Citing Textual Evidence

Textual evidence refers to specific pieces of information or quotes from a text that support an argument or claim.

Citing textual evidence is important because it lends credibility to your argument, allows readers to verify your sources, and helps avoid plagiarism.

A proper citation typically includes the author's last name, the title of the work, and the page number if applicable.

Quotes should be integrated smoothly into a sentence, often using a signal phrase, and should be followed by a citation.

A signal phrase is a phrase that introduces a quote or paraphrase, indicating the source of the information.

A direct quote is the exact wording from a source, while a paraphrase is a restatement of the information in your own words.

Quotes should be enclosed in quotation marks and followed by a citation that includes the author's last name and page number.

Analyzing textual evidence involves examining the evidence to explain how it supports your argument or claim.

Examples are used to illustrate a point, clarify a concept, and provide evidence to support an argument.

A piece of evidence is relevant if it directly supports the argument being made and is appropriate for the context.