E.g. If your main idea (or
thesis statement
) focuses on climate change, you should rely heavily on reliable research
for evidence, not just what you observe in your neighbourhood.
Cause or consequence
A claim about one thing causing another, or one thing being caused by another.
E.g. Smoking has been proven by doctors to cause cancer. If you smoke, you may develop cancer too.
Analogy
A claim about the qualities of one thing using a comparison about another thing.
E.g. The structure of an atom is like a solar system. The nucleus is the sun, and electrons are the planets revolving
around their sun.
Testimony and authority
A claim that involves citing the opinion of someone other than the rhetor, someone respected by the audience or a
reference to a special or sacred text. Americans quote the Constitution, as an example.
Definition
A claim about the meaning or nature of something.
Syllogism
A claim using deductive logic involving a major premise, a minor premise, and conclusion. This is a move from the
general to the specific.
Support a generalization with examples
A claim using inductive logic, where a general statement about something is backed up by specific examples.
