What is essential for determining agreement or disagreement with an author?

The process of determining agreement or disagreement with an author fundamentally relies on text evidence. This is because text evidence provides the specific examples, quotes, and references from the text that support or challenge the author's claims, arguments, or points of view. By analyzing this evidence, readers can critically assess the strength and validity of the author's assertions and make informed judgments about their own stance relative to the author's perspective.

In critical reading and thinking, simply identifying a logical conclusion—while important—does not provide the necessary foundation for agreement or disagreement without the backing of textual support. Readers must engage with the text itself to draw conclusions about the content, context, and intent behind the author's writing. Therefore, text evidence is essential as it underpins the reasoning and facilitates a deeper understanding of the material being evaluated.