Chapter 5 – Organizing EvidenceEnglish Comp 101

Why is organizing evidence important?

Using the Patterns of Development will help you to decide the best way to tell your story with the greatest impact.

For instance, if you are writing a paper to convince people not to get a flu shot because exposure to a live virus can cause more health issues, which pattern might you use?

Topic: Do not get a flu shotPatterns of Development: Narrative Description Illustration Division-classification Process Analysis Compare/Contrast Cause/Effect Definition Argumentation

Cause and Effect because:You will show the negative effects that flu shots can have on the population.

Next, how will you approach your topic?

This is when you look at the evidence you have gathered on your topic.

How, do I present it to make the greatest impact?

4 Ways to Organize1. Chronological Approach (Timeline -1st,

2nd, 3rd)2. Spatial Approach (See the action from

space as they occur)3. Emphatic Approach (small to BIG

IMPACT)4. 4. Simple-to-complex Approachsmall ideas >>>> LARGER concept

Chronological TimelineChronological Approach (Timeline -1st, 2nd, 3rd)

Explain events as they occur in a sequence.Example: Your biggest accomplishment while working a summer job.

Spatial ApproachIt told from a bird’s eye view

Example: A day in the life of a NY City cab driver.

How would you use this pattern?

Emphatic ApproachWhen you save the point with the greatest impact at the end, you build momentum as you pull the reader along for a BIG moment.

Example: You may discuss how your fears have kept you from achieving things. Begin with the small fears then build up to the BIG story. Can used with compare/contrast, division/classification.

Simple-to-complex Approach When explaining a difficult concept,

start by simplifying ideas then work up to a more complex ones.

The Rogerian Strategy

Main Concept: Use the opposing side to reveal conflict

A good argument shows that you have thought about both sides

Make sure the opposing view, however, is not as strong as your view

Rogerian Strategy ExampleThesis: There should be a 10-day waiting period to purchase a gun.

Before you argue your position in the introduction, you might say:

“Opponents of the waiting period argue that the 10-day wait is worthless without a nationwide computer network to perform background checks.“

Inductive Reasoning1. Examine specific case or strong fact or example 2. Draw a Conclusion

EXAMPLE:FACT: Studies show that smoking is hazardous to your health.Conclusion: Smoking increases the risk of cancer.

Deductive ReasoningBegins with a general statement and moves to specific idea BIG to small

There are three parts:1. Major Premise2. Minor Premise3. Conclusion

Deductive Reasoning ExampleMajor Premise: In an accident, larger vehicles are safer than smaller ones.

Minor Premise: A sport utility vehicle is a large vehicle. Conclusion: In an accident, an SUV would be the safer than a small vehicle