Text Evidence

True or False: You should never provide text evidence for your written responses.

• TRUE

• FALSE

You should always include text evidence on your written responses.

• TRUE

• FALSE

It was the sea eagle that called Emily down to the beach. It hovered above the waves, it's broad wings dusty where the land had left its mark, its small eyes that could follow the horizon bright and keen. She hadn't meant to come down onto the beach. She'd meant to sit at the top of the ramp till the other kids had left the street, till she could walk home from school in peace without strangers staring at her, but somehow the bird seemed to urge her to come down. Which textual evidence best describes Emily's thoughts and feelings?

• "... sea eagle that called Emily..."

• "... till she could walk home from school in peace..."

• "... its broad wings dusty..."

• "... the bird seemed to urge her to come down."

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. Which of the following would be considered explicit textual evidence?

• Toby is Michael's brother

• "the sky looked gray and dirty"

• Michael was trying to sleep

• Michael and Toby were cold

What is text evidence?

What is textual evidence?

• Summary of the text

• Specific details from a text that support a claim or analysis

• Random thoughts from the author

• Opinions of the characters

Which of the following is the best definition of text evidence?

• A) A summary of the text

• B) Specific details from a text that support a claim or analysis

• C) Random thoughts from the author

• D) Opinions of the characters

Why is text evidence important in an essay?

• A) It makes the essay longer

• B) It provides support for your arguments

• C) It confuses the reader

• D) It is not important

Which sentence is an example of using text evidence?

• A) I think the character is sad

• B) The author writes, 'Tears streamed down her face as she turned away.'

• C) The book is very interesting

• D) The plot is confusing

What should you do after providing text evidence in your writing?

• A) Leave it as it is

• B) Explain how it supports your point

• C) Ignore it

• D) Repeat it