Don’t just pull numbers out of a hat…

Don’t just pull numbers out of a hat… Statistics as Supporting Details “It is the mark of a truly intelligent person to be moved by statistics.”

Statistics as Supporting Details Support your IDEAS Showcase your WORD CHOICE Increase your essay’s SENTENCE FLUENCY!!

What are Statistics? Quite simply put Statistics are numbers. Numbers and statistics are powerful pieces of evidence that can effectively strengthen any argument. However, as simple and straightforward as these little numbers promise to be, statistics, if not used carefully, can create more problems than they solve.

Percentages–In a recent survey, 74% of all students agreed. Proportions– An article in the local paper stated, 4 out of 5 people would rather . . . What are Statistics? Fractions– At my school, 1/3of everyone surveyed believed. Using Statistics will support the idea and/or belief you are presenting in your essay. (Also, notice how each Statistic begins with a Transitional Device). Write On! “It is the mark of a truly intelligent person to be moved by statistics.” Statistics as Supporting Details

Use a transitionaldevice to introduce the statistic: When I asked some of my classmates . . . When using Statistics, you should… A recent article stated . . . In fact Write On! Current research found . . . Evidence has shown . . . Studies have concluded. . . in The Sun Sentinel . . . on AOL News . . . in Time Magazine . Recently, an article cite a newspaper, magazine, or Internet source “It is the mark of a truly intelligent person to be moved by statistics.” Statistics as Supporting Details

When using Statistics, you should… • Use proper punctuation. • Identify the source • Linkit to the topic. • Make sure the Statisticssupports • the reason.

How do I know if I am using Statisticseffectively? • Ask yourself these questions Does the Statistic support the evidence I am trying to establish? Does the Statistic make sense in relation to the topic I am discussing? Have I cited my source for the Statistic? Have I Linked my Statistic to the information in the paragraph effectively?

Why is it important to use a Statistic? By incorporating a Statisticin your quote, you will show evidence of: Word Choice - the terminology associated with statistics is a wonderful way to exhibit Word Choice. Sentence Fluency – starting a sentence with a transitional element will demonstrate a more complicated form of sentence as opposed to the standard S-V-O sentence. Conventions– Remember that comma after the transition!

By incorporating a Statisticin your quote, you will show evidence of: Ideas– LinkingStatistics from various sources demonstrates your ability to connect your ideas to the topic. Why is it important to use a Statistic? Voice- Your personality can shine through when you rephrase the quote in your own personal style. Organization– Using atransitionto introduce a statistic and presenting it in a sequential fashion is a logical progression from one point to the next. “It is the mark of a truly intelligent person to be moved by statistics.” Statistics as Supporting Details

The numbers one through nine should be spelled out; use figures for numbers 10 and above. • I want three copies. I want 10copies. Important rules for writing numbers • With a group of related numbers where one number is above nine in a sentence, write the numbers all in figures. Use words if all related numbers are below 10. • I asked for 5pencils, not 50. • My 10 students talked to the other teacher’s 2 students. • My nine students talked with the other teacher’s two students. • Always spell out simple fractions and use hyphens with them. • One-half of the students ordered pizza for lunch. • A two-thirds majority is required for a bill to pass in Congress.

The simplest way to express large numbers is best. Be careful to be consistent within a sentence. • You can earn anywhere between one million to five million dollars. • You can earn anywhere between $1,000,000 to $5,000,000. Important rules for writing numbers • The following examples apply when using dates: • The last day of school is scheduled for June 1. • The last day of school is scheduled for the firstof June. • We have had tricks played on us on April 1. • Thefirstof April makes some people nervous. • When expressing decades, you may spell them out and lowercase them. • During the eighties and nineties, the United States economy grew.

You may also express decades in complete numerals. Don't use an apostrophe between the year and the s. • During the 1980s and 1990s, the United States economy grew. Important rules for writing numbers • Hyphenate all compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine. • Forty-threestudents were honored at the school assembly. • Twenty-threeof them were seniors. • Write out a number if it begins a sentence. • Twenty-nine students won an award for helping their communities. • The fact that 29 students won an award for helping their communities was fantastic

Statistics as Supporting Details Body paragraphs using Statisticsas supporting details Furthermore, modern technology has increased the ease of traveling. Currently, one can reach the other side of the globe while resting comfortably. It’s like having a living room that can fly all around the world. Recently,the New York Times posted an article that revealed that almost one fourth of Americans travel on an airplane at least twice a year, and there are many more ways to travel besides flying. One can easily travel by car, train, bicycle, motor home, and a great deal more. Obviously, technology is crucial because it allows a person to travel in ways one never thought possible. Furthermore, modern technology has increased the ease of traveling. Currently, one can reach the other side of the globe while resting comfortably. It’s like having a living room that can fly all around the world. Recently, the New York Times posted an article that revealed that almost one fourth of Americans travel on an airplane at least twice a year, and there are many more ways to travel besides flying. One can easily travel by car, train, bicycle, motor home, and a great deal more. Obviously, technology is crucial because it allows a person to travel in ways one never thought possible. Furthermore, modern technology has increased the ease of traveling. Currently, one can reach the other side of the globe while resting comfortably. It’s like having a living room that can fly all around the world. Recently,the New York Times posted an article that revealed that almost one fourth of Americans travel on an airplane at least twice a year, and there are many more ways to travel besides flying. One can easily travel by car, train, bicycle, motor home, and a great deal more. Obviously, technology is crucial because it allows a person to travel in ways one never thought possible. Fraction Identify the Statistic

Body paragraphs using Statisticsas supporting details Statistics as Supporting Details To begin with, I would choose Spanish, a foreign language, as my extra class in school because Spanish is necessary in life to climb the career ladder. Recent studies have shown seven out of eight young adults who speak Spanish as well as English are more successful in life and have more prestigious jobs than those who do not speak Spanish at all. Also, by being able to speak Spanish I would be able to communicate with people who do not speak English. I can also have more job opportunities because many positions now request job applicants be bilingual. Indeed, knowing how to speak Spanish is quickly becoming a necessity in life. To begin with, I would choose Spanish, a foreign language, as my extra class in school because Spanish is necessary in life to climb the career ladder. Recent studies have shown seven out of eight young adults who speak Spanish as well as English are more successful in life and have more prestigious jobs than those who do not speak Spanish at all. Also, by being able to speak Spanish I would be able to communicate with people who do not speak English. I can also have more job opportunities because many positions now request job applicants be bilingual. Indeed, knowing how to speak Spanish is quickly becoming a necessity in life. Proportion Identify the Statistic

Body paragraphs using Statisticsas supporting details Statistics as Supporting Details Initially, basketball is my preferred sport to watch because all the players, coaches, and staff cooperate with each other. It is like seeing an octopus; all the tentacles guided by one brain.Watching CNN last week, I learned that 70% of Americans chose basketball as their preferred sport to observe.Basically, in basketball there are many positions to fill, but no one person can do every job. If the players cooperate together and work with their coaches, the team will be up and running like an NBA squad. Evidently, cooperation is one of the key aspects that makes me love watching basketball. Initially, basketball is my preferred sport to watch because all the players, coaches, and staff cooperate with each other. It is like seeing an octopus; all the tentacles guided by one brain.Watching CNN last week,I learned that70% of Americans chose basketball as their preferred sport to observe.Basically, in basketball there are many positions to fill, but no one person can do every job. If the players cooperate together and work with their coaches, the team will be up and running like an NBA squad. Evidently, cooperation is one of the key aspects that makes me love watching basketball. Percentage Identify the Statistic

Body paragraphs using Statisticsas supporting details Statistics as Supporting Details First of all, technology makes the living experience less complex. From calculating taxes to researching information for a project, technology is there to help. Without it, tasks would either be nearly impossible to complete or would take twice as much time. Comparing the work done by a human and work done by a computer is like racing a turtle against a cheetah; there is no competition. In fact, four out of five teachers believe that work completed using a computer is more thoroughly researched, more organized, and is completed in a fraction of the time compared to the outdated method of roaming endlessly around the library.Thus, making tasks easier and clearer is an important aspect of technology. First of all, technology makes the living experience less complex. From calculating taxes to researching information for a project, technology is there to help. Without it, tasks would either be nearly impossible to complete or would take twice as much time. Comparing the work done by a human and work done by a computer is like racing a turtle against a cheetah; there is no competition. In fact, fourout of five teachers believe that work completed using a computer is more thoroughly researched, more organized, and is completed in a fraction of the time compared to the outdated method of roaming endlessly around the library.Thus, making tasks easier and clearer is an important aspect of technology. Identify the Statistic Proportion

Body paragraphs using Statisticsas supporting details Statistics as Supporting Details To begin with, the curfew law should be kept in effect because it helps keep children safe. Studies have shown that one fourth of juvenile occur past 10:00 p.m. In fact,the rate of these instances increase by one thirdbetween daytime hours into nighttime hours. If children are allowed to wander aimlessly around without adult supervision, they will eventually become bored and this is when the trouble starts! When a curfew is in effect, cases of fights between teenagers drop dramatically. Obviously, keeping the 10:00 PM curfew law is essential in keeping our children safe. To begin with, the curfew law should be kept in effect because it helps keep children safe. Studies have shown that one fourth of juvenile occur past 10:00 p.m. In fact,the rate of these instances increase by one thirdbetween daytime hours into nighttime hours. If children are allowed to wander aimlessly around without adult supervision, they will eventually become bored and this is when the trouble starts! When a curfew is in effect, cases of fights between teenagers drop dramatically. Obviously, keeping the 10:00 PM curfew law is essential in keeping our children safe. Fraction Identify the Statistic

What if you don’t have access to research? Use common sense… Think of people you know and their opinions on the topic. Incorporate this knowledge in the form of a Statistic. General terms such as: majority, minority, for the most part, etc. can take the place of specific Statistics.

Body paragraphs using Statisticsas supporting details Statistics as Supporting Details Equally important, coming back with a fresher mind is why students should not get homework over the weekends. At my school, a majority of students said they felt more invigorated and as if they could work better after a homework free weekend. If assignments are piled on students during the weekend, then they will be studying all weekend and won’t be refreshed when school starts again. Unquestionably, students should not be forced to complete homework on the weekends because then their minds will not be relaxed and ready for the knowledge their teachers are presenting. Equally important, coming back with a fresher mind is why students should not get homework over the weekends. At my school, a majority of students said they felt more invigorated and as if they could work better after a homework free weekend. If assignments are piled on students during the weekend, then they will be studying all weekend and won’t be refreshed when school starts again. Unquestionably, students should not be forced to complete homework on the weekends because then their minds will not be relaxed and ready for the knowledge their teachers are presenting. Percentage Identify the Statistic

Body paragraphs using Statisticsas supporting details Statistics as Supporting Details Equally important, music soothes the soul. No matter what age a person is, music has the ability to immediately raise his or her spirits. A baby is rocked to sleep with a lullaby sung by a mother or a classical CD of baby tunes. For a young girl, Justin Bieber automatically puts a smile on her face and gets her feet tapping. A bunch of teenage guys may get together to release energy by playing Rock Band and jamming to all kinds of classic rock songs.In fact, three out of four of my friendsadmit to turning to their iPods when stress overwhelms them. We don’t count number four because nothing ever bothers her. Clearly, music transcends age and has the ability to make any person feel good. Equally important, music soothes the soul. No matter what age a person is, music has the ability to immediately raise his or her spirits. A baby is rocked to sleep with a lullaby sung by a mother or a classical CD of baby tunes. For a young girl, Justin Bieber automatically puts a smile on her face and gets her feet tapping. A bunch of teenage guys may get together to release energy by playing Rock Band and jamming to all kinds of classic rock songs.In fact, three out of four of my friendsadmit to turning to their iPods when stress overwhelms them. We don’t count number four because nothing ever bothers her. Clearly, music transcends age and has the ability to make any person feel good. Proportion Identify the Statistic

Don’t just pull numbers out of a hat…