Sufficiency — English definition

Defined in 3 courses:

Whether evidence is enough to support the scope of a particular claim. (English 7: Reading, Evidence & Expression)
Whether there is enough credible, representative evidence to carry the weight of the claim. (English 11: American Voices, Identity & Public Memory)
Whether there is enough credible, representative evidence — of the right kind — to carry the weight of the conclusion. (English 12: Complex Texts, Independent Inquiry & Public Voice)

Where it is taught

Evaluate Arguments: Claims, Reasons & Evidence — Argument, Counterclaims & Revision, English 7: Reading, Evidence & Expression, Grade 7
Evaluating Reasoning & Evidence — Public Argument, Rhetoric & Competing Accounts, English 11: American Voices, Identity & Public Memory, Grade 11
Evaluating Complex Reasoning — Argument & Rhetoric, English 12: Complex Texts, Independent Inquiry & Public Voice, Grade 12

In use

The second standard is sufficiency: even relevant evidence has to be enough, and of the right kind, to carry the claim.
Evaluating Reasoning & Evidence

Sufficiency asks whether there is enough of the right kind of evidence to carry the claim; one study, one anecdote, one favorable year rarely settles a broad conclusion.
Evaluating Complex Reasoning

Questions using sufficiency

Problem 1

Explain sufficiency in your own words and give an example from the assigned reading or a fresh sentence.

Answer and explanation

Whether evidence is enough to support the scope of a particular claim. The unit case offers this example to examine: The draft enlarges a limited response count into a claim about everyone. Twelve of eighteen respondents selected quieter drawing from two offered options, but the group excluded nonattendees and the response did not promise complete silence. The evidence can support testing an activity time, with further feedback before making a broader conclusion. Identify the wording or choice that fits the term. A different accurate example is acceptable.

Use the model to discuss reasoning after an independent attempt. A different accurate supported response can be correct; written work needs human marking.

Problem 2

Explain the difference between the 'relevance' and the 'sufficiency' of evidence, using your own brief example.

Answer and explanation

Relevance is whether evidence actually bears on the claim; sufficiency is whether there is enough of it. For example, one satisfied customer's review is relevant to a claim that a product works, but a single review is not sufficient to prove it works for most people.

Taught alongside

Elsewhere

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