AP English Language and Composition Flashcards: Choosing evidence that strengthens the line of reasoning
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Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 11 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is a 'line of reasoning' in an argument?
A line of reasoning is the logical sequence of claims and evidence that connects an author's argument to their overarching thesis.
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What is a 'line of reasoning' in an argument?
A line of reasoning is the logical sequence of claims and evidence that connects an author's argument to their overarching thesis.
What are the three essential qualities of strong evidence used to support a claim?
Strong evidence must be relevant (directly relates to the claim), credible (comes from a trustworthy source), and sufficient (enough evidence to be convincing).
An author claims a historical figure was unpopular, citing only a rival's diary. How does the source of this evidence potentially weaken the line of reasoning?
This weakens the line of reasoning because the evidence lacks credibility due to potential bias. A strong argument would require additional, more objective sources to support the claim.
How can evidence be used to effectively support a rebuttal to a counterclaim?
By introducing new evidence that directly refutes the counterclaim, you can demonstrate the weakness of the opposing view and, in turn, strengthen your own line of reasoning.
How does selecting evidence from diverse sources strengthen a line of reasoning?
Using diverse sources (e.g., data, expert testimony, historical documents) demonstrates a comprehensive understanding and shows that the argument holds up from multiple perspectives, increasing its credibility.
Why must evidence be accompanied by commentary or analysis?
Evidence alone does not support a claim; commentary is necessary to explain how or why the evidence proves the author's point and connects back to the line of reasoning.
To argue that a new environmental policy was effective, which piece of evidence is stronger: a politician's speech praising the policy, or a scientific report with data showing a 20% reduction in pollution?
The scientific report is stronger evidence because it provides objective, quantitative data, making it more credible and relevant than a potentially biased political speech.
What is the risk of using evidence that does not directly support the specific claim being made, even if it relates to the overall topic?
Using irrelevant evidence creates a logical fallacy and weakens the line of reasoning. It shows a failure to connect the proof to the point, leaving the claim unsubstantiated.
Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative evidence.
Quantitative evidence is numerical data (e.g., statistics, polls, percentages), while qualitative evidence is non-numerical and descriptive (e.g., interviews, historical texts, observations).
Your thesis is about the economic impact of a new trade agreement. Which source would provide more credible evidence: a blog post from an anonymous commentator or a report from the Congressional Budget Office?
The report from the Congressional Budget Office would be far more credible. It is an official, non-partisan government body known for rigorous economic analysis, unlike an anonymous, unaccountable blog.
What is the difference between evidence that is relevant and evidence that is sufficient?
Relevance refers to how well a single piece of evidence supports a specific claim, while sufficiency refers to whether the total amount of evidence is enough to convincingly prove the entire argument.