RUAE Skills: Selecting and Using Textual Evidence (SQA National 5 English): Revision Note

Being able to select precise, well-chosen evidence is one of the most important skills in any reading assessment. Strong evidence shows examiners not only that you have located the correct part of the passage, but that you understand how it supports your point. 

Evidence should always be purposeful: you should know why you are choosing a particular word, phrase, or idea, and how it helps answer the question.

How do you identify the right evidence?

When selecting evidence, your goal is to show a direct connection between the question and the detail you choose. This means reading actively and knowing exactly what the task requires. Evidence should never be copied blindly; it must be relevant and focused.

A step-by-step approach to selecting evidence

1. Read the question first
   Identify the key words. These tell you exactly what you need to look for.
   

2. Locate the relevant part of the passage
   Scan and annotate quickly. Highlight sentences or clusters of words that relate to the question’s focus.
   

3. Select only what is essential
   Short quotes are usually more effective. Choose the word or phrase that best captures the idea or effect.
   

4. Avoid over-quoting
   Quoting large chunks of text can make your answer unfocused — try to be as precise as possible when selecting evidence.

Useful self-check when selecting evidence

Strong responses show confidence in choosing evidence that is both accurate and purposeful.

Key principles for selecting evidence

• Be precise: choose the exact word or phrase that illustrates the point

• Be selective: avoid including unnecessary descriptive detail

• Be economical: you do not need to copy whole sentences; concise references often demonstrate deeper understanding

• Be consistent: avoid relying on the same evidence across multiple questions

Using your evidence

Selecting evidence is only half the task — you must also use it effectively. This means integrating the detail into your explanation so it supports your point clearly and convincingly.

How to use evidence confidently

1. Introduce it purposefully
   Avoid dropping in a quotation with no explanation. Connect it to your point:

   • “The writer suggests…”

   • “This shows that…”

   • “This phrase highlights…”

2. Explain its relevance
   What idea or effect does the evidence reveal? How does it support your argument?
   

3. Keep explanations focused
   Strong answers avoid drifting away from the evidence. Tie each sentence back to the question’s wording.

Quick formula for using evidence

Evidence → Explanation → Link back to the question

This structure ensures that every piece of evidence actively earns marks in an English exam.

Using evidence to form a summary

Summaries test your ability to identify the main ideas, not the supporting detail. Evidence is useful at the selection stage, but your written summary should be entirely in your own words.

Effective summary technique

• Identify key points: skim the passage and note the essential ideas

• Strip away examples and imagery: these support meaning but rarely help form the summary itself

• Combine related ideas: avoid listing; instead produce a joined-up overview

• Write concisely: aim for clarity and accuracy without unnecessary words

Step-by-step guide to writing a summary

Learn more

Discover more SQA National 5 English RUAE exam tips in our expert revision notes: 

• RUAE Skills: Analysing Language and Techniques

• RUAE Skills: Evaluation

• How to Get Full Marks on the RUAE Questions