Textual evidence

Textual evidence is a specific phrase, sentence or detail from the passage that supports a claim about the passage.

A simple test

For any claim, ask: "Which line shows that?" If you cannot point at a line, you are guessing.

Example

Passage: "Mara hesitated at the door. Then, with a long breath, she stepped inside."

Claim: "Mara was nervous." ✅ Evidence: "hesitated at the door" and "with a long breath".

Claim: "Mara was angry." ❌ Evidence: there is no anger language; this is unsupported.