In three pieces of informational writing, sample 1’s author provides evidence tangential to his argument. Sample 2’s author cites anecdotal evidence that is inaccurate. Sample 3’s author cites accurate, directly related evidence, but it is an isolated example uncorroborated by any other sources. Which choice correctly matches these samples with incompletely met criteria?
A. Sample 1’s evidence is not factual; sample 2’s is not sufficient; sample 3’s is not relevant.
B. Sample 1’s evidence is not relevant; sample 2’s is not factual; sample 3’s is not sufficient.
C. Sample 1’s evidence is not sufficient; sample 2’s is not relevant; sample 3’s is not factual.
D. The evidence of samples 1 and 3 is insufficient; sample 2’s evidence is factual but irrelevant.
Answer:B
In three pieces of informational writing, sample 1’s author provides evidence tangential to his argument. Sample 2’s author cites anecdotal evidence that is inaccurate. Sample 3’s author cites accurate, directly related evidence, but it is an isolated example uncorroborated by any other sources. Which choice correctly matches these samples with incompletely met criteria?
A. Sample 1’s evidence is not factual; sample 2’s is not sufficient; sample 3’s is not relevant. B. Sample 1’s evidence is not relevant; sample 2’s is not factual; sample 3’s is not sufficient. C. Sample 1’s evidence is not sufficient; sample 2’s is not relevant; sample 3’s is not factual. D. The evidence of samples 1 and 3 is insufficient; sample 2’s evidence is factual but irrelevant.
Explanation: Sample 1’s author cites evidence that is tangential to his argument; hence, it is not relevant. Sample 2’s author cites anecdotal evidence which is inaccurate; hence, it is not factual. Sample 3’s author cites evidence that is factual (accurate) and relevant (directly related), but not sufficient (an isolated example uncorroborated by any other sources). Criteria for evaluating evidence used in the informational text include that the evidence is relevant, factual, and sufficient to accomplish the author’s purpose (e.g., proving the author’s point[s] and/or persuading the reader).