Citing Textual Evidence

Support answers by quoting or pointing to specific evidence from the text.

Citing textual evidence means backing up your answer with specific words or details from the text. In middle school, answers without evidence are incomplete. A strong cited answer has three parts. First, make your point. Second, introduce and give the evidence, either a short quotation or a precise paraphrase. Third, explain how the evidence supports your point. Here is an example based on a short story where a girl practices piano. Point: 'Sofia is determined to improve.

' Evidence: 'The narrator says she practiced 'until the streetlights flickered on, long after her fingers ached'. ' Explanation: 'Practicing through pain and darkness shows she will not quit until she gets better. ' Useful lead-ins include 'The text states... ', 'According to the author... ', and 'For example, ... '. Keep quotations short, just the words that prove your point, and always follow the evidence with explanation. Evidence without explanation leaves the reader to do your thinking.

• 1Make a point, give evidence, then explain it.
• 2Use short quotations or precise paraphrases.
• 3Always explain how the evidence supports the point.