Claim and counterclaim

Evidence selection

Rhetorical appeals

Persuasive structure

MYP English Lang & Lit Evidence Selection Notes

What Are The Main Types of Evidence?

Definition

Evidence

Observations and measurements that support, contradict, or refine a hypothesis or theory.

In three main types of evidence you'll be dealing with are:

Textual evidence (quotations, key moments, patterns in language or structure)
Contextual evidence (relevant information about author, audience, purpose, or historical/cultural setting)
Research evidence (information from primary and secondary sources that supports an interpretation)

Tip

A useful way to think about evidence selection is this chain:
- Question or task → Claim → Evidence → Explanation (analysis) → Conclusion
If any link is weak (for example, evidence that does not truly match the claim), the whole argument becomes shaky.

What Are Primary and Secondary Sources?

Definition

Primary Source

A source with a direct, first-hand connection to what is being studied, such as eyewitness accounts, interviews, surveys, photographs, audio/video recordings, and experimental data.

Definition

Secondary Source

A source that describes, interprets, evaluates, or comments on primary sources (without being first-hand itself), such as reviews, criticism, and many explanatory articles.

Evidence selection is closely tied to source choice.

In research, you usually draw evidence from primary and secondary sources, and you should be able to identify which is which.

Primary sources are often powerful because they are close to the event or text, but they can still be biased or incomplete.

Secondary sources can offer expertise and interpretation, but may introduce their own assumptions or agendas.

Note

In English, the literary text itself is typically a primary source for literary analysis.
A review or a critical essay about that text is a secondary source.

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Note

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Tip

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Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

What Are The Main Types of Evidence?

Definition

Evidence

Observations and measurements that support, contradict, or refine a hypothesis or theory.

In three main types of evidence you'll be dealing with are:
1. Textual evidence (quotations, key moments, patterns in language or structure)
2. Contextual evidence (relevant information about author, audience, purpose, or historical/cultural setting)
3. Research evidence (information from primary and secondary sources that supports an interpretation)

Tip

A useful way to think about evidence selection is this chain:
- Question or task → Claim → Evidence → Explanation (analysis) → Conclusion
If any link is weak (for example, evidence that does not truly match the claim), the whole argument becomes shaky.

What Are Primary and Secondary Sources?

Definition

Primary Source

A source with a direct, first-hand connection to what is being studied, such as eyewitness accounts, interviews, surveys, photographs, audio/video recordings, and experimental data.

Definition

Secondary Source

A source that describes, interprets, evaluates, or comments on primary sources (without being first-hand itself), such as reviews, criticism, and many explanatory articles.

Evidence selection is closely tied to source choice.
In research, you usually draw evidence from primary and secondary sources, and you should be able to identify which is which.
Primary sources are often powerful because they are close to the event or text, but they can still be biased or incomplete.
Secondary sources can offer expertise and interpretation, but may introduce their own assumptions or agendas.

Note

In English, the literary text itself is typically a primary source for literary analysis.
A review or a critical essay about that text is a secondary source.

What's The Role of Credibility and Bias?

Definition

Credibility

The degree to which a source or text is believable and trustworthy, based on evidence, expertise, transparency, and fairness.

Definition

Bias

Bias refers to a systematic preference or inclination that shapes how theories are constructed and applied.

MYP English Lang & Lit Evidence Selection Notes

What Are The Main Types of Evidence?

What Are Primary and Secondary Sources?

What's The Role of Credibility and Bias?

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Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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What Are The Main Types of Evidence?

What Are Primary and Secondary Sources?

What's The Role of Credibility and Bias?

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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Characterization and Human Behaviour5 subtopics

Dramatic Writing and Performance Techniques 4 subtopics

Narrative Perspective and Voice4 subtopics

Poetic Form and Expressive Techniques4 subtopics

Short Story Structure and Theme4 subtopics

Critical Reading and Media Interpretation4 subtopics

Travel Writing and Descriptive Craft3 subtopics

Ethical Reasoning in Texts3 subtopics

Argumentation and Persuasive Writing4 subtopics

Relationships and Interpersonal Themes3 subtopics

Duality, Conflict and Symbolism2 subtopics

Responsibility, Agency and Theme Development4 subtopics

MYP English Lang & Lit Evidence Selection Notes

Characterization and Human Behaviour5 subtopics

Dramatic Writing and Performance Techniques 4 subtopics

Narrative Perspective and Voice4 subtopics

Poetic Form and Expressive Techniques4 subtopics

Short Story Structure and Theme4 subtopics

Critical Reading and Media Interpretation4 subtopics

Travel Writing and Descriptive Craft3 subtopics

Ethical Reasoning in Texts3 subtopics

Argumentation and Persuasive Writing4 subtopics

Relationships and Interpersonal Themes3 subtopics

Duality, Conflict and Symbolism2 subtopics

Responsibility, Agency and Theme Development4 subtopics

What Are The Main Types of Evidence?

What Are Primary and Secondary Sources?

What's The Role of Credibility and Bias?

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

What Are The Main Types of Evidence?

What Are Primary and Secondary Sources?

What's The Role of Credibility and Bias?

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account