Final answer:
To answer with textual evidence, perform a close reading, present authoritative quotes or paraphrases, and analyze their relevance to your thesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer a question with textual evidence, you must first do a close reading of the text to understand how literary elements contribute to the overall work.
Secondly, present evidence in your response by quoting or paraphrasing from the text or other authoritative sources. It's imperative to choose evidence that strongly supports your reasoning. Finally, include an analysis of how the evidence you have chosen reinforces your thesis or main idea.
For instance, if you're evaluating a character's development in a novel, you might include a direct quotation that showcases a critical moment in that character's journey.
Then, you'll need to articulate how this quote supports your thesis. An example could be, 'When Jane decides to leave Thornfield, she declares, "I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will."
This pivotal moment underscores Jane's emancipation from societal expectations and her determination to define her own identity.' After presenting the evidence, analyze its relevance to your argument, thus helping the reader understand its significance.