How Do You Know? Because I said so?

1. How Do You Know? Because I said so? Examining types of evidence in arugment

2. Factual/Statistical • The most important in argument • Data • Can be proved/ disproved • Caveat: Numbers can be spun, “hidden”, or skewed in some way Example: Every 15 minutes someone dies in a drunk-driving accident

3. Testimonial • Highly used by commercial industries • Uses spokespeople who are highly recognized to sell a product, idea, or slogan • Michael Jordan selling Nikes, Gatorade etc. • Caveat: These people are endorsed; they may be playing the part, not really credible

4. Anecdotal Evidence • Based on stories of others: observations of the world—inductive reasoning • Can be used to disprove a generalizations—no illegal immigrants speak English; showing several who speak it well disproves the claim • Caveat: For every story you find to enhance your claim, there will be several others to counter it.

5. Argument by Analogy • IF there is not much research, analogies can be helpful • Analogies break down an idea into digestible parts—smoking is a bad habit that people become addicted to; eating fatty foods is just as addictive. We should outlaw trans fats so people have addictive personalities will not eat them. • Caveat: although powerful and pathos-laden, any argument by analogy not supported by fact is not valid

6. Assessment? • A well –rounded argument will include various types of evidence to be logical • If facts are spun, the argument will be invalid • KNOW THE AUDIENCE—if the audience is uneducated or unaware, more pathos will be used in order to sway the audience • Do not assume if it’s in print it has to be true.