Using evidence

Evidence is where essays win or lose most of their marks. This topic is about using it well. It starts with integrating quotes: introducing them, keeping them short, and weaving them into your own sentence so they don't sit alone as a floating line. Next is the most important skill here, analysis instead of summary. After a quote, the question to answer is how it proves your point, not what it says. Zoom in on a word or image and explain its effect; retelling the plot earns very little. The final page covers conclusions. A good conclusion does more than repeat the thesis in different words. It shows why the argument matters or what it reveals beyond the text itself. As a check, count your sentences. In a strong body paragraph, analysis sentences should outnumber quote and summary sentences. If they don't, add another line explaining what your evidence shows before moving on to the next paragraph.