Relevant and Irrelevant Evidence

Judge whether a piece of evidence actually connects to the claim it is meant to support.

Evidence is relevant only if it directly supports the specific reason or claim it is attached to. Writers, especially in persuasive texts, sometimes include details that sound impressive but do not actually connect. Read: 'Our town needs a new library. The current library was built in 1962. Our town's soccer team won the regional championship last year. The library has only four computers for 12,000 residents. ' The first detail (an old building) and the third (few computers) relate to the need for a library.

The soccer championship is irrelevant; it may make readers feel proud of the town, but it gives no reason for a new library. To test relevance, put the evidence and claim side by side and ask: 'Does this help prove that? ' If the honest answer is 'not really', the evidence is irrelevant. Spotting irrelevant evidence helps you evaluate arguments and keeps your own writing focused.

• 1Relevant evidence directly supports the specific claim.
• 2Impressive-sounding details can still be irrelevant.
• 3Test: does this actually help prove that?