What is the purpose of citing textual evidence in a literary analysis essay?

It is important to write down some evidences in an essay to show credibility. That whatever you write including the facts are from validated sources. This gives the readers the idea to trust your write-up and make reference from it in the future if they need to. This gives you write up face validity and sound literary. It gives and objective vibe since this essay requires analysis that needs critical thinking, and that though there are emotions included, it is guarded with facts. 

Ithink the answer is c