Books, journals, websites, newspapers, magazines, and documentary films are some of the most common sources of evidence for academic writing. Our handout on evaluating print sources will help you choose your print sources wisely, and the library has a tutorial on evaluating both print sources and websites.

Here are some of the most common types of evidence writers use to support their points: Numbers (for example, date and time, or any specific number or measurement: Length of a boat, number of witnesses, votes for a certain bill, score of a game, etc.) Statistics.

1. You may incorporate textual evidence right into the sentence with the use of quotation marks, but your quote from the text must make sense in the context of the sentence. For example: April is so wildly confused that she actually “…hated Caroline because it was all her fault” (page 118).

Strong evidence must meet several criteria….It should be:

1. Relevant to the topic of your paper.
2. In support of the argument you’re advancing.
3. From a credible source.
4. Verified by multiple sources.
5. Current (in most cases).
6. Specific, not general.

Textual evidence is evidence, gathered from the original source or other texts, that supports an argument or thesis. Such evidence can be found in the form of a quotation, paraphrased material, and descriptions of the text.

It is presented to persuade readers, and used with powerful arguments in the texts or essays. It is factual information that helps the reader reach a conclusion and form an opinion about something. Evidence is given in research work, or is quoted in essays and thesis statements, but is paraphrased by the writer.

Evidence statements describe the knowledge and skills that an assessment item/task elicits from students. These are derived directly from the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (the standards), and they highlight the advances of the standards, especially around their focused coherent nature.

Supporting evidence proves a claim to be true. Supporting evidence can be a summary, paraphrased or a direct quote. It’s really where you prove your point to be true, it’s that evidence that supports it.

Specific evidence is detailed. It includes the following: Specific facts. Stories of certain times, places, events, moments, people.

Story. This is something from your personal experience. It may not readily prove your contentions, but it brings them to life. Handled well – which is to say, with authenticity – it can be the most powerful form of evidence.