In writing, what does it mean to back up your claims with evidence?

Backing up your claims with evidence means to defend your assertions or arguments using specific data, facts, examples, or quotations that support your point of view. When you defend your claims, you provide a robust foundation that strengthens your argument, making it more credible and persuasive to your audience. This practice is essential in writing, as it allows readers to see the reasoning behind your assertions, fostering engagement and understanding.

Assessing involves evaluating or analyzing something rather than providing supporting details for a claim. Interpreting refers to explaining the meaning of something rather than supporting an argument. Summarizing means to condense information into a brief overview without necessarily providing supporting evidence for claims.