ENGLISH 4TH QUARTER

JUDGING THE RELEVANCE AND WORTH OF IDEAS, SOUNDNESS OF AUTHOR’S

REASONING, AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PRESENTATION

Lesson 1:

Tips on How to Spot Factual or truthful Information

1. Consider the source.
2. Read Beyond.
3. Check the author.
4. Verify supporting sources.
5. Check the date.
6. Check your biases.

Lesson 2:

Evidence is the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or

proposition is true or valid.

Guide in Analyzing and Evaluating Validity of Evidence

1. Argumentation. Identify the point/claim the author is trying to prove.
2. Specificity. Identify specific facts, data, statistics, examples that support the
point.
3. Relevance. Explain how the pieces of evidence are related to the claim.

Four Types of Evidence

1. Statistical Evidence – known as the strongest types of evidence. It comes in a
form of number, percentage, or surveyed type data.
2. Testimonial Evidence – use of celebrities is the core of this evidence. However,
experts and authorities can also be used to collect testimonial evidence.
3. Anecdotal Evidence – often dismissed as untrustworthy and meaningless.
When the speaker does storytelling, anecdotal evidence is utilized.
4. Analogical Evidence – regarded as the weakest evidence. When information
about something is scarce and little is known, this is often used in a format
argument to increase credibility of the proof.
Lesson 3:

An argument tries to convince us that something is true. Keep in mind that an argument
to be considered one has to consist of: conclusion and premise.

An argument may be supported with more than one premise.

Conclusion – is the idea we are convinced to believe.

Premise – is the support or reason showing that the conclusion is true.

1. Hasty Generalization – making assumptions about a whole group of range of

cases based on a sample that is inadequate or not enough.
Ex. Librarians are quiet people and disciplinarians.
2. Post Hoc – stressing that two events or concepts are related in the sense that
one causes another when they’re not.
Ex. It was cloudy this morning, so Sarah did a “sun dance” and it did not rain.
3. Slippery Slope – claiming a sort of chain reaction will take place, usually ending
in some dire consequence, but there’s really not enough evidence.
Ex. Animal experimentation reduces our respect for life. If we do not respect life, we
are likely to be more tolerant of violent acts.
4. Appeal to Authority – referring to known personalities to back up a claim, but
aren’t really experts particularly in line with the issue at hand instead of citing
evidence.
Ex. We should abolish death penalty because many respected people, such as actor
guy handsome, have publicly stated their opposition to it.

Lesson 4:

Argumentative essay – job to make the reader agree with your opinion about a
controversial topic.

Five Types of Argument Claims

1. Fact – whether the statement is true or false.
2. Definition – the dictionary definition of what you’re arguing
3. Value – the importance of what you’re arguing
4. Cause and Effect – what causes the problem and what effects it has
5. Policy – why you should care and what you should do about it after reading

Structures of a good argumentative essay

1. Introductory Paragraph – should outline the hook of your main point.
- Turn the topic into a question and answer it
- State an argument and then refute it
- Briefly outline your main points.

2. Body Paragraphs – typical argumentative essay comprises three or more

paragraphs that explain the reasons why you support the thesis.
3. Conclusion – restates your thesis and summarizes all the arguments.

Lesson 5:

 Issue is a subject that people discuss or argue about.

 Social Issue related to present-day societal concerns that many people want to
address.
Ex. overpopulation, gender inequality, poverty, and homeless
 Moral issue related to one’s own values, beliefs, feelings, and learning
concerning morality.
Ex. Corruption, manipulation, prostitution, extra marital and pre-marital
relationship, and physical and mental abuses.
 Economic Issue related to world, regional, national, and even local economy.
Ex. Prospects for growth, inflation, energy and the environment, inequality, labor
issues, emerging markets, and the impact of new technologies.