Name That Evidence!
"In a speech about perseverance, a motivational speaker shares a story about how they failed their first business but later became successful."
anecdote
"According to the CDC, washing your hands for at least 20 seconds helps prevent the spread of germs."
Fact (Expert Opinion)
Claim: Exercising regularly improves heart health.
A) "I feel more energetic after I go for a run."
B) "According to the American Heart Association, regular exercise reduces the risk of heart disease by 30%."
B (expert opinion)
"A historian writing about the Civil Rights Movement includes details about the Montgomery Bus Boycott and its impact on segregation laws."
historical detail
"In my experience, waking up early makes me feel more productive throughout the day."
feeling (personal observation)
Claim: Deforestation contributes to climate change.
A) "A report from the World Resources Institute states that deforestation leads to increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere because trees absorb CO₂."
B) "A news article states that some countries cut down trees to clear land for agriculture, which can harm local wildlife populations."
A (directly links deforestation to climate change rather than just its effects on wildlife)
"An environmental scientist cites research from NASA that shows rising global temperatures over the past century."
expert opinion
"Studies from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show that global temperatures have risen by 1.5°F over the past century."
fact (expert opinion)
Claim: The Industrial Revolution greatly changed urban life.
A) "Historical records show that between 1800 and 1900, the percentage of people living in cities in England rose from 20% to 75%, largely due to industrialization."
B) "A history textbook describes how new inventions, like the steam engine, were developed during the Industrial Revolution.
A (directly shows the impact on urban life, whereas B focuses on technological development)
An article about healthy eating mentions that in Japan, people tend to live longer because of their traditional diet.
example
"I believe that reading fiction is the best way to improve your imagination and creativity."
feeling (personal observation)
Claim: Factory farming has a significant negative environmental impact.
A) "A 2021 United Nations climate report states that large-scale livestock farming is responsible for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to methane from cattle and deforestation for grazing land."
B) "A research paper published by an agricultural economist found that while factory farms produce more emissions per facility, they also use land and water more efficiently than traditional small-scale farms, making their overall environmental impact more complex."
A (broad, globally recognized scientific report with direct numerical evidence)
A journalist describes their experience traveling through a war-torn country to report on the daily struggles of civilians
personal observation
"During the Renaissance, the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg led to an increase in literacy rates across Europe."
fact (historical detail)
Claim: The Great Depression had a severe impact on American families.
A) "During the Great Depression, U.S. unemployment reached 25%, and many families lost their homes due to financial hardship, according to the National Archives."
B) "Many businesses closed during the Great Depression, and new government programs were introduced to help the economy recover."
A (directly focuses on the impact on families rather than broader economic effects)