla
Sahithi Morla
Welcome to Topic 1.2! In this guide, we will explore how pieces of evidence can support a claim.
What is a Claim?
A claim is a statement or argument made in an essay or other written work. It can be a statement of fact, an interpretation, a value judgment, or a policy proposal. The purpose of making a claim is to take a stance on an issue and to support that stance with evidence and reasoning. The claim is typically the essay's central argument or main idea, and the rest of the essay is used to support and develop the claim.
What is Evidence?
Evidence refers to the facts, examples, statistics, or other information used to support a claim or argument in an essay or other written work. The purpose of using evidence is to strengthen the claim by providing specific and relevant information that supports the argument. Evidence can include direct quotations or summaries of information from primary texts, secondary sources, statistics, expert testimony, examples from personal experience or observations, and so on. The evidence must be incorporated logically and clearly and be credible and relevant to the claim.
How Does Evidence Support a Claim?
Evidence can support a claim by providing specific, relevant, and credible information that helps demonstrate the claim's truth or validity and advance an argument.
To support a claim, evidence should be directly related to the claim. It should establish a causal relationship between the claim and the evidence. For example, if the claim is that a certain policy will reduce crime, evidence that crime rates have decreased in similar jurisdictions where the policy has been implemented can support the claim.
It is also essential to use different types of evidence, such as facts, statistics, expert opinions, and examples, to provide a well-rounded and convincing argument. Evidence should be used in a way that is logical and clear, with transitions between pieces of evidence that help to establish connections and build a strong argument.
TL;DR
It is important to use evidence in a way that is logical and clear, with transitions between pieces of evidence that help to establish connections and build a strong argument. Using evidence to support claims helps to demonstrate your understanding of the text in the AP exam's free-response section.
Key Terms to Review (12)
Argument
: An argument is a logical and persuasive presentation of ideas or claims supported by evidence. It involves presenting a claim and providing reasons and evidence to convince the audience.Causal Relationship
: A causal relationship refers to a cause-and-effect connection between two or more variables, where changes in one variable directly influence changes in another variable.Central Argument
: The central argument refers to the main point or thesis statement of an essay or speech. It encapsulates the author's stance on a given topic and guides all subsequent arguments and evidence presented.Claim
: A claim is a statement that asserts a position or belief about a particular topic. It serves as the main point or thesis of an argument and requires support from evidence.Evidence
: Evidence refers to the information or data that supports a claim or argument. It is used to persuade the audience and make the argument more convincing.Examples
: Examples are specific instances used to illustrate or clarify a concept or idea. They provide concrete evidence and make abstract concepts more relatable and understandable.Facts
: Facts are objective pieces of information that can be proven or verified. They are based on evidence and are not influenced by personal opinions or beliefs.Main Idea
: The main idea represents the central point or message that an author wants readers to take away from a text. It summarizes the overall purpose or focus of a piece of writing.Personal Experience
: Personal experience refers to the firsthand knowledge or understanding gained through one's own encounters, actions, or involvement in a particular situation or event.Policy Proposal
: A policy proposal is a formal suggestion or recommendation for a course of action to address a specific issue or problem.Primary Texts
: Primary texts are original sources that provide firsthand information or direct evidence about a particular topic. They are created by individuals who directly experienced or witnessed the events being discussed.Statistics
: Statistics refer to numerical data collected from observations or experiments used for analysis and interpretation. They help us understand patterns, trends, relationships, and make informed decisions based on evidence.
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