Drawing Evidence into Analysis
Aligned to W.11-12.9 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
What this lesson teaches
Using evidence well means embedding it in reasoning — introducing it, quoting or citing only the load-bearing part, and then explaining precisely how it proves your claim. Evidence that is dropped in without analysis proves nothing; the explanation is the argument.
Worked example
To argue a character is self-deceived, a writer quotes only three words — 'I chose this' — then explains that the character says it about a fate no one chose, so the quotation proves the delusion precisely because it contradicts the situation the writer has already established.
Practice questions
- State a claim and select the single most load-bearing piece of evidence for it, quoting only what you need.
- Write the sentence that introduces the evidence so a reader knows why it is coming.
- Write two sentences of analysis explaining exactly how the evidence proves the claim, not just restating it.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Llevar la Evidencia al Análisis
Usar bien la evidencia significa insertarla en el razonamiento — presentarla, citar solo la parte que sostiene el peso y luego explicar con precisión cómo prueba tu afirmación. La evidencia soltada sin análisis no prueba nada; la explicación es el argumento.
Ejemplo: Para argumentar que un personaje se autoengaña, una escritora cita solo tres palabras — 'Yo elegí esto' — y luego explica que el personaje lo dice sobre un destino que nadie eligió, así que la cita prueba el engaño precisamente porque contradice la situación que la escritora ya estableció.
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