Selecting Strong Evidence

​Selecting Strong Evidence

ELA 3/4 - The Crucible

Poll

How would you categorize a hot dog?

• As a sandwich

• As a taco

• It's just a hot dog

• As a secret fourth thing (please tell us)

cuberule.com

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Okay, back to talking about evidence.

Consider this...

What is Strong Evidence?

1. It needs to be relevant

The evidence should clearly relate to your claim. It needs to be about the same topic, the same element of the text, etc.

Multiple Choice

Which of these is the most RELEVANT to the claim "a hot dog is a taco"?

• A hot dog has a taco-like shape.

• Pizza is my favorite food.

• A burger is covered by bread on two sides.

• A sandwich could include the same ingredients as a taco.

What is Strong Evidence?

2. It needs to show, not tell

The evidence should show what you're discussing in your claim, not tell us outright. This gives you space to analyze the evidence.

Multiple Choice

Which of these SHOWS support for the claim "a hot dog is a taco"?

• A hot dog is taco-shaped.

• A hot dog is surrounded by bread on three sides

• A hot dog bun is the same shape as a taco shell.

• A hard shell would make a hot dog hard to eat.

What is Strong Evidence?

2. It needs to fit your argument

The evidence shouldn't need to be twisted or overly explained to support your argument.

Multiple Choice

Which of these FITS the argument "A hot dog is a taco" the best?

• A hot dog is a hand-held food in an oblong shape.

• A hot dog includes a variety of toppings, such as sauces.

• A hot dog is open on the top and the ends, and surrounded by bread on three sides.

• A hot dog is encased in a soft shell.

Use these three requirements to evaluate any potential evidence.

Make sure it does all three - and if you can't find ANY that do...

Evaluate it.

Don't use the first piece of evidence you find.

Look through the text for different potential pieces of evidence.

Look at options.

How do we pick strong evidence?

If you can't find ANY evidence, revisit your claim.

Sometimes the claim needs to be refined, or adjusted, or made more broad or more specific. If you cannot find ANY relevant, showing evidence that fits, look at the claim.

Multiple Choice

Which piece of evidence best supports the claim: "Parris doesn't want this to be witchcraft because he is worried about protecting his job in Salem"

• "We cannot leap to witchcraft! They will howl me out of Salem for such corruption in my house!" (Miller 13)

• "No, no, she never flew--" (Miller 12)

• "Then you were conjuring spirits last night!" (Miller 15)

• "Your Ruth is sick?" (Miller 12)

Open Ended

Why is "We cannot leap to witchcraft! They will howl me out of Salem for such corruption in my house!" (Miller 13) the best piece of evidence for the claim "Parris doesn't want this to be witchcraft because he is worried about protecting his job in Salem"?

Multiple Choice

Which piece of evidence best supports the claim "Despite still having feelings for Abigail, Proctor is trying to follow his moral code and cut off his relationship with her."

• "Abby, I never give you hope to wait for me" (Miller 21)

• "No, No, Abby, that's done with" (Miller 21)

• "I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I'll ever reach for you again" (Miller 22)

• "You'll speak nothin' of Elizabeth!" (Miller 22)

Open Ended

Why is "I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I'll ever reach for you again" (Miller 22) the best piece of evidence for the claim "Despite still having feelings for Abigail, Proctor is trying to follow his moral code and cut off his relationship with her" ?

Multiple Select

Which of these things need to be true of strong evidence? (Pick up to three)

• It must be relevant to the claim

• It needs to fit the elements of the argument

• It needs to show support for the claim, not just tell us it's true

• It needs to be about a hot dog