When creating an argument or analyzing an argument, the presence of evidence is not enough:

Verlinden’s Exams of Evidence

When creating an argument or analyzing an argument, the presence of evidence is not sufficient: One should analyze the power and validity of the evidence. Everytime you have a look at any piece of evidence or quotation, take into account the following six areas when evaluating a supply (Verlinden, 2005):

Supply Credibility

– Does supply have the applicable background?

– Does the supply have the required data?

– Does the supply have adequate experience?

Supply Bias

-Does the supply signify a selected curiosity or perspective?

-Does the supply declare objectivity?

-Does the supply have preconceived concepts that will coloration their judgment?

-What “invisible” biases may exist (how does tradition or upbringing affect it)?

Recency

-Does the evidence come from the applicable time interval?

Inner Consistency

-Are there any contradictory statements in the supply?

Completeness

-Is sufficient info supplied?

-Does the authentic supply present some background info?

Corroboration (a.ok.a. exterior consistency)

-Do different certified sources agree with the evidence?

Supply: Verlinden, J. (2005) Important Pondering and On a regular basis Argument. Belmont, CA:

Wadsworth

The CRAAP Take a look at

The CRAAP take a look at is a helpful acronym you should utilize to judge web sites or different sources:

-Forex: Just like the recency take a look at from Verlinden, is the supply present (the place applicable)

-Relevance: How carefully tied to your topic (sample nursing essay examples by the best nursing assignment writing service) is this supply? Is it tangential or not?

-Authority: Is the supply certified to talk/write on this matter? (just like “supply credibility” from Verlinden)

-Accuracy: How dependable and truthful is this info? (This combines inner and exterior consistency from Verlinden)

-Goal: Why does this supply exist in the first place? What’s the motivation behind it?