The Evidence Trail
This type of evidence uses numbers, percentages, or measurements to provide logical support.
What is Quantitative Data (or Statistics)?
This tone is neutral, unbiased, and sticks strictly to the facts without showing emotion.
What is an Objective tone?
This term refers to the author’s unique way of looking at a topic, shaped by their experiences and values.
What is Perspective (or Point of View)?
This 11-letter word describes the quality of being trusted and believed in.
What is Credibility?
A short, personal story used to make a point, often appealing to the reader's emotions rather than logic.
What is an Anecdote?
Words like "disaster," "miracle," or "vicious" are examples of this type of language, intended to provoke a strong reaction.
What is Loaded Language (or Emotional Diction)?
If an author stands to gain money or power from the argument they are making, they have this "C-word."
What is a Conflict of Interest?
An author who uses an angry, insulting tone toward their opponents usually suffers a decrease in this.
What is Credibility (or Authority)?
When an author only includes facts that support their side while ignoring counter-evidence, they are doing this.
What is Cherry-picking?
An author using "we" and "us" to make the reader feel like they are on the same team is using this type of tone.
What is an Inclusive (or Collaborative) tone?
An author who acknowledges the other side’s valid points before refuting them is showing this perspective.
What is a Balanced (or Nuanced) perspective?
Checking an author’s credentials and where their work was published helps determine this "E-word."
What is Ethos (or Expertise) ?
This term describes evidence that comes from a person with recognized expertise in the specific field being discussed.
What is Expert Testimony?
When an author uses humor or irony to mock or criticize a subject, they are using this specific tone.
What is Satirical (or Sarcastic)?
This is a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience; it's the "dark side" of perspective.
What is Prejudice (or Bias)?
If an author’s evidence is outdated or proven false, their argument is said to be this.
What is Invalid?
If an author provides plenty of evidence but none of it actually relates to the main claim, their argument lacks this "R-word."
What is Relevance?
This is the technical term for the "vibe" created by an author’s word choice (diction) and sentence structure (syntax).
What is Tone?
To find the author's perspective, an investigator should look for this: what the author left out of the story.
What is Omission?
This is the "Gold Standard" for credibility: a process where other experts check a text before it is published.
What is Peer Review?
When an author uses logical evidence, maintains a professional tone, and discloses their perspective clearly, they are maximizing this persuasive appeal.
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What is Ethos? (Or: What is Credibility?)