The evidence is information drawn from source material that is used to support the thesis statement and is an essential part of writing effective argument/interpretation of a topic. Evidence can take three forms in academic writing projects: direct quotation, paraphrase, and summary.

<aside> <img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/20651af7-b9cc-4182-a182-bca14f2ee94b/1_120_transparent.png" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/20651af7-b9cc-4182-a182-bca14f2ee94b/1_120_transparent.png" width="40px" /> Contents

1 Varieties of Evidence

 1.1 [Direct Quotation](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.1.1 [Use Cases](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.1.2 [Integration Methods](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.1.2.1 [Enclosing Quotations with Quote Marks](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.1.2.2 [Introducing Quotations with Signal Phrases](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.1.2.3 [Shortening Quotations with Ellipses](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.1.2.4 [Altering or Adding to Quotations with Brackets](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.1.3 [Common Errors](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.1.3.1 [Overquoting](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.1.3.2 [Drop-In Quoting](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.1.3.1 [Quoting vs. Common Knowledge](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

 1.2 [Paraphrase](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.2.1 [Use Cases](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.2.2 [Integration Methods](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.2.2.1 [Signal Phrases](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.2.3 [Common Errors](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.2.3.1 [Mirroring Syntax](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.2.3.2 [Providing Synonyms](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.2.3.3 [Failing to Attribute Ideas](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

 1.3 [Summary](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.3.1 [Use Cases](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.3.2 [Integration Methods](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.3.2.1 [Signal Phrases](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.3.3 [Common Errors](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.3.3.1 [Including Argument in Summary](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.3.3.2 [Wording is Too General](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

1.4 [Personal Experience](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.4.1 [Use Cases](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.4.2 [Integration Methods](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.4.2.1 [Narrative Techniques](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.4.3 [Common Errors](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.4.3.1 [Overgeneralization](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.4.3.2 [Lack of Relevance](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.4.3.1 [Excessive Subjectivity](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.4.3.2 [Failure to Connect with the Audience](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

1.5 [Observation](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.5.1 [Use Cases](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.5.2 [Common Errors](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.5.2.1 [Overinterpretation](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.5.2.2 [Confirmation Bias](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.5.2.3 [Anecdotal Fallacy](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.5.2.4 [Lack of Contextual Analysis](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

1.6 [Testimony](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.6.1 [Use Cases](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.6.2 [Common Errors](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.6.2.1 [Misrepresentation](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

           1.6.2.2 [Out of Context](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

      1.6.2.3 [Overreliance on Authority](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

1.6.2.4 [Selective Testimony](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

1.7 Analogies

 1.7.1 [Use Cases](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

 1.7.2 [Integration Methods](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

 1.7.3 [Common Errors](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

     1.7.3.1 [False Equivalence](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

     1.7.3.2 [Over-Simplification](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

     1.7.3.3 [Distraction](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

     1.7.3.4 [Misinterpretation](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Evidence-b8b574e2d78148889bec7d733a144ac7>)

</aside>

Traducir esta página al [Español] | Traduzir esta página para [Português]

Varieties of Evidence

Direct Quotation

Direction quotations are a verbatim, or word-for-word, inclusion of an excerpt from source material that a writer uses to illustrate or support an essay’s arguments. For most academic writing assignments, direct quotation is the preferred method of source inclusion since it presents the source material in a direct, first-hand way that presents the author's own words as they appear in the original source text.

Traducir esta sección al [Español] | Traduzir esta seção para [Português]

Use Cases

Direct quotation is the best method of source inclusion for most assignments since it presents the source material with the highest degree of accuracy. Direct quotation can provide expert testimony, supply corroborating evidence, frame a historical context, or present a jumping-off point for further analysis and commentary. Quotations are the preferred method of source inclusion in the following use cases when the writer wants:

• To present information in the clearest and most direct way
• To discuss the language/ideas found in the quote with accuracy
• To showcase the source’s voice and style as a feature of the analysis

Traducir esta sección al [Español] | Traduzir esta seção para [Português]

Integration Methods

Enclosing Quotations in Quote Marks

A quotation must be enclosed in quote marks (“ “) to indicate where it begins and where it ends. Doing so signals to a reader of the paper the boundary between the author’s words and those of the source material. When writers include direction quotations, they must observe several basic conventions: 1) use quote marks around all material that has been integrated from source material, 2) put the ending punctuation within the quote marks, and 3) do not alter wording, punctuation, or spelling from the original.

Traducir esta sección al [Español] | Traduzir esta seção para [Português]

Personal Experience

Use Cases

Personal experience is utilized in argument essays when a writer includes anecdotes or reflections from their own life to support or illustrate an argument. This approach is effective in making an essay relatable and can add authenticity and depth to the writer's arguments. Personal experiences are particularly relevant in essays that benefit from a subjective perspective or when the topic is closely related to the writer's own life. The use of personal experience is most suitable in the following scenarios:

• When the essay topic is subjective or deeply personal.
• To provide a unique viewpoint or insight not available from other sources.
• To establish an emotional connection with the reader, adding a personal touch to the argument.
• In discussions about personal growth, life choices, or experiences that are universal or widely shared.

Traducir esta sección al [Español] | Traduzir esta seção para [Português]

Integration Methods

Narrative Techniques

When integrating personal experiences, writers can use narrative techniques such as storytelling, descriptive language, and a reflective tone. It's essential to ensure that these personal narratives are relevant to the main argument of the essay and contribute to the overall thesis. The integration can be done by:

• Introducing the personal experience with a context that connects it to the main argument.
• Reflecting on the experience, drawing lessons or insights that support the essay's thesis.
• Balancing the personal narrative with academic or factual information to maintain the essay's credibility.

Traducir esta sección al [Español] | Traduzir esta seção para [Português]