Evidence and Support
Find textual evidence that supports conclusions and claims.
Learn
Types of Evidence
- Direct quotes: Exact words from the text
- Paraphrase: Restating ideas in your own words
- Statistics/data: Numbers and facts that support claims
- Examples: Specific instances that illustrate points
- Expert opinions: Statements from qualified sources
Practice
Question 1: Why is evidence important in a text?
Answer
Evidence supports claims, makes arguments convincing, and allows readers to verify information.
Question 2: A passage claims "exercise improves mood." What would be strong evidence for this?
Answer
A scientific study showing people who exercise report better moods, or statistics about exercise and mental health.
Question 3: What is the difference between a direct quote and a paraphrase?
Answer
A direct quote uses exact words from the text in quotation marks. A paraphrase restates the idea in your own words.
Question 4: "According to the text, which line best supports the idea that the character is nervous?"
Answer
Look for specific quotes showing nervous behavior: trembling hands, avoiding eye contact, stuttering speech, etc.
Question 5: Why might an author include statistics in an argument?
Answer
Statistics provide objective, measurable support that appears factual and is hard to dispute.
Question 6: What makes evidence "relevant"?
Answer
Relevant evidence directly connects to and supports the specific claim being made.
Question 7: An essay claims reading improves vocabulary. Which is better evidence? A) "I like reading." B) "Students who read 30 minutes daily learned 1,000 more words per year."
Answer
B is better - it provides specific, measurable data directly supporting the claim.
Question 8: How do you identify the strongest evidence in a passage?
Answer
Look for evidence that directly addresses the claim, is specific rather than vague, and comes from reliable sources.
Question 9: What is an "expert opinion" and when is it useful evidence?
Answer
A statement from someone with specialized knowledge. Useful when the topic requires expertise to understand properly.
Question 10: On the SAT/ACT, you're asked "which lines provide evidence for the previous answer." What should you do?
Answer
Find the lines that directly support your previous answer with specific textual evidence, not just related information.