Relevant — English definition

Directly related to the point being made — evidence is relevant when it actually supports the specific reason it is attached to.

Where it is taught

In use

Not just any evidence will do — it has to be relevant, meaning it actually supports the exact reason it's attached to.

Opinion & Argument Writing

Questions using relevant

Problem 1

A student claims the school library should stay open later and gives the reason that many students have after-school activities. Which piece of evidence is MOST relevant to that reason?
  1. A survey shows most students can't reach the library until after their clubs and sports end at 5 p.m.
  2. The library was built in 1998.
  3. The librarian is very friendly.
  4. The library has over 10,000 books.
Answer and explanation

A survey shows most students can't reach the library until after their clubs and sports end at 5 p.m.

The survey directly supports the reason about after-school activities; the other facts are true but don't prove that students need later hours.

Problem 2

Write a specific, arguable claim about something at your own school, one reason that supports it, and explain why your evidence would need to be relevant to that reason.
Answer and explanation

Example — Claim: Our school should add water-bottle filling stations in the hallways. Reason: the current fountains are crowded and slow, so students don't drink enough during the day. Relevant evidence would need to actually prove that reason — for example, timing how long the line at a fountain gets between classes — rather than an unrelated fact like how many students bring water bottles, which doesn't show the fountains are the problem.

Problem 3

Turn this vague opinion into a strong, arguable claim, then add one reason and one piece of relevant evidence: "Our lunch is bad."
Answer and explanation

Claim: 'Our school should offer at least one hot vegetarian option every day.' Reason: students who don't eat meat currently have few filling choices. Evidence (example): on meat-only days, the salad bar empties early, leaving some students with just a side and a roll.

Claim: 'Our school should offer at least one hot vegetarian option every day.' Reason: students who don't eat meat currently have few filling choices. Evidence (example): on meat-only days, the salad bar empties early, leaving some students with just a side and a roll.

Response criteria

  • Answer the actual question with accurate details.
  • Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
  • State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.

Problem 4

Explain how two relevant details support the model’s conclusion. Name the actual words or actions rather than writing “the text says.”
Answer and explanation

Claim: 'Our school should offer at least one hot vegetarian option every day.' Reason: students who don't eat meat currently have few filling choices. Evidence (example): on meat-only days, the salad bar empties early, leaving some students with just a side and a roll.

Claim: 'Our school should offer at least one hot vegetarian option every day.' Reason: students who don't eat meat currently have few filling choices. Evidence (example): on meat-only days, the salad bar empties early, leaving some students with just a side and a roll.

Response criteria

  • Answer the actual question with accurate details.
  • Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
  • State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.

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