Anecdotal EvidenceĪnecdotal evidence can be tricky since anecdotes are personal observations that may or may not be factual. Statistics and expert testimony are the most reliable ways to analyze textual evidence, but there are two other methods as well. Authors use testimonial information to make their argument in an attempt to sway their audience. They all have expertise backed by verifiable factual information. A pilot, with thousands of hours of flight time, can testify about the control panel on a jumbo jet. A doctor, with years of specialized training, can testify about treatment options for patients. An experienced and trained car mechanic can provide testimony on the workings of an engine. Testimony also means providing a set of facts based on expertise. Testimony doesn’t just mean in the legal sense, like when someone takes the stand in a court case. Testimonial EvidenceĮxperts give testimony in a number of areas. The next form of evidence isn’t as powerful as statistics, but it’s often used to examine textual evidence. That’s why statistics is such a powerful tool in textual evidence. You can go to the source and examine the data yourself. The answer? Those are all factual statements. Nearly half of American households own dogs. About 327 million people live in the United States.ģ. On average, Americans with a college degree earn more money than Americans who have only earned a high school diploma.Ģ. Data are the strongest available pieces of evidence because statistics use analysis to reach strong, accurate conclusions. Look for data that also includes the source information. Here are some clues to look for when analyzing textual evidence. You want to make sure the information is precise, descriptive, and factual. No, not the file format used in presentations. So, what should you look for when evaluating textual evidence? Think P-D-F. Textual evidence only uses facts to make its point. “Aliens are buried at Area 51 in Nevada” is a claim that can’t be verified. A claim is a statement that can be in dispute and requires further evidence. “Barack Obama was the 44th president of the United States” is a fact. Here’s an important issue: “evidence” is not the same as a “claim.” Evidence is a single fact or set of facts. You can take any debate position you want, but without facts to back up your argument, you can’t prove your point. Debates take a position and then use facts as supporting evidence. Think of textual evidence as the driving force behind debates. Textual evidence uses information from an originating source or other texts to support an argument. So, let’s start here: what is textual evidence? What is Textual Evidence? We’ll explain textual evidence and the best way to analyze it. That evidence can come in a number of different forms. Textual evidence comes into play when an author presents a position or thesis and uses evidence to support the claims. Please share your own experiences in teaching students about literary analysis.Welcome to this video about textual evidence! Textual evidence deals with facts in writing and the strategies used to figure out whether or not the information is factual. The self-reflection here would be a vital key for teachers to assess the writing process and a great opportunity to provide essential feedback to the student. Most importantly, students should seize the conclusion as an opportunity to provide their own opinion and reflection about their process of analyzing the text. Students can focus on concluding with what they hope to get out of their analysis, or provide closure to the topic. ConclusionĪ strong conclusion outlines the main ideas of the essay, but it also works to provide a solution to a real-life problem. When students consider the question, "Why is this point important?", it pushes them beyond mere description into ideas that are convincing, argumentative, and defend a position. Analytical writing, however, answers to the "why" question. Descriptive writing answers the "who," "what," "where," and "how" questions. It's important that the teacher helps them distinguish between descriptive writing and analytical writing. This critical stage is often a learning curve for many students. This conversation will also prepare them for honesty and ethics in the real or academic world. A conversation with the class about academic honesty is very important to help them understand intellectual property. At this stage, it's important to use the lesson as a reminder to cite and give credit for words and ideas that belong to others.
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