Definitions Frequently Used about Evidence—or Problems with Evidence
Merriam- Webster Online (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary) defines cherry pick:
to select as being the best or most
desirable; also :
to select the best or most desirable from |
It is easier to see the meaning of cherry-pick with facts by looking at its
related words.
Synonyms cherry-pick, cull, … handpick, … pick, prefer, select, single (out)… |
Related Words preselect; appoint, … fix, mark, nominate, set, tab, tap; accept, adopt, embrace, espouse … |
Basic
Rule about Avoiding Cherry-Picking Facts: Your credibility will frequently be tied to
your examples. If you select examples that
are atypical or that ignore the contradictions covered in the section you are
using, you will lose that precious credibility.
Merriam- Webster Online (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary) defines
embellish:
to make beautiful with ornamentation :
decorate <a book embellished with illustrations> to heighten the attractiveness of by adding
decorative or fanciful details : enhance <embellished our account of the trip> |
Among the synonyms for embellish are some ugly words about misuse of evidence:
… embroider, exaggerate, hyperbolize, magnify, pad, stretch |
Basic
Rule about Avoiding Embellishing Facts: To quote phrases from that definition
above, you can make-up “fanciful details” about your “account of a trip” but
you cannot make up details about
history—or any discipline that is about reality. If the author of the required
source (the textbook) does not give details, then you can’t—and you don’t need
to. Always verify what you say by checking the source, or don’t say it.
Merriam- Webster Online (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary) defines assume and assumption and opinion:
Assume: to think that something is true or
probably true without knowing that it is true Assumption: something that is believed to be
true or probably true but that is not known to be true : something that is
assumed |
Opinion: a belief, judgment, or way of
thinking about something : what someone thinks about a particular thing |
Now look at the definitions for fact and
evidence. What you ought to notice is that there are not a lot of facts and evidence in assumptions or opinions.
Fact:
something that truly exists or happens : something that has actual existence evidence:
something which shows that something else exists or is true |
Basic
Rule about Avoiding Assumptions and Opinions: Verify what you say by checking a reliable
source, or don’t say it.
Copyright C. J. Bibus, Ed.D. 2003-2014 |
WCJC Department: |
History – Dr. Bibus |
Contact Information: |
281.239.1577 or bibusc@wcjc.edu
|
Last Updated: |
2014 |
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