First, here's a really simple definition of textual evidence:
Textual evidence is defined as verifiable proof used to back up a certain view or stance on an issue. In order to back up an assertion, literature or text is used, which is what makes it "textual evidence".
Types of textual evidence include:
- Paraphrasing
- Quotations
- Popular sayings and expressions
- Essays and scientific studies or reports
- Anecdotes written down
- Observations that have been recorded
How to write textual evidence
To write your own textual evidence you should:
- Choose a previous text to support your theory or idea
- Test the counter argument. If someone came to you with the same textual evidence, would you be won over or still in doubt?
- If there are "gaps" in your evidence, or if it doesn't explain your theory fully, then collate a number of textual evidence pieces so that you have all bases covered.
- Site your sources! This gives credibility, especially when the source is a distinguished thought leader in the field.
An example of textual evidence might be this:
A majority of people are commonly prone to believing that if anything bad CAN happen it will, regardless of individual efforts. Evidence of this is found in the widely quoted joke of "Murphy's Law" (also named Finagle's Law), which is a term used for quoting a large number of sayings that describe the phenomena "if bad things can happen, they will", and also in the now-popular saying, "Murphy is alive and well", to describe things that happen with a negative affect, regardless of good intentions or efforts.
An example of some commonly quoted "Murphy's Law" sayings follow, drawn from...(etc. Etc.)
I hope this helps you. Basically textual evidence requires a text reference, which provides the support for an argument via quotation, theory, or principle.
I hope this helps you. Basically textual evidence requires a text reference, which provides the support for an argument via quotation, theory, or principle.