Developing &
Supporting
Your Ideas
Chapter 7
1
Claims and Evidence


Claim--An assertion that
must be proved
Evidence--Materials
speakers use to support
their ideas
2
Claims need support
3
Examples

Specific instances used to
illustrate a concept,
experience, issue, or problem
4
Use Examples
To clarify concepts
 To reinforce points
 To bring concepts to life
 To elicit emotions
 To build case or make
credible generalizations

5
Using Examples
Ethically & Effectively
Relevant & appropriate
 Ethical hypothetical
example
 Enough examples to
support claim
 Account for counter
examples

6
Narrative

A story that re-creates or
foretells real or
hypothetical events
7
Use Narratives
To personalize a point
 To challenge an audience
 To think in new ways
 To emotionally draw in an
audience
 To unite speaker & audience

8
Using Narratives
Ethically & Effectively
Make a specific point
 Length appropriate
 Language vivid
 Delivery appropriate
 Story appropriate for
audience

9
Statistics

Numerical summaries of
facts, figures, &
research findings
10
Use Statistics
To synthesize large
amounts of information
 When numbers tell a
powerful story
 When numerical evidence
strengthens a claim

11
Using Statistics
Ethically & Effectively
Evaluate statistics
carefully
 Use statistics sparingly

Visit Web Link 7.2: Statistics Site
at the Invitation to Public Speaking website.
12
Testimony

Opinions or observations
of others:
–
–
–
–
–
direct quotation
paraphrase
expert testimony
peer testimony
personal testimony
13
Use Testimony
When expert voice need
 To illustrate differences
 To illustrate agreements
 When experience says it
best

14
Using Testimony
Ethically & Effectively
Credible source of testimony
 Unbiased testimony
 Paraphrased accurately
 Testimony connected to the
point

15
Definitions
Denotative definition:
objective or
dictionary definition
 Connotative definition:
subjective meaning of a
word or a phrase

16
Use Definitions
To develop understanding
 To clarify an emotionally or
politically charged word
 To illustrate what a word is not
 To trace the history of a word

17
Using Definitions
Ethically & Effectively
Source of the definition
credible
 Avoid proper meaning
superstition
 Actually define the term

Try Web Link 7.4: Word Origins at
the Invitation to Public Speaking website.
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