Writing · Free lesson
Marketing English: ask what supports a claim
A draft says “20% faster.” Before using it, you need to know what was measured and what it was compared with.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
Write “What evidence supports the claim ‘20% faster’?” Then ask “Faster than which version, and on which task?” This identifies the claim and the missing comparison. It does not declare the claim true or false.
Quote the claim, then ask for its support and scope.
A claim is a statement presented as true; evidence is information that supports or challenges it. “What evidence supports…” keeps attention on the statement. A percentage comparison also needs a baseline and a measured task. Evidence from one task does not automatically support a claim about every task. A request for support is different from “That is a lie.”
Compare the examples
What evidence supports the claim “20% faster”?
Faster than which version?
Does the result apply only to file exports?
Evidence is normally uncountable: some evidence or a piece of evidence, not an evidence.
Build the meaning step by step
Identify the exact statement
the claim “20% faster”
Ask for the basis
What evidence supports this claim?
Ask about the comparison
Which version and task were compared?
Try it now
Ask a useful review question
Read all answers and explanations
You have not seen support for “20% faster.” Ask for it neutrally.
What evidence supports the claim “20% faster”?The question requests support without assuming honesty or accuracy either way.
Which question asks for the comparison baseline?
Faster than which version?Which version asks what the speed result was compared with.
Evidence covers file exports only. Which question checks a broader headline?
Do we have evidence that this applies to other tasks?It checks whether the broader claim has support beyond the measured task.
Put it into practice
Rewrite the copy-review comment
The draft says “20% faster.” You have not seen the evidence, comparison version or measured task. Ask for them without declaring the claim false.
This number is fake. Remove it.
See a model answer
Could you share the evidence for “20% faster,” including the comparison version and measured task?
The comment starts an evidence check; it does not certify the eventual advertisement.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Does no evidence shown mean the claim is false?
No. Say that support has not been provided or reviewed. That accurately describes what you know without inventing a conclusion.
Does support mean agreeing with a person here?
Here it means providing a basis for a claim. “The data support this comparison” concerns the statement, not personal loyalty.
Take it into your day
A useful evidence request names the claim and the comparison it depends on.
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