Which statement best describes the purpose of citing evidence in an argument?

• A. To present unrelated opinions
• B. To summarize the author’s life story
• C. To restate the thesis without support
• D. To support a claim by quoting or paraphrasing text and linking to analysis

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is that a strong argument proves its claim with clear, text-based support and shows how that support backs up the point being made. When you cite evidence, you pull quotes or paraphrase from a source and then connect that evidence to your analysis, explaining how it proves or illuminates your claim. This doesn’t just present facts; it shows the reader why those facts matter and how they reinforce your conclusion.

For example, if you claim that a character’s actions reveal their underlying fear, you would quote or paraphrase a moment that shows that fear and then explain how that moment explains the behavior, tying the evidence directly to your claim. Citing evidence also adds credibility because it shows you’ve engaged with the source material and allows others to check the connection between what’s stated and what you’re arguing.

Other options don’t fit because they don’t rely on text-based support linked to analysis: presenting unrelated opinions doesn’t build a case with sources; summarizing the author’s life story misses the point of supporting a specific claim with evidence; and restating the thesis without any backing fails to justify the claim.