Precise evidence is a specific fact that supports a point: a date, a figure, an action or a decision. Names alone are not evidence. A list such as “the union, the firms and the council” tells the reader who was there, but not what happened or why it matters.
This lesson sits in writing and answer development and follows planning around the question.
What is the difference between a name and evidence?
A name points to a person or group. Evidence says what that person or group did, in a way that supports your claim.
Compare two sentences about the invented Port Marlow dock dispute of 1926. “The firms were involved in the strike” names the firms. “The firms brought in outside workers from 17 May, and unloading ran at about half speed” is evidence, because it can be checked and it supports a point about pressure on the firms.
How do you turn a name into evidence?
Ask three short questions about every name or term you write:
- Did what? Which action or decision?
- When or how much? Give the date, figure or sequence.
- So what? Which point in your answer does this fact support?
If you cannot answer “so what”, the fact does not belong in that paragraph.
Worked example
The setting is invented: the Port Marlow dock dispute of 1926. The facts:
- 10% pay cut announced by the firms: 1 March
- Strike begins: 3 May
- Outside workers arrive: 17 May, unloading at about half speed
- Council proposes talks: 8 June
- Union fund empty: 12 June
- Agreement cutting the reduction to 5%: 19 June
Question: Why did the strike end on 19 June?
Draft paragraph with names only:
“The union, the firms and the council were all important. The council was involved in talks and the union had problems. The firms also faced problems, so they agreed in the end.”
Revision, step by step:
- “The union had problems” becomes “the union fund was empty by 12 June” (did what, when).
- “The council was involved in talks” becomes “the council proposed talks on 8 June” (did what, when).
- “The firms faced problems” becomes “outside workers unloaded at about half speed” (what, how much).
- Add the so-what to each: why the fact helps explain the ending.
Revised paragraph:
“The strike ended mainly because the union ran out of money. The strike fund was empty by 12 June, one week before the agreement, so the dockers could not continue without wages. The firms also had reason to settle, since outside workers unloaded at about half speed. The council’s proposal for talks on 8 June gave both sides a route to the 5% compromise.”
Each sentence now carries a fact and a link to the question. The reader can see the reasoning.
The mistake to watch for
Mistaken revision: “The strike fund was empty by 12 June. The council proposed talks on 8 June. Outside workers arrived on 17 May.”
The facts are exact, but they are a list. Nothing says how each one answers “why did it end”.
Precise evidence without a link is only a list of dates. After every fact, add a clause beginning “so”, “which meant” or “this matters because”.
Check yourself
1. Make this sentence precise: “The firms did something to keep the port working.”
Show answer
For example: “The firms brought in outside workers from 17 May to keep unloading going.” It now says who, what and when.
2. Add a so-what to this fact: “The agreement of 19 June cut the pay reduction to 5%.”
Show answer
For example: “…which shows the firms accepted a smaller cut than they first announced, so the dockers gained part of what they wanted.” Any link that ties the fact to the question is fine.
3. Which is better evidence for “the union was weakening”: “the union was in trouble” or “the fund was empty by 12 June”?
Show answer
“The fund was empty by 12 June.” It is specific and checkable. The first phrase is an assertion with no support.
Where does this lead next?
Evidence also comes from sources. The next lesson shows how to use a short quotation well: explain the relevance of a quotation. You can also test all four skills in the practice set.
If you want a teacher to look at your own notes and show you which facts are doing real work, online one-to-one History tuition is built for that kind of line-by-line feedback.