Worked Examples

A polished claim with a missing comparison

An invented article says: “Every student who uses Tool R learns faster.” It links a vendor survey in which 60 of 80 respondents said the tool felt helpful. No completion time, control group or nonrespondent information is supplied.

Start by separating the claims. The survey reports perceived helpfulness among respondents. The article claims speed for every student. Those are different outcomes and populations. Calculate 60/80 = 75%, but do not convert that into “75% learned faster.” Find who ran the survey and whether other articles cite this same survey or independent evidence.

A defensible conclusion is: “The reported survey suggests many respondents perceived value; it does not establish faster learning or a universal benefit.” A decision can still be modest: try the tool on a low-cost task and measure whether it helps you, without purchasing it on the strength of this evidence alone.

Reading example

Take the saved-copy passage in the reading lesson. Underline the condition that the intended version remains available. Describe a device-loss case in which a same-device copy fails. Write your own explanation with that boundary intact.

These are invented teaching examples, not claims about an actual product.