Supporting evidence

Definition

Supporting evidence refers to the facts, data, statistics, or examples used to back up a claim or argument in a speech or written work. In political communication, supporting evidence strengthens the speaker's position and increases credibility by demonstrating the validity of their statements. It is crucial for persuading an audience and making arguments more compelling and believable.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In political speeches, supporting evidence can include statistics from reputable sources, anecdotes, expert testimonials, and historical examples that bolster the speaker's claims.
2. Using supporting evidence effectively helps the speaker connect with the audience on an emotional level while providing logical backing for their arguments.
3. Speakers often cite studies or polls as supporting evidence to appeal to the audience's sense of logic and to demonstrate that their viewpoint is widely accepted.
4. Incorporating visual aids like graphs or charts can serve as powerful supporting evidence that reinforces the spoken word and enhances understanding.
5. A lack of solid supporting evidence can lead to skepticism among the audience and diminish the speaker's overall effectiveness and persuasiveness.

Review Questions

• How does supporting evidence enhance the effectiveness of a political speech?
  • Supporting evidence enhances the effectiveness of a political speech by providing concrete backing for the claims made by the speaker. It adds credibility and persuades the audience by demonstrating that the arguments are not just opinion-based but grounded in facts and reliable information. When speakers use strong supporting evidence, it helps to engage listeners and convinces them of the validity of their position.
• Discuss how different types of supporting evidence can be used to appeal to various audience demographics in political communication.
  • Different types of supporting evidence can resonate with various audience demographics based on their values, beliefs, and preferences. For example, using statistical data may appeal more to an analytical audience that values facts, while emotional anecdotes might resonate better with audiences who connect on a personal level. Political communicators need to tailor their supporting evidence to align with the interests and characteristics of their target audience for maximum impact.
• Evaluate the impact of using insufficient or misleading supporting evidence on a politician's credibility during a campaign.
  • Using insufficient or misleading supporting evidence can severely damage a politician's credibility during a campaign. If audiences discover that a candidate has relied on faulty information or exaggerated claims, it can lead to distrust and skepticism about their integrity. This erosion of credibility not only affects current campaigns but can have lasting repercussions on a politician's future endeavors, as voters may be less likely to support someone perceived as dishonest or unreliable.

Related terms

rhetoric: The art of persuasive speaking or writing, often using techniques like ethos, pathos, and logos to influence an audience.

argumentation: The process of constructing and presenting arguments in a structured manner to persuade an audience or support a claim.

credibility:

The quality of being trusted and believed in; in political communication, it refers to the speaker's ability to convince the audience of their reliability and knowledge.