2.2 Building an argument with relevant and strategic evidence

What is Relevant and Strategic Evidence?

• Quotations from the text that demonstrate the author's intended meaning and support the thesis statement.
• Analysis of literary devices, such as imagery and symbolism, that reveal the author's purpose and meaning.
• Paraphrasing of key ideas and themes in the text that support the thesis statement and argument.
• Historical, cultural or other context that illuminates the meaning of the text and the author's intent.

How can I Build an Argument with Relevant and Strategic Evidence?

1. Understand the text: Before you can begin to build your argument, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the text you are analyzing. Read the text carefully and take notes on key ideas and themes.
2. Identify the main idea: Look for the main idea or message that the author is trying to convey. Consider the purpose of the text and the intended audience.
3. Develop a thesis statement: Based on your understanding of the text, come up with a thesis statement that expresses your main idea. Make sure that it is a statement and not a question or a fact.
4. Select relevant and strategic evidence: Once you have a clear thesis statement, select evidence from the text that is directly related to the thesis statement and supports the argument being made. Be selective, and choose evidence that is the most relevant and strongest to your argument. Use evidence in a deliberate and thoughtful way to strengthen the argument and persuade the reader.
5. Integrate and analyze the evidence: Use the selected evidence to support and develop your argument. Integrate the evidence into your essay by showing how it supports your thesis statement and argument. Provide a clear and concise analysis of the evidence, and explain how it supports your argument.
6. Use a variety of evidence: Using a variety of evidence will make your argument stronger. Use a combination of quotations, paraphrasing, analysis of literary devices and historical, cultural or other context to provide a well-rounded argument.
7. Be consistent: Use the evidence consistently throughout the essay, and make sure that it supports the thesis statement.
8. Be mindful of the rhetorical situation: Be aware of the intended audience and purpose of the text, and use evidence that is most persuasive to them. (Read more about identifying the purpose and intended audience of a text in the Topic 1.1 study guide.)