Which practice best supports using textual evidence to answer a question in a discussion?

• A. Rely on personal interpretation without citing lines.
• B. Cite one vague phrase and claim it supports your claim.
• C. Quote entire paragraphs to illustrate every point.
• D. Quote precise lines and explain how they support your answer.

Answer: (D)

Using textual evidence means grounding your answer in what the author actually wrote. The best practice is to quote precise lines and explain exactly how those words support your answer. This shows you can justify your claim with concrete, verifiable evidence and helps others see the exact link between the text and your conclusion. When you select a specific line and walk through why it matters—how it reveals a character’s motivation, a theme, or a key detail—you demonstrate careful reading and clear, logical reasoning.

Relying on personal interpretation without citing lines leaves your claim unanchored in the text, and a single vague phrase doesn’t provide a solid, defensible connection to what you’re arguing. Quoting entire paragraphs can bury the specific point you’re making and include material that isn’t directly relevant, making your argument harder to follow.

Practice by choosing a short, relevant quote and then explaining what it shows and why it matters to your answer. For example, in a question about a character’s motivation, a precise line that reveals that motive plus a clear explanation of how it supports your conclusion makes the reasoning strong and accessible.