Evidence
Supporting Materials

Supporting Materials: the materials
used to support a speaker’s ideas

The three major kinds of supporting
materials are:

1.
Examples
2.
Statistics
3.
Testimony
The use of supporting materials make the difference between a poor
speech and a good one.
Examples

Example: a specific case used to illustrate or
represent a group of people, ideas, conditions,
experiences, etc

Without examples, ideas seem
vague, impersonal, and lifeless.

With examples, ideas become
specific, personal, and lively.
Brief Examples

Brief examples are also called specific instances.

They are given in passing.

Example: There are a lot of things I
like about fall. The Pumpkin Spice
Latte, for example; one of my favorite
drinks, is only available in the fall.
Extended Examples

Extended Examples: a story,
narrative, or anecdote given to
illustrate a point

Anecdote: a short and amusing or
interesting story about a real
incident or person
Hypothetical Examples

Hypothetical
Examples: an
example that
describes an
imaginary or fictitious
situation

All the examples
presented up to now
have been factual; the
incidents have really
happened.
Hypothetical Example

Imagine this: You’re taking
your psychology exam
when you notice the student
sitting next to you is staring
at your answers. You also
see his open notebook
under his desk. You feel
your cheeks redden as you
become angry that he may
get a high score by cheating
while you’ve worked hard to
earn your grade.
TIPS FOR USING EXAMPLES

Use examples to clarify your ideas:
–
The suspension bridge has a roadway suspended by vertical
cables attached to two or more main cables. The main cables
are hung on two towers and have their ends anchored in
concrete or bedrock.
vs.
–
A well known suspension bridge is the Golden Gate Bridge in
San Francisco
TIPS

Use examples to reinforce your ideas.

Use examples to personalize your ideas…people are
interested in people:
–
–
There are many hungry families in our community who could
benefit from food donations.
vs.
Let me tell you about Jason. Jason is four years old. He has big
green eyes and a mop of blonde hair and an empty belly. In all
his four years on this earth, Jason has never once enjoyed three
square meals in a single day.
STATISTICS

Statistics can be used to show the magnitude or seriousness
of an issue.

Example: According to Urban Mobility Report from Texas
A&M University, Americans collectively spend 4.2
billion hours stuck in traffic each year.
All told, traffic congestion results in more
than $87 billion in wasted fuel and lost
productivity.
vs.

Traffic jams are very costly for the United States.
Tips for Using Statistics

Use statistics to quantify your ideas or give your ideas
numerical precision.

Use statistics sparingly – the audience will get bored if you
use too many statistics, only use those that are most
important.

Identify the sources of your statistics.

Explain your statistics – statistics don’t speak for
themselves…when you use statistics in your speeches, think
of how you can make them meaningful to your audience.
Make Statistics Meaningful

Example: According to
Jennifer Lee’s new
book, “The Fortune
Cookie Chronicles,”
there are some 43,000
Chinese restaurants in
the US. That’s more
than all the McDonalds,
Burger Kings, and KFCs
combined.
Testimony

Testimony: quotations or paraphrases used
to support a point
Expert Testimony

Expert Testimony: testimony from people who are
recognized experts in their field

This is a good way to give credibility to your speech.

It shows that you are not just mouthing your own opinions,
but that your position is supported by people who are
knowledgeable about that topic.
Peer Testimony

Peer Testimony: testimony from ordinary people with
firsthand experience or insight on a topic

It gives a more personal viewpoint on issues than can be
gained from expert testimony
Peer Testimony Example
Quoting vs. Paraphrasing

Direct quote: testimony that is presented
word for word

Paraphrase: to restate or summarize a
source’s ideas in one’s own words
Cite Sources As You Speak

You must identify your sources orally as you are speaking.

Unlike a written bibliography, oral source citations do not follow a
standard format.

What you include depends on:
– your topic
– your audience
– the kind of supporting material you are using
– the claim you are making

Tell your audience enough that they will know where you got your
information and why they should accept it as qualified and credible.
What to Cite

The book, magazine, newspaper, or
website you are citing

The author or sponsoring organization of
the document

The author’s qualifications with regard to
the topic

The date on which the document was
published, posted, or updated
Example

The power of earthquakes can be seen in more than
just the damage they cause. Kenneth Chang,
science reporter for the New York Times, reported in
the paper’s March 13, 2011, issue that the recent
quake in Japan widened the country by 13 feet.

The author
The author’s qualifications
The newspaper being cited
The date of publication



Example

In an article posted on MSNBC.com in March 2011,
Harry Johns, president and chief executive of the
Alzheimer’s Association, stated, “Alzheimer’s
disease doesn’t just affect those with it. It invades
families and the lives of everyone around them.

The author
The author’s qualifications
The newspaper being cited
The date of publication



Example-Citing an Organization

The U.S. Department of Agriculture explains
on its website that providing nutritious meals
and snacks to children in low-income areas
during the summer months is critical to
improving the health of America’s kids.

The author or sponsoring organization
The website you are citing
