Question

Angie is writing a literary analysis and has provided textual evidence in the form of quotations and paraphrased text from the play in her essay. What is the purpose of using textual evidence in an analysis essay?

Answer 1

Of course, there is a great deal involved in using textual evidence, but this short list will serve our present purpose. The key point to remember is that your use of other texts is not limited to quoting from authors with whom you agree (though this will be the most common use). You can use other texts  • as sources of evidence • as objects of analysis • as sources of data or information • as authorities to support your claims • as representatives of opposing points of view
There are three main ways to use evidence or examples from a text to illustrate your own points in an essay.  They are: 1. Making a reference to the author or the text 2. Paraphrasing/summarizing the author by telling about the ideas or story in your own words 3. Directly quoting from the text