Using evidence to support your points

In a nutshell

Supporting your point of view with evidence is a necessary step in writing as it backs up your claims and shows readers how you arrived at your point. Including evidence creates a more convincing perspective, and it reassures readers that you are a reliable writer. In this summary, you will learn how to find evidence in a text to support your point of view.

Using evidence

There are two ways you can insert evidence in your writing:

Direct quotation - These are the exact words taken from the source/text and used to support your point.
Indirect quotation -An idea is taken from the source/text and paraphrased or summarised when used to support your point.

Every piece of evidence must directly contribute to the points you make. In this way, you show readers that you are informed on the topic and your argument appears stronger.

Selecting evidence

Selecting the right evidence is key properly to demonstrate your ideas in your writing. Here are a couple of things to consider when selecting evidence:

Is your point relevant to the text you are discussing? Stating a point that is relevant to the text allows you to easily find evidence that directly contributes to the point you make.
Does the evidence strengthen your point? It's important to only select relevant information that relates to the point you are trying to make.
Can you develop your point further using the evidence you've picked? It's crucial your evidence is developed further after including it in your paragraph. The way to do this is by explaining the ways the evidence is emphasising your point.

Embedding evidence

At the GCSE level, you are required to embed evidence within your writing. Embedding is a skill that makes it easier for readers to understand how the evidence is connected to the point you are making in your paragraph.

Example

Evidence without embedding quotation: Pru thinks of Samantha as a superior figure and is intimidated by her presence. This is shown when the narrator states, 'She was afraid to look Samantha in the eye, as though she were a child being disciplined by a parent.'

Evidence with the embedded quotation: When Pru is 'afraid to look Samantha in the eye' and is compared to 'a child being disciplined by a parent,' it is evident that Pru thinks of Samantha as a superior figure and is intimidated by her presence.

Developing evidence

When developing your evidence, it is important to explain the ways it is emphasising your point. The point needs to be fleshed out through analysis. You should analyse any language techniques used in your chosen evidence and the effect this has on the reader. After stating these effects, you should lastly link the point back to the question.