Proving your point in an essay is the heart of essay writing. There is no thesis without a point proven, there is no argument without a point proven, and ultimately, there is no essay without a point proven. Like writing an essay, there is a simple formula to proving a point in an essay. If you know how to write a general essay and have followed our guides, this page may sound like a repeated lesson. However, we cannot stress enough the importance of following the structure.

The evidentiary component of an essay is how you prove a point. Without evidence, you will have absolutely no ability to prove a point. Empty words alone, no matter how rhetorical and persuasive they are, will not prove a point. You must research, find data from primary and secondary sources, quotations, and statistics. Your evidence can come in the form of a quotation from a book, article, speech, or interview. Or it can come in the form of paraphrasing (using your own words to restate a fact). Either way, you must cite the evidence at the end of your essay.

Since evidence is vital to proving your point, you may find it in various formats. They include the following:

• Books
• Magazine Articles
• Speeches
• Interviews
• Websites
• Photographs
• Public Data and Records
• Charts
• Surveys and Polls

This evidence can come from personal research of other printed and published data. Or, it can come from personal investigation through interview and survey. Either method will bring you accurate evidence to support your point. Remember, if you have no evidence to back up your point, you have absolutely no point. You can try to prove the most ridiculous idea in the world. However, if you find the evidence and material to support it, you will have found success.