Finding Text Evidence

Have you ever written an essay about a story, only to realize that you are not sure how to support claims being made about the text? A claim or argument about any idea in the text should have supporting evidence. Evidence is essential to an author creating a strong argument or claim. All texts, or reading passages, contain evidence. There are many types of evidence, too. Evidence can be found in both fiction texts--such as novels, poems, or short stories--as well as in non-fiction texts like biographies or scientific articles.

Why is evidence important?

• Evidence is essential because it summarizes the text

• Evidence is essential to an author creating a strong argument or claim

• Evidence is essential because it helps a reader understand the plot

• Evidence is essential because it is the main idea

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An important strategy in finding evidence in a reading passage is understanding what makes the evidence 'strong.' Supporting evidence is strong when it clearly connects to the question and the answer. When reading a passage and selecting specific evidence, ask yourself 'How does this quotation support the question and answer?' The same piece of evidence may also be used to support other claims as well. Text is rich, so it is important to read closely and analyze both the question and the answer carefully before concluding that the evidence is supportive and strong.

What Makes Strong Evidence?

• Supporting evidence is strong when it is more than one sentence

• Supporting evidence is strong when it provides an answer

• Supporting evidence is strong when it is rich

• Supporting evidence is strong when it clearly connects to the question and the answer

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What is the fifth step in finding evidence in a text?

• Note inferences and quotations from the passage that support the answer or claim

• Cite the evidence by including quotations of the excerpted text or by transitional phrases

• Summarize the text

• Note inferences and quotations from the passage that support the answer or claim

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Quotations and paraphrases are examples of _____, or examples from a text that support main and sub points in an essay.

• outlines

• evidence

• thesis statements

• themes

Why is evidence important?

• to support the author's claim or idea

• to encourage faster reading

• to make the reader feel comfortable

• to make essay writing easier

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What does finding evidence in fiction involve?

• finding supporting dialogue and interactions between characters to support ideas

• looking for quotes that support the main idea

• finding quotes that support the plot

• finding quotes that explain character

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What is the first step in finding evidence in a text?

• Closely read the text to find the answer

• Note inferences and quotations from the passage that support the answer or claim

• Read and understand the question or claim

• Analyze the evidence

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What is the second step in finding evidence in a text?

• Cite the evidence by including quotations of the excerpted text or by transitional phrases

• Note inferences and quotations from the passage that support the answer or claim

• Analyze the evidence

• Closely read the text to find the answer

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Why is finding text evidence important in literary analysis?

• A) It helps summarize the text

• B) It supports the author's argument or claim

• C) It makes the text more interesting

• D) It provides a main idea

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What is a key characteristic of strong text evidence?

• A) It is lengthy

• B) It is directly related to the question and answer

• C) It is vague

• D) It is complex

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