Evidence is the facts or information used to support an idea or claim.
Evidence is used in many different ways in the world of education. It can be used to support a point, as proof of something, or as proof that something happened. In an essay, evidence is often used to prove a point. This means that the writer will use facts and information from their research to prove their point. Evidence can also be used as proof that something happened, such as proving that a historical event took place. When it comes to writing an essay, there are two main types of evidence: direct and indirect.
What is direct evidence?
Direct evidence refers to information which clearly proves a point or claim in an essay. For example, if you were writing about how human activity has contributed to climate change, you could use scientific research on this topic as direct evidence. This type of evidence would clearly prove your point and make it easier for your reader to understand your argument.
What is indirect evidence?
“In legal proceedings”, indirect evidence refers to circumstantial or hearsay (hearsay meaning second-hand) information which may help support a claim but cannot be proven directly.
In an essay setting however, indirect evidence might refer more generally to any information which supports your argument but does not directly prove it. For example, if you were writing about how human activity has contributed towards climate change but don’t have any scientific research at hand which proves this point directly, you could use reports from organisations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) instead.
