Practice #4: Relevant & Irrelevant Evidence

Front

What is relevant evidence?

Back

Relevant evidence is information that directly supports or relates to the argument or claim being made. It helps to strengthen the proposal or point being discussed.

Front

What is irrelevant evidence?

Back

Irrelevant evidence is information that does not support or relate to the argument or claim being made. It does not contribute to the understanding of the topic.

Front

Why is it important to use relevant evidence in a proposal?

Back

Using relevant evidence is important because it makes the argument stronger and more convincing. It shows that the proposal is based on facts and logical reasoning.

Front

Give an example of relevant evidence for a proposal to serve pizza in the cafeteria.

Back

An example of relevant evidence could be: 'Students prefer pizza over other meal options, as shown by a survey conducted last month.'

Front

Give an example of irrelevant evidence for a proposal to serve pizza in the cafeteria.

Back

An example of irrelevant evidence could be: 'Pizza was first made in Italy in the 18th century.' This does not support the argument for serving pizza in the cafeteria.

Front

What role does audience play in determining relevant evidence?

Back

The audience's interests and needs help determine what evidence is relevant. Evidence should resonate with the audience to be effective.

Front

How can statistics be used as relevant evidence?

Back

Statistics can provide quantitative support for a claim, such as '80% of students prefer pizza over other lunch options,' making the argument more compelling.

Front

What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative evidence?

Back

Qualitative evidence is descriptive and based on opinions or experiences, while quantitative evidence is numerical and based on measurable data.

Front

Why might anecdotal evidence be considered less reliable?

Back

Anecdotal evidence is based on personal stories or isolated examples, which may not represent the larger population or situation.

Front

What is a logical fallacy?

Back

A logical fallacy is an error in reasoning that undermines the logic of an argument. It can make evidence seem relevant when it is not.