Identifying Evidence

​Identifying Relevant Evidence

Let's Review Claim First

Multiple Choice

Liam stood at the starting line, bouncing lightly on his toes. He had been training every morning before school for the last two months. As the announcer called his name, he clenched his fists and focused on the finish line.

What does this passage reveal about Liam?

• Liam prepared carefully for the race.

• Liam will race.

• He is careful.

• This passage reveals that Liam has prepared carefully for the race.

Multiple Choice

Sophie peeked around the curtain and saw rows of parents and classmates staring at the stage. Her palms were sweaty, but she didn’t back away. Instead, she took a deep breath, stepped into the spotlight, and began playing her violin.

How does Sophia feel about performing on stage?

• Nervous

• Sophia feels nervous about performing on stage.

• Sophia feels about performing on stage is nervous.

• Sophia will play the violin on stage.

Open Ended

Carlos carried the box of canned goods up the church steps, setting it gently with the others. He had skipped buying dessert for himself so he could afford the extra donation. As he turned to leave, he smiled, feeling lighter than when he arrived.

What character trait best describes Carlos?

What is Evidence?

Evidence: Specific details from the text that best supports the claim.

What does BEST evidence really mean?

There may be good pieces of evidence, but there is always only ONE BEST.

When looking for the best evidence to support your claim, think about what detail matches the claim statement the MOST. Ask yourself, which detail SHOWS the claim is true?

Let's Practice Identifying Evidence

Multiple Choice

Marisol tightened her grip on the paintbrush, her heart thudding as the judges stopped in front of her canvas. She had stayed up until midnight three nights in a row, adding details to every flower petal. Her hands trembled slightly, but her eyes stayed locked on the judges’ expressions. When one of them nodded with a small smile, she let out the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Claim: Marisol cares deeply about doing well in the art competition.

Which piece of evidence best supports the claim?

• “Marisol tightened her grip on the paintbrush.”

• “She had stayed up until midnight three nights in a row, adding details to every flower petal.”

• “Her eyes stayed locked on the judges’ expressions.”

• “One of them nodded with a small smile.”

Multiple Choice

Ethan’s sneakers were soaked, but he didn’t care. He darted between puddles, splashing more than avoiding, chasing the runaway soccer ball that had rolled halfway down the street. The rain pelted his face, but he kept running, his laughter mixing with the steady drumming of water on the pavement. When he finally caught the ball, he hugged it to his chest like a long-lost friend.

Claim: Ethan enjoys playing soccer even in bad weather.

Which evidence best supports the claim?

• “Ethan’s sneakers were soaked, but he didn’t care.”

• “He darted between puddles, splashing more than avoiding.”

• “The rain pelted his face, but he kept running.”

• “His laughter mixing with the steady drumming of water on the pavement.”

Multiple Choice

Naomi glanced at the clock—only five minutes left until the library closed. Her eyes darted across the shelves, scanning titles until she spotted the last copy of the mystery novel she had been waiting to read. She hurried over, nearly tripping on her own shoelaces, and slid the book off the shelf just in time.

Claim: Naomi was eager to read the mystery novel.

Which evidence best supports the claim?

• “Naomi glanced at the clock—only five minutes left until the library closed.”

• “She spotted the last copy of the mystery novel she had been waiting to read.”

• “She hurried over, nearly tripping on her own shoelaces.”

• “She slid the book off the shelf just in time.”

Writing Evidence

When writing your evidence in a written response, you must ALWAY introduce your quote.

EXAMPLES:

According to the text it says, "......

In the text it says, ".......

The texts reads, ".......

Open Ended

The sky was already dimming when Jordan laced up his running shoes. He could have stayed inside, where it was warm and dry, but instead, he stepped out into the drizzle. His breath came in sharp puffs as he jogged up the hill, determined to finish his three-mile route, rain or no rain.

Claim: Jordan is committed to keeping his running routine, even in bad weather.

What evidence best supports the claim?

Open Ended

Maya’s hands trembled as she placed the final card on the top of her house of cards. She had been working on it for nearly an hour, holding her breath every time the tower swayed. When it finally stood tall without collapsing, she grinned, snapping a quick photo before daring to move.

Claim: Maya is patient and careful when working on something important.

What evidence best supports the claim?

Open Ended

Diego pushed open the heavy glass door to the music store. He had saved every bit of birthday money and allowance for the past six months. Today, he finally had enough to buy the electric guitar he’d been dreaming about. As he carried it out of the store, he held it close, smiling the whole way home.

Claim: Diego worked hard and waited patiently to get something he really wanted.

What evidence best supports the claim?