Prove it: citing text evidence

Anyone can say something about a story. But can you prove it? Strong readers back up every claim with evidence from the text.

Let's try it. Maya waited backstage, gripping her violin so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She checked the exit twice. When her name was called, she took a slow breath and walked into the light.

Here's the question: how does Maya feel before she performs? First, restate it and answer. Before she performs, Maya feels nervous. That's my claim, an idea I now have to prove.

So where's the proof? Look closely. Gripping her violin so tightly that her knuckles turned white. That's my evidence.

But not all evidence is equal. Maya waited backstage is true, but it doesn't show she's nervous. Strong evidence points straight at your claim.

Next, don't just drop the quote in. Lead in with a signal phrase, like according to the text, or the author writes. The author writes that Maya is gripping her violin so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

Finally, explain how that evidence proves your claim. White knuckles show how tense she is. Her body reveals the fear she won't say out loud. Your explanation is the bridge between the quote and the claim.

So remember RACE. Restate the question, answer it with a claim, cite strong evidence, and explain how it proves your point. Now go prove it!