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Analogies 2
Writers make analogies — comparisons between two unrelated things — as a way to
clarify one of them. Analogies can be tricky because you must be sure the similarities are
more important than the differences and also that the reader understands both. It’s easy
to say, for example, that the college application process is like a roller coaster, but all that
does is clarify the emotional component of the process. You would need other, more
concrete evidence to develop an argument about the difficulties of the college applica-
tion process.

Facts, Examples, and Details Section 1 / Understanding and Analyzing Evidence
Staying aware of what is happening locally, nationally, and globally ensures a store of
information that can be used as evidence in arguments. Remember that current events
can be interpreted in many ways, so seek out multiple perspectives and be on the look-
out for bias. Knowing the background of the events that you use as evidence is another
way to find strong evidence.
A common type of evidence is historical information — verifiable facts that a writer
knows from research. This kind of evidence can provide background and context for
current issues. It can also help establish ethos because it shows that a writer has taken
the time and effort to research the matter and become informed. Historical information is
often used as an example to develop a point of comparison or contrast to a more con-
temporary situation. For instance, if you’re arguing that college tuition costs should be
lower to ensure that a college education is available to a larger group of people, you
might bring in facts about what college cost in the 1960s and 1970s in today’s dollars
and cents. Providing that context could lay the foundation for an argument about the
need to lower college tuition rates: even accounting for inflation, college costs are much
higher today than fifty years ago, making it less affordable during a time when more jobs
require a college degree. One possible pitfall to keep in mind when using historical infor-
mation as evidence is that historical events are complicated and there isn’t always uni-
versal consensus about what their effects or meanings are. You’ll want to keep your
description of the events brief but also be sure not to misrepresent them.

Expert Opinion
As humanity learns more about itself and the world, our knowledge of individual subjects
becomes increasingly specialized. Thus, when we investigate an issue, we must rely on
experts. Experts hold jobs or have experience that gives them specialized knowledge.
Often, they’ve published scholarly research in their area of expertise. Expert opinion is
the backbone of an evidence-based argument because you are drawing on specialized,
credible knowledge. Keep in mind that you might consult the viewpoint of an individual
who is an “expert” in a local matter but who is not widely recognized. If, for instance, you
are writing about school policy, you might cite the opinion of a teacher or student gov-
ernment officer. The important point is to make certain that your experts provide special-
ized, credible evidence to bolster your argument.

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