SUPPORTING THE THESIS WITH EVIDENCE

What is evidence?-reasons

-examples

-facts

-details

-statistics

-personal observation or experience

-anecdotes

-quotations

How do you find evidence

Tap into personal experiences/observations through prewriting

Library and/or Internet

Consider your pattern of development

Characteristics of Evidence

Evidence is relevant and unified- It must support the thesis- Remove material that does not support your

point Evidence is specific- Specific, concrete evidence provides word

pictures Evidence is adequate- Provide enough specific evidence to support

your thesis

Evidence is dramatic- Dramatize reality (don’t exaggerate; use powerful words)

Evidence is accurate- Honesty- even in faction

Evidence is representative- Rely on the typical not the exception to prove your

point

Evidence is documented- Acknowledge information that you get from outside

sources- Mention the source and author (date if relevant)- Formal research requires more detailed documentation