Supporting your arguments and discussion points

Providing examples or evidence is crucial in supporting your argument or discussion points.

This is what makes your point real.

To select good examples or evidence, use this checklist and ask yourself whether the example or evidence expressed:

• Relates to the claim directly
• Is the best example/evidence and not loosely related
• Is specific
• Doesn’t use an absolute statement incorrectly.
• Doesn’t use cause-and-effect incorrectly.

Types of examples or evidence

Let’s go through types of examples or evidence you can use to support your claims.

• Past experience / historical experience has shown…
• Comparison – a side-by-side comparison / a side-by-side study has shown that…. / in 1900… while in 2000, ….
• Statistics – be careful with this as they can change. E.g. It was reported that already 23,389 have already used the facility. Instead, write: It was reported that already over 23,000 people have already used the facility.
• Logical connection – As a consequence of the spillage, the habitat of thousands of marine animals was rendered uninhabitable.
• Expert opinion – be careful as this is often done incorrectly. Do not quote someone or an institution that is unknown or carries little weight. Your selection must be powerful and impactful.
• Tangible or intangible items – e.g. list out the items.

Examples

Watch video to see worked example/s relating to selection of examples or evidence to certain prompts:

Technology is fast becoming an essential tool for work and play. Should technology be taught in all schools?

Discuss the benefits and disadvantages of implementing a global language across all nations.

Key rules to remember

• Selection of evidence/examples should enhance not reduce quality of your claim.
• Think of something that is specific and strong.
• Types of evidence/examples are: past experience, comparison, statistics, logical connection, expert opinion and listing of tangible or intangible items.

Practice time!

Now, it's your turn to practice.

The questions in this checkpoint are provided to help you develop your writing skills.

To do your practice questions, click on the below to download your question paper. You can print it out or work from the electronic version. We do recommend that you write your answers by hand in a notebook or on paper.

PDW-CP9-Questions.pdf

Once you have completed your questions, review the suggested solutions. You can download (and print if you wish) the PDF suggested solutions and/or watch the suggested solutions video (all below).

Once you're done with reviewing the practice question suggested solutions, move on to the next checkpoint.

PDW-CP9-Answers.pdf

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