Final answer:
Textual evidence is the words from a passage used to support a claim or analysis, often provided through quotes or paraphrasing. Effective textual evidence involves presenting the claim, supporting it with evidence, and then analyzing and explaining that evidence in your own words to provide a thorough and convincing interpretation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Textual evidence is the words in the passage used to show where an answer or analysis has been derived from. In crafting an argument or providing analysis on a text, it is crucial to support your claims with evidence directly taken from the source material. This may be in the form of direct quotations, which are someone's exact words taken from primary or secondary sources and used to substantiate an argument or observation.
To effectively convey a point or a thesis statement, one should incorporate three critical steps: presenting the claim, providing the evidence, and then analyzing, interpreting, and explaining the evidence in your own words. Authors might utilize literary elements such as metaphors, imagery, or certain speech mannerisms to create more nuanced characters or to emphasize themes. By citing these elements as evidence, and then explaining their relevance, readers are provided with a guided, thoughtful interpretation.
Choosing the most impactful evidence involves a close and critical reading of the text, examining claims, reasoning, supporting details, and literary features. This analysis allows for a deeper understanding of the text and forms the basis for a robust argument, enhancing the writing with credibility and persuasiveness. Therefore, the best answer to the question 'What is textual evidence?' would be B) The words in the passage you use to show where you got your answer.