Chapter sixteen in Lunsford et al 2009 comprises of various sources as evidence to support one’s argument. But what exactly counts as evidence?
For the sake of arguments, Lunsford explains of two different types of evidence and research. According to our class’ holy book, the two are firsthand evidence and secondhand evidence.
Under the firsthand evidence portion lies five types of similar, yet very different firsthand evidence. They are the following: Observations, Interviews, Surveys and Questionnaires, Experiments, and finally Personal Experience.
Observations- are based on what you saw with your own eyes, then record it all down on a piece of paper... at the same time, make sure your observations are relevant directly to your claim. Be sure to write down specific date, time, and place to further help your claim.
Interviews- is considered firsthand because you see or hear it ‘firsthand’ from another for his or her expert opinion, biological information, or suggestions.
Surveys and Questionnaires- can really boost your argument because the ‘evidence’ is based on a group of people’s answers. The questions are usually relevantly easy to use and to understand and includes ‘yes or no’ answers or scaled answers (on a scale from 1 to 5).
Experiments- can be of any caliber from severely exact controlled conditions to loose-controlled environments. It also reflects the conductor’s creativity. Experiments often offer concrete information that can extremely aid the argumentative claim.
Personal Experience- is pretty much self- explanatory and “can serve as powerful evidence when it’s appropriate to the subject, to your purpose, and to the audience.” however if your personal experience is the only factor you have to support your argument, the overall degree of your argument probably would not be a good one.
Secondhand evidence only has two branches: Library Sources and Online Sources. While these two are most commonly used by us, academic students...probably more goes for the latter.
As long as I’ve been writing, I would say I use my own personal experience and online sources to strengthen my claim. That way, I develop my pathos, ethos, and logos. I would also like to think I establish my own credibility in my personal experience. I strongly believe in narrating a story and linking it to information found from sources online will better connect to the audience.
While all the other aspects of firsthand evidence and research are respectable and probably will carry just as equally well. I frankly prefer to use my own personal experience and online sources mainly because it is not difficult and pretty much straightforward.
