4 types of supporting evidence

A teacher claims: “In 2022, the Department of Education reported that 87% of students attended online classes at least once.”

• A. Factual Knowledge

• B. Statistical Inference

• C. Informed Opinion

• D. Personal Testimony

Answer explanation

Answer: B – Statistical Inference

A historian says: “Based on archived documents, World War II ended in 1945 after Japan’s surrender.”
What type of evidence is used?

• A. Personal Testimony

• B. Informed Opinion

• C. Factual Knowledge

• D. Statistical Inference

A student argues: “As someone who experienced online learning, I found it harder to stay motivated without direct teacher interaction.”

• Factual Knowledge

• Informed Opinion

• Personal Testimony

• Statistical Inference

A nutritionist explains: “In my professional opinion, reducing processed sugar intake lowers the risk of diabetes significantly.”

• A. Factual Knowledge

• B. Informed Opinion

• C. Statistical Inference

• D. Personal Testimony

Which of the following is the best counterclaim to this assertion?
Assertion: “According to experts, gadget use in classrooms distracts students from learning.”

• A. “Some experts argue that gadgets, when used responsibly, enhance interactive lessons.”

• B. “I don’t like using gadgets in school.”

• C. “87% of students own gadgets.”

• D. “The Earth orbits the Sun.”

Which evidence is weakest for proving that social media harms teenagers’ mental health?

• A. A psychologist’s research-based opinion

• B. A student’s personal story of anxiety caused by social media

• C. A statistic from WHO on depression rates

• D. A factual report on the number of teenagers using social media

A researcher states: “In a survey of 10,000 students, 65% said they prefer blended learning over fully online classes.”

Why is this evidence stronger than a single student’s opinion?

• A. Because it’s based on numbers and large-scale data

• B. Because it’s a fact about the past

• C. Because it’s a personal testimony

• D. Because it’s an expert opinion

Which combination of evidence would be most persuasive in arguing that exercise improves academic performance?

• A. Factual knowledge + statistical inference

• B. Personal testimony + opinion of a student

• C. Personal testimony + factual knowledge

• D. Informed opinion + joke

Assertion: “According to a 2023 survey, 72% of employees feel more productive when working from home.”
Which counterclaim shows critical thinking?

• A. “But my cousin is unproductive when working from home.”

• B. “However, some experts argue that remote work decreases teamwork and collaboration.”

• C. “That’s wrong because I don’t believe it.”
  

• D. “Working from home is fun.”

Answer explanation

Answer: B – Expert-based counterclaim (informed opinion)

A student writes: “As a survivor of a typhoon, I know how important disaster preparedness is.”
Why might this be less reliable than a government safety report?

• A. Because personal testimony is subjective and limited to one person’s experience

• B. Because government reports are always false

• C. Because facts cannot be trusted

• D. Because statistics are the same as opinions

Answer explanation

A – Testimony is subjective vs. official factual/statistical report