C O N TEX T, Q U O TE, C O M M EN T!

(C Q C )
H O W TO U S E EV ID EN C E IN YO U R W R ITIN G

First, you need a thesis

statement:
Your thesis statement must clearly reflect something that
you are going to prove.
For example, say this was my assignment:
After you read Tim Cooks Speech at Steve Jobs Memorial,
determine Cooks purpose. Write and essay that summarizes
and analyzes how he uses rhetoric to advance his purpose. Be
sure to cite strong and thorough evidence from the text to
support your analysis. Follow the conventions of standard
written English. Write your essay in the space provided in the
next pages

My thesis could look something like: In his speech, Tim Cook

uses rhetoric, such as parallel structure and repetition, puns,
idioms, metaphors, and personification to appeal to our
pathos and help the reader envision how Steve Jobs
accomplishments, words,and ideas left a legacy for business
and life that we should all follow.
This is what I will
prove

Ive got my thesis, now

what?
Prove what your thesis statement
says!
How?
CONTEXT make your point
QUOTEprovide evidence that supports

the point you just made

COMMENT explain how the evidence
you just offered proves your claim.
Answer the question: so what?

Context m ake a statem ent!

Although we often think that the quotes or
examples we choose to back up our thoughts
speak for themselves, they usually dont. We
know what we are thinking, but the reader
doesnt.
Your job is to provide the reader with context, a
frame of reference, for the evidence (quote) you
are going to provide. This should indicate who is
involved in the quote, why this happened, what is
going on in general, when this is all happening (in
terms of the text), and/or where this is all taking
place.

Q uote
To clarify: a quote is any word or words you
take from a piece of writing. It does NOT have to
be dialogue.
Dialogue The characters are speaking:
"The old charts call it `Ship-Trap Island,"' Whitney replied." A suggestive name,
isn't it? Sailors have a curious dread of the place. I don't know why. Some
superstition--

Narration The narrator is speaking:

Desperately he struck out with strong strokes after the receding lights of the yacht,
but he stopped before he had swum fifty feet. A certain coolheadedness had come to
him; it was not the first time he had been in a tight place.

Either of these is a Quote

Q uote (continued)
When choosing a proper quote to
support your topic sentence (and this is
ALL about supporting the thesis), it is
important to choose wisely.
A. Choose quotes that expand upon your
main point (the thesis) and allow for
elaboration or analysis (in other words,
pick quotes about which you have
something to say.)
B. Avoid quotes that simply repeat
what has already been said.

Com m ent (TH E AN ALYSIS)

This is the most important part of the paragraph because it

is where your ideas come into play.

This is where you explain to the reader why you think the
quote you have chosen supports your pointthus, proving
it!
A. The comment portion must clearly explain the connections

that you see. Remember that the reader may not see this
connectionyour job is to make it as clear as possible!
B. During the comment portion, be sure NOT to simply re-state
what the quote says. Also AVOID phrases like "this quote
shows, this proves that, etc.
C. Give your reader the SO WHAT? What is the point of the
quote? You need to make this clear to the reader.

Exam ple -BAD

Thesis

ot
Qu e

In his speech, Cooks uses rhetoric, such as

parallel structure and repetition, puns,
idioms, metaphors, and personification to
appeal to our pathos and help the reader
envision how Steve Jobs accomplishments, e
t
Con
words, and, and ideas left a legacy for
xt
business and life that we should all follow.
Tim Cook uses a lot of idioms in his speech.
He said, Steve never followed the herd.
This is an idiom about Steve.Note how this comment
Commen
t

only repeats what you

already said. It does
not actually explain or
analyze anything.

Exam ple -G O O D :

Thesis

In his speech, Cooks uses parallel structure and

repetition, puns, idioms, metaphors, and
personification to appeal to our pathos and help the
reader envision how Steve Jobs accomplishments,
te
words, and, and ideas left a legacy for business and Conxt
life that we should all follow. Later in this speech,
Cook uses an idiom to highlight Steves personality.
He says, Steve never followed the herd. This
expression provides a sentiment for a person who is
Qu
not like a typical animal that follows what the crowd
o
e t
of others are doing. By using this idiom, Cook
shows that there was no one else quite like Steve
Jobs.
This example
Commen
t

actually does explain

how the use of
idioms advance
Cooks purpose.
Youve shown the