A Complete Guide to Using Textual Evidence

The video tutorial explains how to effectively use textual evidence in writing to enhance paper length, improve grades, and avoid plagiarism. It covers four strategies: paraphrasing and citing, incorporating quotes into your own words, introducing quotes, and using block quotes. The tutorial emphasizes the importance of using textual evidence to guide writing and provides examples from literature, including The Great Gatsby and Hamlet. It concludes with a master class on quotation usage, highlighting the need for multiple quotes to establish patterns and support arguments.

What is one of the main benefits of using textual evidence in your writing?

• It makes your paper shorter.

• It helps avoid plagiarism.

• It allows you to use fewer sources.

• It eliminates the need for a thesis.

What is the primary purpose of paraphrasing and citing?

• To make the paper longer.

• To avoid plagiarism while using your own words.

• To confuse the reader.

• To make the text more interesting.

When incorporating quotes into your own words, what is a key consideration?

• Using as many words as possible.

• Ensuring the quote is longer than your sentence.

• Maintaining the context of the quote.

• Avoiding any citation.

What punctuation is recommended for introducing longer quotes?

• Comma

• Semicolon

• Colon

• Period

In MLA format, when should a block quote be used?

• For quotes longer than four lines.

• For quotes that are not important.

• For any quote.

• For quotes shorter than two lines.

What is a potential issue with using block quotes?

• They can be used to fill space without adding value.

• They are always too short.

• They are never cited.

• They are too difficult to read.

What is a key takeaway from Bernard Knox's use of quotes in his analysis?

• Quotes should be used randomly.

• Quotes should never be used in analysis.

• Multiple quotes help establish a pattern.

• Using only one quote is sufficient.

Why is it important to use multiple quotes when discussing a theme?

• To avoid writing your own analysis.

• To confuse the reader.

• To establish a pattern and support your argument.

• To make the paper longer.

What should you do after using a block quote?

• Use another block quote.

• End the paragraph immediately.

• Ignore it and move on.

• Explain its relevance and follow up with analysis.

What is the role of textual evidence in building trust with the reader?

• It allows you to avoid writing a thesis.

• It makes the paper more colorful.

• It shows you have read the material carefully.

• It helps you use fewer sources.