Announcement: Mini Lesson : Evidence - ELACC7R1/I1 Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis

Shenica Mathieu
2014-02-04T10:08:30-07:00

Today we will be reviewing how to search for evidence in a text. We will use Study Island as our guide.

Study Island Lesson

Textual Evidence
Using textual evidence means that the reader must use what he or she read to prove, or back up, an answer to a question about the text.

How do you know the answer?

This question is an important part of using textual evidence. For example, your class reads a passage together. Your teacher asks you a question about the passage, and you give your answer. Then, your teacher asks you, "How do you know that your answer is correct?" Your teacher is asking you to support your answer with information from the text. This support is known as textual evidence. In these situations, you could respond in a number of ways:

In paragraph 3, the passage said…

The author wrote…

The picture showed…

The main character said…

Example:

After Regina reads the following paragraph, her teacher asks, "How do you know that visiting Granny Bea is not an easy task?"

Granny Bea's apartment was on the ninth floor. The elevator rarely worked. As a result, my family would have to climb multiple flights of stairs when we visited. We would often have a difficult time breathing by the time we reached her door. Usually, we brought with us bags of groceries for my grandmother. Today was no exception.

Regina responds by saying, "The narrator's family had to go up many flights of stairs when visiting Granny Bea. This caused them to be out of breath by the time they arrived to the apartment." In this case, Regina is using textual evidence to back up her answer.

Supporting Sentences

Supporting sentences support the main idea of the paragraph. Supporting sentences should contain relevant details that develop and explain the main idea.

example:

Mexico: The Old and New

(1) Mexico offers visitors a world of contrasts. (2) Its pyramids and ancient ruins are part of ancient history, while its modern cities provide us with the best of today's technology. (3) Its mountains offer cool weather and rocky peaks, while only a few miles away, its beaches tempt us with warm sun and white sand. (4) Its fancy restaurants serve the most sophisticated continental cuisine, while sidewalk vendors sell the simplest of native foods.

Sentence 1 states the main idea of the paragraph.

The main idea is that Mexico has many examples of contrasts (differences).

Sentences 2 through 4 are supporting sentences.

The ancient pyramids and the modern cities are an example of contrast.

The cool mountains are in contrast to the warm beaches.

The fancy restaurants stand in contrast to the simple food sold by vendors.

Now it is Your Turn. . .

After you have finished viewing the mini lesson click on this activity ELACC7RL1 Practice Questions - 1 with answer key .pdf for your assignment. You will need to get at least 4 correct answers to master the standards. You may post your answers in the discussion board to the left.

Extension Activities: If you finish the above assignment early. Focus on inferences with the same standard by clicking here Study_Island (2) - RL1 - inferences.pdf check your answers here Answers for Inferences RL1.pdf