This document defines and provides examples of key vocabulary terms used when citing textual evidence: explicit, evidence, inference, cite, conclusion, analyze, and argument. Explicit means directly stated information, evidence means proof, and inference means a conclusion drawn from circumstances. Cite means to reference, conclusion means an opinion formed after consideration, analyze means to break down into parts, and argument means a dispute with strong disagreement.

1. Citing Textual Evidence
Vocabulary

2. EXPLICIT
• Definition: information
that is directly stated in
the text
• Example: being straight
forward, getting straight to the
point
• “The teacher gave explicit
directions on how to enter the
classroom.

3. EVIDENCE
• Definition: knowledge on
which to base belief
• Example: something that gives
proof; proving that you are
telling the truth
• “I will need to see some
evidence before I believe
what you are saying.”

4. INFERENCE
• Definition: drawing a
conclusion on the basis of
circumstantial evidence
• A conclusion or opinion that is
formed because of known facts
or evidence
• An educated guess
• The football player did not
appreciate the media’s
inference that he should
retire because of his old age.

5. CITE
• Definition: to make reference to
• To quote
• To refer to or mention as by way of
example or proof
• “His checking account was cited as
further evidence of self employment.”

6. CONCLUSION • Definition: a position or
opinion reached after
consideration
• “I'm going to jump to
the conclusion that this is
your first time playing Call of
Duty.”
• Example: you have made a
decision about something

7. ANALYZE
• Definition: break down into
components or essential
features
• to separate a thing or idea into
its parts in order to figure out
all the nature and
interrelationship of all the
parts or to consider and
evaluate a situation carefully.
• “We put the numbers in a
certain format that makes it
easier for them to analyze,” I
said, trying to sound like I
knew what I was talking
about.”

8. ARGUMENT
• Definition: a dispute where
there is strong disagreement
• A reason or reasons why you
are for or against something
• “My argument makes sense
because I provided evidence.”