Question 159·Easy·Command of Evidence
In a literary analysis paper, a student argues that Jane Austen’s vivid depictions of ballroom scenes in her novels were informed by her own experiences attending neighborhood dances during her adolescence.
Which quotation from a literary historian would provide the strongest evidence for the student’s argument?
For “Which quotation best supports the claim?” questions, first underline the core claim (who/what, and what is being asserted). Translate it into a simple evidence need, like “I need proof that Austen attended dances as a teen.” Then scan the choices quickly for one that directly states that needed fact, not just something vaguely related to the same author or work. Eliminate options that are about different topics (themes, style, editing, letters) even if they sound sophisticated, and choose the one that most clearly and specifically matches the claim.
Hints
Clarify what the student is claiming
Ask yourself: What specific biographical fact about Austen would make it believable that her ballroom scenes came from her own life?
Look for key ideas in the answer choices
Scan for words or phrases related to dances, balls, assemblies, partners, or sets, especially connected to Austen’s youth or adolescence.
Ignore interesting but irrelevant details
Some choices mention her writing style, themes, or revision process. Ask: Do they actually say anything about her personally attending dances when she was young?
Step-by-step Explanation
Restate the student’s claim
First, put the student’s argument into your own words. The student is saying that:
- Austen’s detailed ballroom scenes
- come from her own experience
- attending local neighborhood dances
- during her adolescence (when she was a girl/teenager).
So we need evidence that connects Austen’s real-life teen dance experiences to what she later wrote.
Decide what strong evidence would look like
The strongest evidence would be a statement that Austen actually went to dances when she was young and took part in them (for example, attending assemblies, watching sets, dancing with partners).
Details about her writing style, themes, or editing process do not prove she had real-life ballroom experience.
Evaluate each option against the claim
Now compare each quotation to the claim:
- One option discusses her satire in early writing.
- One discusses topics found in her letters.
- One describes her revision process for Pride and Prejudice.
- One describes her as a teenager attending assemblies and dancing.
Only the last type of quotation provides direct factual support that she attended and participated in dances during adolescence.
Choose the quotation that directly supports the claim
The quotation that most strongly supports the student’s argument is:
“As a teenager in rural Hampshire, Austen often attended weekly town-hall assemblies, where she watched the dances closely and partnered in several of them herself.”
This directly supports the idea that her vivid ballroom scenes could be informed by her own experiences at neighborhood dances.