Example vs Evidence

An example shows what something could look like, such as a sample email or a template. Evidence is a real source, like a policy document or a screenshot, that supports whether a claim is true. Examples help you understand form, while evidence is what you check for accuracy.

• Examples often use invented or generic details.
• Evidence points to real documents or data.
• Examples start with phrases like 'for instance' or 'such as.'
• Evidence can be checked or verified against a source.

AI assistants are trained to help you understand structure or phrasing, so they often produce examples to show you what something could look like. Unless you ask for a source or proof, the model may not provide evidence automatically.

• When you need to check if a claim is accurate.
• If you will use the information in a decision or report.
• Whenever the number or rule affects money, people, or deadlines.
• If you would be embarrassed to be wrong.

No. An example can help you understand what to look for, but it does not prove that something is true or real. Only a source—such as a document, link, or screenshot—can count as evidence.

• 'For example,'
• 'Such as,'
• 'Let’s say,'
• 'Here’s a sample,'
• 'Imagine,'

No. Confidence in phrasing does not mean the answer is supported by evidence. A confident answer can still be an example, or even incorrect. Always check for a source if the claim matters.

1. Ask for a source document, link, or screenshot.
2. Request the exact policy, rule, or data supporting the claim.
3. Check the reference yourself before acting on the answer.

You risk making decisions based on something that is not supported by real data or policy. This can lead to errors, missed deadlines, or even financial loss if the example does not match reality.

Sometimes, a real document or screenshot is used to illustrate a point, and it can look similar to an example. The key difference is that evidence is checkable and tied to a real event or rule, while an example is not.

1. Look for a source you can check.
2. Ask where the information came from.
3. If you can’t verify it, treat it as an example.

No. AI assistants are trained to generate helpful text, but they do not always separate examples from evidence. You need to ask for sources and check claims yourself when accuracy matters.

Examples and evidence often look similar on the screen, especially when both are well-written. Because both can appear in helpful answers, it’s easy to mistake a sample or template for proof of a claim.

1. Find the key claim you would act on.
2. Ask for the source or document behind it.
3. Open the source and check if it matches.

No. Templates and samples help you organise or communicate, but they do not prove that a rule or number is real. Always look for evidence if the claim will be used in a decision or report.

• Always ask for a source document or link.
• Check the claim against the real policy or data.
• Be cautious with numbers or rules that come in sample form.

You might approve an expense, set a deadline, or make a policy change based on something that was only a sample. This can cause confusion, errors, or even financial loss if the example does not match the real rule.

Yes. Examples are useful for showing how a process works, but you should always check the numbers or rules against real evidence before acting on them.

• It uses invented names or details.
• It starts with 'for example' or 'let’s say.'
• It doesn’t point to a real document or source.

1. Show both side by side using real work documents.
2. Highlight the source in evidence, and the pattern in examples.
3. Remind them to always check claims that matter.

An 'illustrative' answer is another way of saying it’s an example. It helps you see what something could look like, but it is not proof that the claim is true. Always look for evidence if you need to be sure.