Reasoning from Evidence
to Claims
How to make connections
What is evidence?
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Factual information used to test, refine, and
develop ideas
Interpretive and tentative
Suggestive rather than conclusive
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In other words, you do not prove anything
with evidence; you use evidence to suggest
possible conclusions
Function of Evidence
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Substantiate claims (illustrates theory)
Test and refine ideas (Does the evidence
actually support your tentative hypothesis or
thesis?)
Define key terms more precisely (illustrates
concepts)
Qualify claims for better accuracy (determines
the appropriate focus—reduces broader initial
claims)
Linking Evidence and Claims
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Varies by discipline (context)
Need to be explicit in how the evidence
supports (or leads) to your claim
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Connections rarely are self-evident
Others may not automatically see evidence’s
connection as you see it (POV, context)
Linking Evidence and Claims (cont’d)
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Cannot assume that evidence can be interpreted in
only one way (POV, impediments, context,
alternatives)
 Must overtly describe your thinking as to how the
evidence connects to and substantiates your claim
 Must share thoughts on why you see the
connection the way you do
Making Evidence Speak
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Explicitly describe what the details mean in
relation to your claim (define concepts)
Explicitly explain why the evidence supports
your claim (POV, assumptions, interpretation)
Think about how the evidence relates to your
claim and thesis
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Does the connection require you to narrow your
scope? (information, purpose, Q@I, assumptions)
Avoid Unsubstantiated Claims
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Claims must be substantiated by evidence to
insure credibility
Unsubstantiated claims assume readers will
believe the claims simply because you make
them
Successfully supported claims move from
abstract (conceptual) to physical (5 senses)
Types of Evidence
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Statistics:
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Are used to demonstrate broad trends and patterns
must be explained clearly (clearness, sufficiency)
must validly support your claims (accurate,
relevant)
Experts:
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Factual but not finite (important, accurate,
breadth)
Credible (accurate)
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Anecdotal:
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Local, personal narratives and stories
Provide particular incidences
Need multiple examples to show trends (as
statistics do)
Must convincingly write to connect to claim if
unable to find multiple examples
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Textual:
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Interpret meanings from written texts
Often used in law, literature, mass
communications, public relations, government
Bringing Evidence and Claims Together
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Recognize unsubstantiated claims
Make the evidence speak; explain how it
supports the claim
Allow evidence to further the claim rather
than just support it
Remember that evidence needed is contextual
(discipline specific)
Use research from multiple perspectives to
show all possible POVs