Reasons and Evidence
Aligned to RI.4.8 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
What this lesson teaches
When an author makes a point, they should back it up with reasons and evidence — facts, examples, or numbers that prove it. Your job is to find the point the author is making and then spot the support they give for it.
Worked examples
Example 1
An author writes, 'Kids should walk to school.' Their reasons: it gives exercise, and it makes less traffic. That evidence is what turns their opinion into a supported point.
Example 2
An author writes, 'Schools should start later.' Reasons: teenagers' sleep cycles shift; districts that moved start times saw fewer car crashes.
Example 3
Not all evidence is equal. 'A study of 9,000 students found...' is stronger than 'my cousin says...' — notice which one an author gives you.
Practice questions
- Find a point an author makes and name one reason they give for it.
- Explain the difference between an author's opinion and the evidence that supports it.
- Read a short argument and decide if the evidence really backs up the point.
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
Razones y Evidencia
Cuando un autor hace una afirmación, debe apoyarla con razones y evidencia — hechos, ejemplos o números que la prueben. Tu tarea es encontrar la afirmación que hace el autor y luego identificar el apoyo que da.
Ejemplo 1: Un autor escribe: 'Los niños deberían caminar a la escuela.' Sus razones: da ejercicio y hace menos tráfico. Esa evidencia es lo que convierte su opinión en una afirmación apoyada.
Ejemplo 2: Un autor escribe: 'Las escuelas deberían empezar más tarde.' Razones: los ciclos de sueño de los adolescentes cambian; los distritos que movieron el horario vieron menos choques.
Ejemplo 3: No toda evidencia vale igual. 'Un estudio de 9,000 estudiantes encontró...' es más fuerte que 'mi primo dice...' — fíjate cuál te da un autor.
More Reading: Textos Informativos lessons
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