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Evidence and Citation

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you stay on the analysis side of the summary line, and use sources without copying their wording?

Avoiding summary and plagiarism: recognizing the line between summarizing a source and analyzing it, the over-copying that the Part 2 directions warn against, and using your own words to present evidence so the response argues rather than retells.
How to avoid summary and over-copying on the Regents: the line between summarizing a source and analyzing it, why the directions warn against simply summarizing the texts, and using your own words to present evidence so the response argues rather than retells.
8 min answer →

How do you cite the Part 2 sources correctly by text number, and why does the citation itself affect your score?

Citing sources by text number: attributing every piece of evidence in the Part 2 argument to its source by text number (and line where helpful), why citation is a scored expectation, and how to cite smoothly without breaking the sentence.
How to cite the Regents Part 2 sources by text number: attributing every piece of evidence to its source (and line where helpful), why citation is a scored expectation under Command of Evidence, and how to cite smoothly without breaking the sentence.
8 min answer →

How do you embed a quotation smoothly into your own sentence, and follow it with the explanation that turns it into analysis?

Embedding and quoting evidence: integrating a short quotation into the grammar of your own sentence rather than dropping it in, choosing the smallest quotation that carries the point, and following every quotation with the explanation that links it to the claim or central idea.
How to embed and quote evidence on the Regents: integrating a short quotation into your own sentence rather than dropping it in, quoting the smallest phrase that carries the point, and always following a quotation with the explanation that links it to the claim or central idea.
8 min answer →

How do you select textual evidence that is specific and relevant, and reject evidence that is merely true or on-topic?

Selecting relevant textual evidence: choosing the smallest specific detail or quotation that proves the exact point, distinguishing relevant evidence from merely true or broadly on-topic detail, across Part 1 evidence questions and both written responses.
How to select textual evidence on the Regents: choosing the smallest specific detail that proves the exact point, and distinguishing relevant evidence from detail that is merely true or broadly on-topic. The Command of Evidence criterion rewards specific, relevant evidence in both written responses.
9 min answer →