Here's a breakdown:
From the Text:
* Direct Quotes: Specific words, phrases, sentences, or even passages that directly support your argument.
* Character Actions and Dialogue: What characters do and say, and how this reveals their personalities, motivations, and the themes of the work.
* Imagery and Symbolism: Figurative language, recurring motifs, and symbolic objects that add deeper meaning to the text.
* Plot Structure: How the story unfolds, including the sequence of events, the climax, and the resolution.
* Setting: The time and place of the story, and how they influence the characters and events.
* Narrator: The voice telling the story, and how their perspective shapes the reader's understanding.
From Secondary Sources:
* Scholarly Articles: Critical essays, book chapters, and journals that offer in-depth analysis of the text.
* Biographical Information: The author's life and experiences, which can provide insights into their work.
* Historical Context: The time period in which the text was written, and how it reflects the social, political, and cultural issues of the day.
* Literary Criticism: Different schools of thought about literature, such as formalism, psychoanalysis, feminism, or Marxism.
How to Use Evidence Effectively:
* Relevance: Ensure the evidence directly supports your claim and is not just a random quote or observation.
* Specificity: Provide detailed, concrete evidence instead of making general statements.
* Analysis: Don't simply quote evidence; explain how it connects to your argument and what it reveals about the text.
* Balance: Use a variety of evidence sources, including both textual and secondary evidence.
Remember, strong evidence is essential for convincing readers of your analysis and building a compelling argument.