textual

Everyday

1. Textual means to do with a text, the actual written words of a book, poem or document. tree →
2. Textual evidence is words or lines taken from a text to support what you say about it. tree →

In the lessons

In English and reading lessons, pupils are asked to give «textual evidence»: quote words from the story to prove a point («How do you know she is nervous? Find evidence in the text»). In history and Bible study, «textual» describes studying the exact words of old writings. Phrases: «textual evidence», «textual analysis», «textual details».

Examples

• Use textual evidence to show how the character feels. tree →
• The teacher wanted a quote as textual evidence. tree →
• Textual clues tell us the story is set in winter. tree →
• Scholars compare old copies of the Bible for textual differences. tree →
• Our textual analysis looked at the poet's word choices. tree →
• There were small textual changes in the new edition. tree →

Note

A school and formal word. Related: «text», «context». Not the same as «textured» (about how a surface feels).

In Jewish tradition

In English and reading lessons, pupils are asked to give «textual evidence»: quote words from the story to prove a point («How do you know she is nervous? Find evidence in the text»). In history and Bible study, «textual» describes studying the exact words of old writings. Phrases: «textual evidence», «textual analysis», «textual details».

Examples

• Meroz has associated these ‘three books’ with what she regards to be the three original textual layers of the SY, woven together after their composition into a single work by an editor. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →

Note

A school and formal word. Related: «text», «context». Not the same as «textured» (about how a surface feels).