Quick Clues
A report states that Earth revolves around the Sun. Which type of evidence is this?
Factual evidence. (It presents verifiable information.)
'My grandfather lived to 95 while eating vegetables every day. Therefore, vegetables guarantee a long life.' What type of evidence is used?
Anecdotal evidence. (It draws on one person's experience.)
Which type relies on a personal experience rather than a large sample or a professional's statement?
Anecdotal evidence.
(A personal story is its defining feature.)
A student says, 'My cousin tried this study app and earned a high grade, so everyone who uses it will earn high grades.' Is this strong evidence for the claim about everyone?
No. It is anecdotal evidence, and one experience cannot establish a result for everyone.
The conclusion is broader than the evidence supports.
A student claims, 'Our school has the best reading program because I love it.' Identify the evidence and explain why the support is limited.
Anecdotal evidence; personal preference does not prove the program is the best.
The student's experience or opinion cannot establish a comparative claim.
A survey of 500 learners finds that 68% prefer printed books. Which type of evidence is this?
Statistical evidence. (It uses numerical data and a percentage.)
A published school record confirms that 1,200 learners enrolled this year. What type of evidence is most directly presented?
Factual evidence. (The official record verifies a specific fact.)
A newspaper says, 'Eight out of ten surveyed teenagers use social media daily.' Why is this statistical rather than anecdotal evidence?
Because it summarizes numerical survey results rather than one person's story.
(The main support is quantified data.)
A speaker claims most learners prefer online classes but cites a survey of only four friends. What is the main weakness?
The sample is too small and may not represent most learners.
Statistical evidence depends on the quality and representativeness of the sample.
A writer argues that handwashing reduces illness, using a health expert's explanation and school illness records. Identify the two types of evidence.
Testimonial and factual evidence.
The expert provides a professional statement; the records provide verifiable information.
A dentist explains that brushing twice a day helps prevent tooth decay. Which type is primarily used?
Testimonial evidence. (The claim is supported by a relevant professional's statement.)
A research report says that 42 out of 60 students improved their scores after regular practice. Which type of evidence is most prominent?
Statistical evidence. (The support centers on numerical results.)
A science textbook states that the human heart has four chambers. No personal story or expert quotation is given. Which type best fits?
Factual evidence.
(It presents a verifiable statement as a fact.)
A celebrity with no medical training says a drink cures disease. What is the main weakness of using this statement as support?
The speaker lacks relevant medical expertise, and the claim needs reliable scientific evidence.
Fame alone does not establish expertise or prove a medical claim.
A report shows that reported absences fell by 25% after a hygiene campaign. What type of evidence is this, and what can it establish?
Statistical evidence; it shows a numerical change, but does not by itself prove the campaign caused it.
A before-and-after comparison alone cannot rule out other explanations.
A learner says, 'I began reading every night, and my vocabulary improved.' Which type of evidence supports the claim?
Anecdotal evidence. (It relies on an individual's personal experience.)
A licensed psychologist explains in an interview how stress can affect concentration. What type of evidence is being used?
Testimonial evidence. (The writer relies on a relevant expert's statement.)
Both an expert interview and a personal diary describe the benefits of exercise. Which is testimonial, and which is anecdotal?
The expert interview is testimonial; the personal diary is anecdotal.
(One relies on a person's relevant expertise; the other on an individual's experience.)
A writer claims a school program improved attendance and provides verified attendance records from before and after the program. Is this stronger support than one student's story? Explain.
Generally, yes, for a school-wide attendance claim, because verified records cover broader results. Other factors must still be considered.
The evidence is more directly relevant to the broad numerical claim, although it may not prove causation.
A writer quotes one expert who disagrees with several well-supported research findings. Is the quotation alone enough to settle the issue? Explain.
No. Testimonial evidence should be evaluated alongside relevant research and other reliable evidence.
An expert quotation alone does not automatically outweigh stronger or broader evidence.
A school report contains an official enrollment record, a percentage of attendance, a teacher's expert explanation, and a learner's personal story. Name all four types in the order given.
Factual, statistical, testimonial, anecdotal. (Identify the main form of support each example uses.)
A student interviews a doctor, then adds the doctor's exact statement to an essay. The student does not include the doctor's research data. What type of evidence is the quotation?
Testimonial evidence. (The support is the doctor's statement, not numerical data.)
A witness describes what she saw during an event. Another source provides an official video recording of the same event. Which is testimonial, and which is factual evidence?
The witness's statement is testimonial; the recording is factual evidence when used to verify what occurred.
(The first is a person's account; the second is a record that can be examined for verification.)
A survey shows that 90% of respondents favor a school rule. Does this prove the rule is effective? Why or why not?
No. It shows respondents' support, not whether the rule achieves its intended results.
Evidence must support the specific claim being made.
A principal claims that a new reading program works. You can collect only ONE of these: a learner's success story, an expert's opinion, the percentage of learners whose scores improved, or a verified record of one learner's score. Which would you choose to evaluate overall effectiveness, and why?
The percentage of learners whose scores improved, provided the data are collected reliably and compared appropriately.
Statistical evidence can show the overall pattern across learners. A stronger evaluation would also consider a comparison group and other factors.