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Master the art of proving your ideas by finding and citing specific details from the text.
Imagine you are a lawyer in a high-stakes courtroom. You stand up and shout, 'The defendant is guilty!' but when the judge asks for proof, you have nothing to show. Would you win your case? In writing, your ideas are only as strong as the evidence you provide.
In English class, a claim is an idea you have about a story, like 'The main character is lonely.' But a claim without proof is just an opinion. Textual evidence is the specific information from the book that proves your claim is true. Think of it like a 'receipt' for your thoughts. To find good evidence, look for direct quotes (the author's exact words) or specific details (actions or descriptions). When you use the author's exact words, you must put them inside "quotation marks" to show they aren't yours.
Quick Check
What are the marks you must use when copying an author's words exactly?
Answer
Quotation marks
Scenario: You want to prove that the character Sarah is a fast runner. 1. Read the passage: 'Sarah zipped past the oak tree, her breath coming in short gasps as the finish line drew closer. She checked her watch and saw she had beaten her old record by ten seconds.' 2. Identify the evidence: 'She had beaten her old record by ten seconds.' 3. This specific detail proves she is fast because it shows she is improving her speed.
You can't just 'drop' a quote into a paragraph without warning. This is called a 'dropped quote,' and it confuses readers. Instead, use a signal phrase to introduce your evidence. This acts like a handshake between your ideas and the author's words. Common phrases include: According to the text..., The author states..., or In the second chapter.... These phrases tell the reader, 'Hey, look! Here comes the proof!'
Quick Check
Why shouldn't you just drop a quote into a paragraph without an introductory phrase?
Answer
It confuses the reader and makes the writing feel disconnected.
Let's improve a sentence by adding a signal phrase. 1. Weak: Sarah is fast. 'She beat her record by ten seconds.' 2. Strong: Sarah is a talented athlete. According to the text, 'she had beaten her old record by ten seconds.' 3. Notice how the second version flows better and sounds more professional.
Finding a quote is only half the job. The most important part is the analysis. This is where you explain how the evidence proves your point. You are building a bridge between the quote and your claim. Don't assume the reader sees what you see! Use phrases like This shows that... or This proves... to connect the dots. If your claim is and your evidence is , your explanation is the logic that says .
Claim: The setting of the story is dangerous. 1. Evidence: 'Jagged rocks lined the narrow path, and the wind howled like a hungry wolf.' 2. Introduction: The author describes the environment by stating, 'Jagged rocks lined the narrow path...' 3. Explanation: This proves the setting is dangerous because the 'jagged rocks' suggest a person could easily get hurt, and the 'howling wind' creates a scary, threatening mood.
Which of the following is the best example of a signal phrase?
What is the purpose of 'Analysis' in a paragraph?
You only need to use quotation marks if you are quoting more than three sentences.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to remember the three parts of a perfect evidence sandwich: Introduction, Evidence, and Analysis.
Practice Activity
Pick a character from a movie you watched recently. Write one claim about them (e.g., 'They are brave') and find one specific 'scene' (evidence) that proves it!