What is textual evidence, and how should you use it in analysis?

What is textual evidence, and how should you use it in analysis?

• A. Quotes or paraphrase; use it to support claims with precise reference
• B. Personal opinions and beliefs
• C. Only direct quotes, never paraphrase
• D. Textual evidence is optional in analysis

Answer: (A)

Using textual evidence means pulling exact words or a concise restatement from the text to back up your analysis. It anchors your ideas in what the author actually wrote, showing clearly where your interpretation comes from. When you use evidence, pick parts that directly support the point you’re making about theme, character, mood, or meaning. You can quote verbatim, with quotation marks and a signal that ties the quote to your point, or you can paraphrase the idea in your own words while still naming where it comes from. Either way, you should explain how the evidence supports your claim, not just drop in lines or ideas without connection. Personal opinions or beliefs aren’t textual evidence because they come from you, not the text. Paraphrasing is allowed, and it’s helpful to show you understand the material, not just lift phrases from it. And textual evidence isn’t optional in analysis—grounding your argument in specific parts of the text makes your interpretation stronger and more credible.

Using textual evidence means pulling exact words or a concise restatement from the text to back up your analysis. It anchors your ideas in what the author actually wrote, showing clearly where your interpretation comes from. When you use evidence, pick parts that directly support the point you’re making about theme, character, mood, or meaning. You can quote verbatim, with quotation marks and a signal that ties the quote to your point, or you can paraphrase the idea in your own words while still naming where it comes from. Either way, you should explain how the evidence supports your claim, not just drop in lines or ideas without connection.

Personal opinions or beliefs aren’t textual evidence because they come from you, not the text. Paraphrasing is allowed, and it’s helpful to show you understand the material, not just lift phrases from it. And textual evidence isn’t optional in analysis—grounding your argument in specific parts of the text makes your interpretation stronger and more credible.