3.4 Using sufficient evidence for an argument

This guide will go over how to use sufficient evidence for an argument.

Tips when Incorporating Evidence

The argumentative essay is one of three essays that a test taker will have to write in the AP English and Composotion exam. It is cruicial that the evidence you use helps support the claim that you are trying to make. The following tips include good practices and thing to keep in mind when incorporating evidence in general: 

1. Choose reliable sources: When using evidence, it is important to choose reliable sources that can support your argument. This could be academic journals, peer-reviewed studies, news articles from reputable sources, and government websites.
2. Use a variety of sources: To make your argument stronger, it is important to use a variety of sources that support your argument. This could include statistics, expert opinions, and real-life examples.
3. Quote or paraphrase: When using evidence, it is important to either quote or paraphrase the information. This shows that you have done your research and are using credible sources to support your argument.
4. Analyze the evidence: It is not enough to simply provide evidence. You must also analyze the evidence and explain how it supports your argument. This involves explaining what the evidence means, why it is relevant, and how it helps you to make your point.
5. Use evidence throughout your essay: Evidence should not be limited to a single paragraph in your essay. Instead, it should be used throughout your essay to support each point that you make.
6. Keep the evidence relevant: When using evidence, it is important to ensure that it is relevant to your argument. Evidence that is not relevant to your argument will not help to strengthen your case.

Finding Evidence that Supports Your Claim

Above all, it is important to add evidence that supports your claim. Here a few ways to do so:

1. Identify the main argument: Before picking evidence, it is important to understand what your main argument is. This will help you to determine what type of evidence will be most relevant and effective.
2. Consider the audience: Consider the audience that you are writing for and what type of evidence will be most persuasive for them. For example, if you are writing for a scientific audience, data and statistics will be more effective than personal anecdotes.
3. Look for credible sources: When picking evidence, it is important to choose credible sources that will support your argument. This could include academic journals, peer-reviewed studies, news articles from reputable sources, and government websites.
4. Analyze the evidence: Before using evidence, it is important to analyze it and determine whether it is relevant to your argument. This involves understanding what the evidence means, why it is relevant, and how it supports your claim.
5. Consider the strength of the evidence: Not all evidence is created equal. Consider the strength of the evidence that you are using and how it will help you to make your point. For example, data from a well-conducted study will be more persuasive than anecdotal evidence.
6. Use a variety of evidence: To make your argument stronger, it is important to use a variety of evidence that supports your claim. This could include statistics, expert opinions, and real-life examples.
7. Keep the evidence relevant: Ensure that the evidence that you are using is relevant to your argument. Evidence that is not relevant will not help to strengthen your case.

In conclusion, by using credible sources, analyzing the evidence, and considering the relevance to the argument, we can effectively choose and use sufficient evidence to support our claims and strengthen our essays.