Providing Evidence and Examples

Significance of Providing Evidence

Including real-world examples humanizes the issues the argument is addressing, providing relatability for the audience. Relatability may either enhance understanding or evoke an emotional response depending on the type of example used, which the author must strategically choose based on their goal. This increases the argument’s relevance, as the audience may connect the topic to their own life, gaining engagement and understanding. Explaining the real-life consequences of the issue through examples can convince the audience to agree with the essay’s argument and even care more urgently. By providing evidence, authors utilize a persuasive tool that strengthens their argument and gains support from a wide-ranging audience, therefore proving significance.

Methods of Providing Evidence

There are three methods to provide evidence: summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting. Although similar, each method has a distinct purpose and way of executing. Each of these methods requires proper in-text citation, regardless of whether or not the exact wording from a source is used. Lack of appropriate in-text citations has consequences, like plagiarism penalties.

Summarizing

To summarize is to condense written work into a smaller, more concise text summary while maintaining its meaning. According to Kurt Schick and Laura Schubert, there are five steps to the summarization process: reading the text, identifying the main ideas, picking the most relevant points, writing the summary, and revising the summary (49-50). To determine what is significant enough to include in a summarization, identify what information supports the main purpose or claim being argued.

✅Best for:

Addressing a brief overview of a source
Simplifying complex information for improved readability of the text
Emphasizing the significant meaning of a text by including key points

❌Mistakes When Summarizing:

Too many unnecessary details
Copying words directly by not using one's own words (leads to plagiarism)

Example: See figure to the right ("Academic Integrity of MIT")

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is rewriting another author's argument or support in one's own words. To effectively execute this, it is important to maintain the original meaning through rephrasing. The structure, arrangement of words, and phrasing must be altered to paraphrase correctly.

✅Best for:

Clarifying complex ideas
Incorporating expert opinions in one's writing
Avoiding too many direct quotes

❌Mistakes when Paraphrasing:

Replacing words with synonyms (this is not enough for correct paraphrasing)
Copying the same sentence structure
Lack of proper citation

Example: See figure to the left ("Academic Integrity of MIT")

Quoting

Quoting is when an author includes another author's work using their exact wording, quotation marks, and the proper MLA citation. Use quotes when the author's words are powerful and necessary. Overusing direct quotes as evidence can be redundant and less meaningful to an argument.

✅Best for:

Incorporating expert opinions on an argument
Preserving significance of the original wording
Analyzing specific word choice

❌Mistakes when Quoting:

Overuse of direct quotes
Failure to introduce the quote properly
Failure to properly cite the source

Example: See figure to the right ("Academic Integrity of MIT")

"RELIABLE" Sources

Wikipedia - Articles on Wikipedia are typically well-referenced with citations from reputable sources. If the citations themselves are from reputable sources, Wikipedia can be used as a good starting point for research, but should not be quoted.

Example - "People must be able to check that any of the information within Wikipedia articles is not just made up. This means all material must be attributable to reliable, published sources. Additionally, quotations and any material challenged or likely to be challenged must be supported by inline citations." ("Wikipedia:Verifiability" np)

Associated Press- They focus on presenting facts without bias, offering both sides of the story when possible. Information is verified before publishing which minimizes the risk of spreading misinformation.

Example - "Under no circumstances can news releases be published in their original form; we can use information, quotes and properly cleared images from releases, but we must judge the material’s credibility, augment it with information from other sources, and then prepare our own stories, with the release material duly credited." ("Telling the Story" np)

Social Media - Social Media can be a great source of reliable information from credible accounts run by government agencies or organizations, scientists and field experts as well as a great way to find individuals sharing their first hand experiences on issues.

Example - Agencies like the CDC, WHO, or government departments post updates, announcements, and public health information.

OneSearch - OneSearch is a great way to find academic journals, government publications, books and articles that have already been verified and pre-approved by academic libraries/databases.

Example - "With OneSearch, you’re searching only resources identified as appropriate for researchers, not the entire Internet. So, your search results are focused on scholarly content that is much more trustworthy." (Brown np)

Versus

"UNRELIABLE" Sources

Wikipedia - Wikipedia is written by volunteers, the information provided may include biases or lack a balanced perspective. Ensure the cited sources are reliable before using in your essay. Information may also be outdated, especially for rapidly evolving news stories and issues.

Example - "In July 2008, a 17-year-old student added an invented nickname to the Wikipedia article coati as a private joke, calling them "Brazilian aardvarks". The false information lasted for six years and was propagated by hundreds of websites, several newspapers, and even a few books published by university presses." ("Reliability of Wikipedia" np)

Fox News - Fox News faces many allegations of political bias, spreading misinformation and a general lack of fact checking when publishing their news.

Example - Fox News aired numerous segments promoting the false idea that the 2020 presidential election was "unfair", despite a lack of credible evidence.

Social Media - Social Media algorithms are programed to show you content that aligns with your interest and opinions, which can lead to biases. Social media is open to all, which means that anyone can share information, which leads to a rapid spread of unverified and misinformed news.

Example - People with no medical credentials have the ability to give misinformed "medical advice" to the trusting and unsuspecting public.

Google - Google allows for paid ads to be among organic searches, as well as allows companies to pay for higher rankings on the results being displayed. Google attempts to satisfy your request with key words, regardless if the content is credible or factual.

Example - Google allows the highest bidder to have the #1 ranking for specific searches, regardless or accuracy or integrety of the content.

Providing Evidence Using the Uneven-U Model

Gaining insight into the uneven U is crucial for determining the appropriate timing to provide evidence and examples. Readers can read more effectively and understand the arguments being made by following the uneven U's structure. To ensure that the evidence is understood, the author(s) of the source major argument should be stated in the sentence preceding the evidence, providing some background information (Level 2). Using a transitional word to present the evidence occurs after providing context (Level 1). Immediately following the presentation of the evidence, clearly express and explain the primary point while connecting the argument to the claim. (Level 2). The argument is then compelling because the uneven U shaped structure makes the evidence sound clear and allows readers to understand the primary point completely. Read more on what the uneven paragraph structure is here.

Common Mistakes

- Failing to Properly Credit Sources:
  - Using evidence without correct citations results in plagiarism, which is detrimental to credibility and has academic consequences. Regardless of the method used (summarizing, paraphrasing, or quoting), it must be properly credited to the source.
  - Tip: Use MLA format (or other required citation style) to cite sources. Ensure proper use for both the Work Cited page and in-text citations.
- Using Unreliable Sources:
  - A strong essay requires reliable sources to back up an argument. Using sources that are not reliable and lack credibility misleads readers and weakens an argument.
  - Tip: Refer to "Reliable versus Unreliable Sources" section above for guidance.
- Taking Evidence Out of Context:
  - Quoting a source or pulling evidence from a source incorrectly misrepresents the original text's meaning. Ultimately, a lack of understanding of a source harms credibility and can weaken support for the argument.
  - Tip: Be thorough by reading the full source before using evidence. Use evidence carefully and intentionally, do not distort evidence to fit an argument.
- Making Broad Assumptions
  - Overgeneralizing evidence weakens an argument, each claim made should be supported in detail and specificity. Broad assumptions have the potential to contradict an argument because there is too much room for interpretation. This may cause the readers to interpret the evidence incorrectly.
  - Tip: Be precise and use specific examples. Avoid general words like "always," everyone," "all," or "never".
- Ignoring Counterarguments:
  - Failing to address alternative perspectives and counter evidence indicates an essay that is biased and not researched to the full extent.
  - Tip: Present the counterargument accurately using reliable evidence, and refute with additional evidence.
  - However, counterargument is not always necessary. One can be included if the topic is debatable, or if an opposing perspective will strengthen an essay for the audience.
- Over-Reliance on Anecdotes:
  - Although persuasive, personal experiences should not replace data. Evidence and claims should be supported with substantial and applicable data. Personal anecdotes are subjective, and do not always represent a verifiable truth.
  - Tip: Balance evidence that includes scientific research or studies with personal anecdotes to incorporate sufficient data. If personal anecdotes are included, ensure they serve a clear purpose.
- Failing to Explain Relevance of Evidence to the Argument:
  - A strong essay connects each piece of evidence to the thesis or specific points. Explain in-depth why the evidence provided is important to the argument and the significance. Evidence that is irrelevant to the thesis can make an essay feel disconnected and distract readers from the main argument.
  - Tip: Reread the evidence to ensure relevance to the thesis, and analyze in depth. Ask oneself: "Why is this piece of evidence important?", and "How does this evidence support/connect to my thesis?"
- Oversimplifying Complexity:
  - Arguments involve multiple factors. Reducing the information to a single cause-and-effect relationship can weaken the argument's importance. Effective essays are not one-dimensional, but address complexity to make arguments transparent and stronger.
  - Tip: Acknowledge several factors of an argument. Avoid phrases like "the single cause" or "the only reason".

Knowing how to present information more effectively helps support the argument. Avoiding these common mistakes makes an essay more credible, persuasive, and relevant. It is crucial to proofread an essay several times to ensure the correction of these common mistakes.

Conclusion

The Providing Evidence and Examples webpage outlines the importance of using evidence in persuasive writing, focusing on the three main methods: summarizing, paraphrasing and quoting. Each method has a specific purpose, with summarizing condensing information, paraphrasing rephrasing ideas in one's own words, and quoting using exact wording for impact. The effective use of evidence enhances an argument's clarity and persuasiveness while while ensuring the audience's engagement. Proper citation of sources is crucial to avoid plagiarism and maintain credibility. Additionally, the "Uneven-U" model is introduced as an effective structure for presenting evidence, ensuring clarity and understanding. The text also highlights common mistakes, such as using unreliable sources, over-relying on anecdotes, or failing to explain evidence's relevance, and offers tips to avoid them. Overall, it emphasizes the importance of presenting well-researched, properly cited evidence and maintaining logical coherence in arguments.

Works Cited

Academic Integrity at MIT. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, integrity.mit.edu/. Accessed 10 March 2025.

Baade, Robert. “Mega Sporting Events in Developing Nations: Plating the Way to Prosperity?”

Economics Department Working Papers, 1 September 2004, pp. 1084-1095.

Baade, Robert, Victor Matheson. “The Economics of the Olympics.” Journal of Economic

Perspectives, vol. 30, no. 2, Spring 2016, pp. 201-218.

“Credible Sources 101: 60 Reliable Websites for Students | Blog StudyCorgi.com | Blog StudyCorgi.” StudyCorgi, 21 November 2023, https://studycorgi.com/blog/credible- sources-101-how-to-evaluate-them-reliable-websites-for-students/. Accessed 15 March 2024.

Hayot, Eric. The Elements of Academic Style : Writing for the Humanities. Columbia University Press, 2014.

“Library Guides: Distinguish between Primary and Secondary Sources: Home.” Home Distinguish Between Primary and Secondary Sources - Library Guides at University of California, Santa Cruz, guides.library.ucsc.edu/primarysecondary. Accessed 10 Mar. 2024.

Schick, Kurt, and Laura Schubert. So What?: CH 2 “How Do We Build Arguments?” pp. 37-50.

Pandolfo, Chris, "DeSantis: 2020 election was 'unfair', but fraud claims are 'unsubstantiated'" Fox News Media, Fox News, 5 August 2023,

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/desantis-2020-election-unfair-fraud-claims-unsubstantiated

"Reliability of Wikipedia" Wikipedia, 19 May 2014, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliability_of_Wikipedia#cite_note-NewYorker_May19_2014-1 10 March 2025.

"Wikipedia:Verifiability" Wikipedia, 12 March 2025 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability#:~:text=This%20means%20all%20material%20must,comes%20from%20a%20reliable%20source.

"Telling the Story" Associated Press, https://www.ap.org/about/news-values-and-principles/telling-the-story/

"OneSearch-The Digital Front Door to Our Libraries" Smithsonian, 16 May 2014, https://blog.library.si.edu/blog/2014/05/16/onesearch-our-newest-research-tool/

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