Seven Types of Evidence It is important to learn to use evidence in argumentative writing, because without evidence, you can’t persuade anybody of anything. Usually seven types of evidence are used. Ⅰ. Expert Testimony Expert testimony is useful because it comes from somebody with special knowledge and has been tested by others. There are three kinds of expert testimony: facts, informed opinions, and (1) ______. (1) ______ The first two can be safely used in your writing, but the third may be dangerous, because they are just what is possibly true. Ⅱ. (2) ______ (2) ______ This refers to data that can reveal some information. Strong evidence of this type should be valid, accurate, and (3) ______. (3) ______ Ⅲ. Examples Examples are widely used in our daily life. Examples can serve three purposes. First, clarify meaning. Second, provide reason for justification. Third, (4) ______. (4) ______ Ⅳ. Personal Experience Writer can use his own experience to support an argument. But if the experience is (5) ______, the (5) ______ argument will not be very forceful. Ⅴ. Analogy Analogy is a comparison of apparently dissimilar things. Analogy can make unfamiliar topics (6) ______, (6) ______ but it is not enough to prove anything. 6. Known Facts Known facts are facts that are known to (7) ______. (7) ______ They can be used as a type of evidence. 7. Logic and Reasoning Logic and reasoning may be used in two situations. One, (8) ______ is not available. (8) ______ Two, the writer wants to strengthen the persuasiveness of his factual evidence. 8. Three Criteria for Good Evidence 1. relevant 2. (9) ______ (9) ______ 3. (10) ______ (10) ______