Glossary
Author's Purpose
The reason an author writes a particular text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or analyze. It guides the selection and interpretation of evidence.
Example:
An author's purpose might be to persuade readers to adopt a new environmental policy, which influences their choice of supporting facts.
Claim
An assertion or statement that requires support or proof from the text. It is the point an author or student is trying to make.
Example:
Your essay's thesis statement is a claim that you must then support with textual evidence.
Context
The surrounding circumstances or information that helps determine the meaning of a word, phrase, or piece of evidence within a passage.
Example:
Understanding the historical context of a speech is crucial to interpreting its true message and significance.
Counterargument
An argument or point of view that opposes or challenges the main claim or argument presented in a text.
Example:
The author acknowledged the counterargument that renewable energy is expensive, but then provided data on long-term savings.
Degree of Support
How strongly and directly a piece of evidence backs up a particular claim. It measures the directness and power of the connection.
Example:
A piece of evidence with a high degree of support leaves little doubt about its connection to the claim, making it highly convincing.
Evidence
Information from a text used to support, refute, or qualify a claim. It forms the backbone of solid and believable answers.
Example:
When analyzing a passage, you might use a character's dialogue as evidence to show their true motivations.
Examples (Evidence Type)
Instances or cases used to illustrate or clarify a general concept or argument, making it more relatable or understandable.
Example:
Providing a historical event like the Great Depression as an example can effectively illustrate the concept of economic downturns.
Explicit Statements
Information directly and clearly stated in the text, leaving no room for interpretation. This is often the most straightforward type of evidence.
Example:
The passage's opening sentence, 'The experiment failed,' is an explicit statement of the outcome.
Facts (Evidence Type)
Objective, verifiable pieces of information that are known to be true. They provide foundational support for arguments.
Example:
The statement 'Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level' is a scientific fact that can be used as evidence in a scientific argument.
Implied Meanings
Understandings or messages that are suggested by the text through tone, language, or rhetorical devices, rather than being directly stated.
Example:
The author's sarcastic tone might convey an implied meaning of disapproval, even without directly stating it.
Main Idea
The central point or primary message that the author is trying to convey in a passage. Understanding it is key to selecting appropriate evidence.
Example:
Identifying the main idea of a scientific article helps you understand its overall purpose and what evidence will be most important.
Quotations (Evidence Type)
Direct reproductions of an author's or speaker's exact words from the text. They offer direct insight into the source's perspective.
Example:
Using a quotation from a character's dialogue can directly reveal their personality or motivations without interpretation.
Relevance (of evidence)
How closely and appropriately a piece of evidence relates to the claim it is intended to support. It's a crucial factor in evaluating evidence strength.
Example:
Choosing a statistic about ancient Rome to support a claim about modern technology would show a lack of relevance.
Specific Details (Evidence Type)
Concrete pieces of information, often numerical or factual, that provide precise support for a claim.
Example:
The exact date of a historical event or a population count are considered specific details that can serve as strong evidence.
Specificity (of evidence)
The level of detail and precision provided by a piece of evidence. More specific evidence is generally stronger.
Example:
A statistic like '25% increase' shows high specificity compared to a vague statement like 'a lot of growth.'
Statistics (Evidence Type)
Numerical data, often presented as percentages, averages, or trends, used to provide quantitative support for claims.
Example:
The report cited statistics showing that 75% of students preferred online learning, providing numerical backing for the claim.
Strength (of evidence)
The degree to which a piece of evidence effectively and convincingly supports a claim. Strong evidence is highly persuasive.
Example:
A direct quote from an expert often has more strength than a general observation from a non-specialist.
Strong Evidence
The most relevant, specific, and convincing textual support that directly and powerfully backs up a claim, often sought in SAT questions.
Example:
When asked to find the best support for an answer, you're looking for the strongest evidence that leaves no room for doubt.
Structure (of passage)
The organizational pattern or arrangement of ideas within a text, such as chronological, compare/contrast, or problem/solution.
Example:
Understanding the structure of a passage, like a cause-and-effect layout, helps predict where evidence for certain claims might be found.
Synthesize Evidence
To combine information or ideas from different parts of a passage to form a coherent understanding or support a claim.
Example:
You might need to synthesize evidence from paragraphs 2 and 5 to fully understand the author's complex stance on climate change.