A Well-Supported Argument: Pairing Textual Evidence with Analysis

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 Analyze 
Use the basic features.
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As we have noted, an essay about a short story relies primarily on textual evidence—gleaned from a close reading of the story—to support the argument. We have also discussed how simply quoting, summarizing, or paraphrasing passages from the text is not enough; instead, effective writing about a literary work must use such evidence in support of an analysis: the writer’s original, thoughtful examination of the text. Earlier, we looked at Lee’s analysis of militaristic diction in “The Use of Force,” an analysis that drew on quotations from the story. Now let’s turn to Wright’s essay.

ANALYZE & WRITE

Write a paragraph or two about how well Wright uses textual evidence and analysis:

  1. Focus on quotations, highlighting the one in the title as well as those in paragraphs 2–5. Consider how—and how well—these quotations support Wright’s argument.
  2. What improvements might you suggest to the choice of quotations? For example, in paragraph 5, Wright refers to the “most involved metaphors” of the story but does not quote any of them. Which metaphors, if any, might she have quoted? Or is summarizing these parts of the story sufficient to support her analysis?
  3. What improvements might you suggest to Wright’s analysis of textual evidence? For example, in paragraph 2, Wright discusses how the parents of the sick child go out of their way to be polite and respectful to the doctor. However, read paragraph 3 of the story (p. 501), and consider in what ways this part of the story might complicate Wright’s analysis of the parents’ behavior.

    Question