![]() Eyewitness or first-hand testimonies are reports from people who directly experience some phenomenon. Testimony, or appeals to authority, come in two main types, eyewitness and expert. In public speeches, statistics have the advantage of seeming objective, authoritative, and factual, but critical audiences will want to know about the sources and methods for determining your statistical evidence. Statistics include raw numbers (117 million visitors to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,), averages ('women's bowling teams drink on average two pitchers less then men's'), statistical probabilities ('crossing North Main during rush hour increases your chances of death 20%'), and statistical trends ('applications have risen 40% over the past three years'). With an example as evidence, someone arguing against seat belt use might say "Last year my cousin crashed her car off a bridge and would have drowned if she were wearing her seatbelt" as evidence (the answer to "Why do you believe that?" question.) An opponent might challenge whether this example was a representative one: surely there are many more car crashes that do not end in water, so this one instance is not a fair gauge of the relative safety of not wearing seat belts. To be effective, specific instances need to be representative of the broader trend or idea they are supporting. In a public speech, they offer audiences a way to see an idea illustrated in a particular case. Each can be an effective mode of building support for a reason or claim. Specific instances include examples, case studies, and narratives. Evidence answers challenges to the reasons given, and it comes in four main types: Scientific arguments about global warming require different kinds of evidence than mealtime arguments about Paul Newman's movies. Evidence comes in different sorts, and it tends to vary from one academic field or subject of argument to another. Passing those tests, however, does not insure that arguments are sound and compelling.Įvidence serves as support for the reasons offered and helps compel audiences to accept claims. If reasons do not make sense in the hypothetical challenge or the 'because' tests, there is probably something wrong with the logic of the argument. ![]()
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