Supporting with Text Evidence

Choose the correct definition for evidence.

• To give additional information by adding details and expand on ideas

• To give credit to a source documenting where something came from

• Text information supporting or proving a claim or reason

• To give credit to a source documenting where something came from

To give cred to a source documenting _____ something came from

Sometimes we have to “read between the lines.” Authors don’t always tell us everything. We need to use textual evidence and prior knowledge to understand the text better. 

• True

• False

When reading literature, it is important to cite text evidence to support your analysis of the most important details and events of a story. In addition to citing text evidence to answer comprehension questions, you can also use text evidence to make inferences.

• True

• False

What are you looking for when a question asks you to provide textual evidence?

• a piece of writing like an article, poem, or story

• proof

• clues (proof) within the text 

They weren’t on the hook by the phone and they weren’t in her purse. Alison checked the pockets of the jacket she’d worn the day before, but they weren’t there either. She looked at her watch and realized she would be late for work if she didn’t leave soon.
What text-based evidence supports your answer?

• They weren’t on the hook by the phone and they weren’t in her purse.

• Alison checked the pockets of the jacket she’d worn the day before, but they weren’t there either.

• She looked at her watch and realized she would be late for work if she didn’t leave soon.

As the teacher lectured the class about how important it was to pay attention, Brian found himself staring out the window again. Suddenly, a little boy came up to the window and peeked in. The boy blew a bubble with his gum and it exploded all over his face and the window. Brian began laughing so hard he fell out of his seat. The rest of the class silently stared at him as the teacher walked to his desk.
What text-based evidence supports your inference?

• As the teacher lectured the class about how important it was to pay attention,

• Suddenly, a little boy came up to the window and peeked in.

• The boy blew a bubble with his gum and it exploded all over his face and the window.

• Brian began laughing so hard he fell out of his seat. 

Michael woke up with a start. Someone was banging at the front door. Heavy footsteps clomped over the bare boards of the hallway. A shouting of voices. Jacko's familiar growl, then the front door slammed shut. Michael shivered and pulled the thin blanket closer around his shoulders. Through the cracked glass of the curtainless window, the sky looked gray and dirty. A groan from the other mattress told him that Toby was awake as well. What can you infer about the place they are living?

• brand new

• happy and clean

• dull and uncared for

• bright and colorful

The girl walked down the street with her head hanging down; She had just lost her first soccer game. What detail from the text can tell you how the girl was feeling?

• She lost her first game.

• Her head was hanging down.

• She walked down the street.

Which of the following best describes the purpose of using text evidence in an essay?

• To summarize the text

• To support a claim or argument

• To entertain the reader

• To confuse the reader