Argument Analysis: Strengthening with Evidence

Methods in this video

Tap a time to jump to where the video teaches that method.

1. 1

   Find real evidence for the claim

   ▶ 1:13

   When to use it: The question asks which statement best supports someone's claim, and the claim is an opinion: something is useful, harmful or important, or has an effect (flowers aren't just pretty, they help us in practical ways; making things a little tricky is important). There is no "what to do → what they want" line to fill.

   • Read and jot: who said it and what they said, cut to one short line, underlined.
   • Treat each option as true and say, "Because of this, they are right." If it fits, draw a reason arrow pointing to their claim.
   • Being on the topic is not the same as helping: popularity, history, a definition, a list of examples or "children are different" are not reasons.
2. 2

   The evidence must be as big as the claim

   ▶ 4:33

   When to use it: The question asks which statement best supports the claim, and the claim has a size: "most effective" or "better" (what is compared), "the whole family", "everyone" or "even …" (who is included). Some options give only a general benefit or convenience, or help only some of the people.

   • Circle how big the claim is: most, the whole family, everyone (who is included, what is compared).
   • Find an equally big word in the reason: most ↔ biggest, whole family ↔ everyone. Join the two circles.
   • Helping a little is not enough: easy ≠ most effective, and helping some people ≠ helping the whole family.