Textual Evidence

1. Textual Evidence What is it and how do I use it?

2. Textual Evidence • Quotation from a text • Paraphrase of a specific example from a text • When writing about literature, the text is the primary source of evidence. To present a convincing and persuasive analysis, the essay writer must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the text by presenting carefully chosen, pertinent quotations which support each point the essay writer makes.

3. So what are my options? Option 1 • You don’t always have to cite an entire sentence =) Example: Fitzgerald tells us that many people arrived at Gatsby's parties without an invitation, bringing with them only "a simplicity of heart that was its own ticket of admission" (41).

4. Option 2 • Use an introductory sentence with a colon : Example: His charisma was apparent in his smile: “He had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it" (Fitzgerald 48).

5. Option 3 • Use a quotation identifier. Example: Jordan demonstrates little curiosity about Gatsby. When Nick asks her about their mysterious host, she replies simply, "He's just a man named Gatsby" (49). The author writes, “He's just a man named Gatsby" (Fitzgerald 49).

6. So I have to cite it? • When you name the author or the text before the quotation, just put the page number in () after the end “ and before the period. • When talking about more than one book, if you do NOT name the author before the quotation, put the author’s last name and the page number in () after the end “ and before the period.