Read The Sentence.When Organizing An Informational Text, An Author Often Presents Evidence To Support Central Ideas.What Is Evidence?A. Proof Of Something B. A Logical Judgment C. Supporting Opinions D. An Author's Claim
When organizing an informational text, an author often presents evidence to support central ideas. This is a crucial aspect of writing, as it helps readers understand and believe the information being presented. But what exactly is evidence? In this article, we will explore the concept of evidence and its role in informational texts.
What is Evidence?
Evidence is a crucial component of informational texts. It refers to the facts, data, or examples that an author uses to support their claims or central ideas. Evidence can take many forms, including statistics, expert opinions, historical events, and personal experiences. The purpose of evidence is to provide a basis for the author's argument, making it more convincing and credible.
Types of Evidence
There are several types of evidence that authors use in informational texts. Some of the most common types of evidence include:
- Statistics: Numbers and data that support a claim or argument.
- Expert opinions: Statements from experts in a particular field that support a claim or argument.
- Historical events: Events that have occurred in the past that support a claim or argument.
- Personal experiences: The author's own experiences or those of others that support a claim or argument.
- Examples: Specific instances or cases that support a claim or argument.
Why is Evidence Important?
Evidence is essential in informational texts because it helps to establish credibility and trust with the reader. When an author presents evidence to support their claims, it shows that they have done their research and are not just making unsubstantiated statements. Evidence also helps to build a strong argument, making it more convincing and persuasive.
How to Identify Evidence in Informational Texts
Identifying evidence in informational texts can be a challenging task, especially for readers who are not familiar with the topic. Here are some tips to help you identify evidence in informational texts:
- Look for statistics: Check if the author has included any statistics or data to support their claims.
- Check for expert opinions: Look for statements from experts in the field that support the author's claims.
- Check for historical events: Check if the author has included any historical events that support their claims.
- Check for personal experiences: Check if the author has included any personal experiences or those of others that support their claims.
- Check for examples: Check if the author has included any specific instances or cases that support their claims.
Examples of Evidence in Informational Texts
Here are some examples of evidence in informational texts:
- Statistics: "According to a recent study, 75% of people who exercise regularly have lower blood pressure." (This is an example of evidence in the form of statistics.)
- Expert opinions: "Dr. Smith, a leading expert in the field of medicine, states that 'exercise is essential for maintaining good health.'" (This is an example of evidence in the form of expert opinions.)
- Historical events: "The Great Depression of the 1930s was a time of great economic hardship, but it also led to the development of new social programs and policies." (This is an example of evidence in the form of historical events.)
- Personal experiences: "I have seen firsthand the impact of exercise on my own health and well-being. Regular exercise has helped me to lose weight and feel more energetic." (This is an example of evidence in the form of personal experiences.)
- Examples: "For example, a study found that people who exercise regularly are less likely to develop heart disease." (This is an example of evidence in the form of examples.)
Conclusion
In conclusion, evidence is a crucial component of informational texts. It refers to the facts, data, or examples that an author uses to support their claims or central ideas. There are several types of evidence, including statistics, expert opinions, historical events, personal experiences, and examples. Identifying evidence in informational texts can be a challenging task, but by following the tips outlined above, you can become more effective at identifying evidence and evaluating the credibility of informational texts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about evidence in informational texts:
- Q: What is evidence? A: Evidence is a fact, data, or example that an author uses to support their claims or central ideas.
- Q: Why is evidence important? A: Evidence is essential in informational texts because it helps to establish credibility and trust with the reader.
- Q: How do I identify evidence in informational texts? A: You can identify evidence in informational texts by looking for statistics, expert opinions, historical events, personal experiences, and examples.
- Q: What are some examples of evidence in informational texts? A: Examples of evidence in informational texts include statistics, expert opinions, historical events, personal experiences, and examples.
Glossary of Terms
Here is a glossary of terms related to evidence in informational texts:
- Evidence: A fact, data, or example that an author uses to support their claims or central ideas.
- Statistics: Numbers and data that support a claim or argument.
- Expert opinions: Statements from experts in a particular field that support a claim or argument.
- Historical events: Events that have occurred in the past that support a claim or argument.
- Personal experiences: The author's own experiences or those of others that support a claim or argument.
- Examples: Specific instances or cases that support a claim or argument.
References
Here are some references that you can use to learn more about evidence in informational texts:
- "The Elements of Style" by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White: This book provides guidance on writing and style, including the use of evidence in informational texts.
- "The Writer's Handbook" by Bryan A. Garner: This book provides guidance on writing and style, including the use of evidence in informational texts.
- "The Oxford English Dictionary": This dictionary provides definitions and examples of words related to evidence in informational texts.
Additional Resources
Here are some additional resources that you can use to learn more about evidence in informational texts:
- Online courses: Websites such as Coursera, edX, and Udemy offer online courses on writing and style, including the use of evidence in informational texts.
- Books: There are many books available on writing and style, including the use of evidence in informational texts.
- Websites: Websites such as Grammarly, Purdue OWL, and The Writing Center offer guidance on writing and style, including the use of evidence in informational texts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Evidence in Informational Texts ====================================================================
When it comes to evidence in informational texts, there are many questions that readers may have. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about evidence in informational texts.
Q: What is evidence?
A: Evidence is a fact, data, or example that an author uses to support their claims or central ideas. It is a crucial component of informational texts, as it helps to establish credibility and trust with the reader.
Q: Why is evidence important?
A: Evidence is essential in informational texts because it helps to build a strong argument and make it more convincing and persuasive. It also helps to establish the author's credibility and trust with the reader.
Q: What are some types of evidence?
A: There are several types of evidence, including:
- Statistics: Numbers and data that support a claim or argument.
- Expert opinions: Statements from experts in a particular field that support a claim or argument.
- Historical events: Events that have occurred in the past that support a claim or argument.
- Personal experiences: The author's own experiences or those of others that support a claim or argument.
- Examples: Specific instances or cases that support a claim or argument.
Q: How do I identify evidence in informational texts?
A: You can identify evidence in informational texts by looking for:
- Statistics: Check if the author has included any statistics or data to support their claims.
- Expert opinions: Look for statements from experts in the field that support the author's claims.
- Historical events: Check if the author has included any historical events that support their claims.
- Personal experiences: Check if the author has included any personal experiences or those of others that support their claims.
- Examples: Check if the author has included any specific instances or cases that support their claims.
Q: What are some examples of evidence in informational texts?
A: Here are some examples of evidence in informational texts:
- Statistics: "According to a recent study, 75% of people who exercise regularly have lower blood pressure."
- Expert opinions: "Dr. Smith, a leading expert in the field of medicine, states that 'exercise is essential for maintaining good health.'"
- Historical events: "The Great Depression of the 1930s was a time of great economic hardship, but it also led to the development of new social programs and policies."
- Personal experiences: "I have seen firsthand the impact of exercise on my own health and well-being. Regular exercise has helped me to lose weight and feel more energetic."
- Examples: "For example, a study found that people who exercise regularly are less likely to develop heart disease."
Q: How can I evaluate the credibility of evidence in informational texts?
A: To evaluate the credibility of evidence in informational texts, you can ask yourself the following questions:
- Is the evidence based on credible sources?
- Is the evidence up-to-date?
- Is the evidence relevant to the topic?
- Is the evidence supported by other evidence?
Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when using evidence in informational texts?
A: Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using evidence in informational texts:
- Using outdated or irrelevant evidence
- Using evidence that is not credible or reliable
- Using evidence that is not relevant to the topic
- Not providing enough context or explanation for the evidence
- Not acknowledging potential biases or limitations of the evidence
Q: How can I use evidence effectively in my own writing?
A: To use evidence effectively in your own writing, you can follow these tips:
- Use a variety of types of evidence to support your claims
- Make sure the evidence is relevant and credible
- Provide enough context and explanation for the evidence
- Acknowledge potential biases or limitations of the evidence
- Use evidence to build a strong argument and make it more convincing and persuasive
Q: What are some additional resources for learning more about evidence in informational texts?
A: Here are some additional resources for learning more about evidence in informational texts:
- Online courses: Websites such as Coursera, edX, and Udemy offer online courses on writing and style, including the use of evidence in informational texts.
- Books: There are many books available on writing and style, including the use of evidence in informational texts.
- Websites: Websites such as Grammarly, Purdue OWL, and The Writing Center offer guidance on writing and style, including the use of evidence in informational texts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, evidence is a crucial component of informational texts. It helps to establish credibility and trust with the reader, build a strong argument, and make it more convincing and persuasive. By understanding the different types of evidence, how to identify and evaluate evidence, and how to use evidence effectively in your own writing, you can become a more effective writer and communicator.