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<\/a>The truth? You can’t handle writing the truth without textual evidence!<\/p><\/div>\n
No matter how eloquent, no matter how grammatically sound, no matter how organized, no matter how correct– without evidence, any and all argumentation will fall flat.<\/p>\n
Textual evidence is evidence, gathered from the original source or other texts, that supports an argument or thesis. Such evidence can be found in the form of a quotation, paraphrased material, and descriptions of the text.<\/p>\n
The paragraphs that follow provide all the information you need to locate relevant textual evidence and to use it in your writing as a direct quote. Throughout this post, you\u2019ll find step-by-step instructions and an example from the start to finish of the process.<\/p>\n
[Continue reading to learn how to find terrific textual evidence!]<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before you can begin the search for that illusive textual evidence that your teachers demand of you, you must first determine what point you\u2019d like to prove. Does the tragic hero\u2019s life crumble about his feet because of his stubborn pride? Does the author use descriptive language to set a particularly dark tone? Once and only once you know what you\u2019d like to prove can you identify a piece of key textual evidence.<\/p>\n As an example, let\u2019s use The Hunger Games and the single most perfect male character known to human-kind: \u00a0Peeta Mellark. In this case, my purpose is to prove to my audience that Peeta\u2019s greatest trait– and the trait that allows him to survive the Hunger Games– is his sense of humor. Bam. Purpose-ified.<\/p>\n Once you know what argument you\u2019d like to make, begin the search for evidence: Find a portion of the text that supports your idea and then locate the most important part of that evidence. Maybe it\u2019s dialogue that points to a character flaw or a snippet of scintillating imagery. Is there a particular word or phrase that is essential to your argument? If you removed that word or phrase, would the evidence be as convincing? Consider the words\u2019 definitions, the feelings they evoke, and the context of the situation.<\/p>\n One scene that demonstrates Peeta\u2019s personality, in my mind, is when Peeta and Katniss are reunited during the Games. The whole scene is sprinkled with Peeta\u2019s wit in what would otherwise be a very dire situation since Katniss finds Peeta dreadfully wounded. However, I cannot quote an entire page of text as my evidence, print my essay, and turn it in. No sir, it is my job to draw attention to only the most important details.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s look at a larger passage narrated by Katniss describing when she first hears Peeta:<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cMy foot has just broken the surface of the water when I hear a voice.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2018You here to finish me off, sweetheart?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I whip around. It\u2019s come from the left, so I can\u2019t pick it up very well. And the voice was hoarse and weak. Still, it must have been Peeta. Who else in the arena would call me sweetheart? My eyes peruse the bank, but there\u2019s nothing. Just mud, the plants, the base of the rocks.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2018Peeta?\u2019 I whisper. \u2018Where are you?\u2019 There\u2019s no answer. Could I just have imagined it? No, I\u2019m certain it was real and very close at hand, too. \u2018Peeta?\u2019 I creep along the bank.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2018Well don\u2019t step on me.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Peeta\u2019s dialogue is meant to be lighthearted and witty. But how can you tell without hearing the words actually spoken aloud? For me, the word \u201csweetheart\u201d seemed very strange at first. \u201cSweetheart\u201d makes me think of love songs, romantic comedies, and other gooey emotional stuff. Strange indeed, considering the context: \u00a0a violent, battle-to-the-death scenario. Who would use such an endearing name in the arena? The person must not be using the word somewhat ironically.<\/p>\n And \u201cfinish me off?\u201d This is euphemistic considering the gore and horrors surrounding them and considering, ultimately, one of them will have to be killed. I can\u2019t imagine the speaker is serious since I think he\u2019d use a more harsh phrase if he were.<\/p>\n Peeta saying, \u201cDon\u2019t step on me\u201d is funny too since he could have just as easily told her where he was rather than making her search for him. It reminds me of someone taunting someone else while playing hide and seek.<\/p>\n All of these observations about word choice are important. Especially when it comes to published works, every word is chosen for a reason. And even more so with fiction: \u00a0authors can choose to say whatever they\u2019d like, however they\u2019d like, so every word is an important decision that crafts the story in a purposeful way. In this case, I think the author put in extra thought when choosing \u201csweetheart\u201d and \u201cfinish me off,\u201d and so, these would be perfect pieces of evidence for my essay.<\/p>\nEvidence of What?<\/h2>\n