What is Evidence?
Evidence is the heartbeat of effective communication, pumping life into arguments, claims, and ideas. It’s the information that communicators—writers, speakers, knowledge makers—use to support their assertions, illustrate points, and enhance credibility, particularly in academic, professional, and technical contexts.
Trump argument illustrated below — “They’re (immigrants) eating the dogs… They’re eating the cats.” — exemplifies the antithesis of evidence-based communication. Trump invokes a populist, nativist discourse community that often prioritizes emotional appeals and sensationalism over factual accuracy. While this sort of tribal rhetoric may appeal to certain political audiences, it starkly contrasts with the evidence-based culture of academic and professional writing.In academic or professional contexts, such unsubstantiated claims would be considered inappropriate and lacking credibility. This example underscores the critical importance of evidence in responsible communication and the need to critically evaluate the information we encounter.
Evidence can take many forms:
- Facts and statistics
- Expert opinions
- Experimental results
- Logical reasoning
- Personal experiences (anecdotal evidence)
- Hypothetical scenarios
The use of misleading or manufactured information to persuade is not a new phenomenon. It harkens back to the tradition of the sophists in ancient Greece. Sophists were traveling teachers of rhetoric and philosophy who were known for their ability to argue any position, regardless of its truth value. They prioritized persuasion over truth, much like some modern purveyors of misinformation and disinformation.The sophists’ approach to argument and evidence contrasts sharply with the evidence-based culture of modern academic and professional writing. While sophists might use emotional appeals, logical fallacies, or manipulated facts to win an argument, contemporary scholarly discourse demands verifiable evidence and logical reasoning.This historical perspective helps us understand that the tension between persuasion and truth-seeking has deep roots. It underscores the importance of critical thinking and evidence evaluation in our information-rich age, where modern “sophists” might use social media and other platforms to spread misinformation for political, economic, or ideological gain.By drawing this parallel, we can emphasize the enduring nature of the challenge posed by misinformation and disinformation, while also highlighting the crucial role of evidence-based communication in countering these practices.
For a more detailed analysis of different types of evidence and when to use them, see “Types of Evidence – How To Write Clearly & Persuasively.”
Why Evidence Matters
Evidence is fundamental to human knowledge and understanding. It speaks to our enduring thirst for knowledge and our need to make sense of the world around us.
- Advances knowledge: Evidence is the foundation of scholarly conversations and scientific progress.
- Supports critical thinking: Evaluating evidence hones analytical skills and promotes informed decision-making.
- Enhances credibility: Well-chosen evidence demonstrates expertise and thoroughness.
- Facilitates understanding: Concrete examples can make complex ideas more accessible.
- Bridges perspectives: Shared evidence can create common ground in debates and discussions.
Throughout history, from ancient philosophers to modern scientists, humans have sought evidence to validate their beliefs, challenge existing paradigms, and push the boundaries of knowledge. In our information-rich age, the ability to discern and use evidence effectively is more crucial than ever, particularly in academic and professional cultures where evidence-based practices are the norm.
