Which statement best describes textual evidence in academic writing?

• A. Personal experience alone.
• B. Unrelated sources.
• C. Opinions with no text references.
• D. Specific quotes or data from the text used to support a claim.

Answer: (D)

Textual evidence in academic writing means using specific quotes or data from the text to support a claim. This kind of evidence shows exactly where your argument comes from and lets readers verify your interpretation by going back to the source. It strengthens your writing by tying your conclusions directly to the material you studied, and it also gives you material to analyze—not just restate opinions.

Personal experience alone can’t reliably establish a claim in scholarly work because it isn’t verifiable by others. Quotes, data, or precise findings from the text provide concrete support, while opinions without text references remain unsubstantiated. If you bring in outside sources, they should be used to illuminate the text but still connect back to the text you’re analyzing.