Citing Textual Evidence
Aligned to RL.6.1 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
What this lesson teaches
Support every claim about a text with specific evidence — both what the text states directly and what it implies. Cite the quote, then explain the connection.
Worked examples
Example 1
Claim: the narrator distrusts the stranger. Evidence: she 'kept the door half-closed and answered in short words' — guarded actions show distrust.
Example 2
Claim: the town expected the flood. Evidence: 'sandbags had been stacked by the bridge since Tuesday' — the stacking came before the rain.
Example 3
Quote only what you need. A whole paragraph dropped in as evidence makes the reader find your point for you.
Practice questions
- Cite explicit and inferred evidence for one claim about a character.
- Explain how a quote you chose supports your claim.
- Find evidence that a story's mood is tense.
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
Citar Evidencia del Texto
Respalda cada afirmación sobre un texto con evidencia específica, tanto lo que el texto dice directamente como lo que implica. Cita la frase y luego explica la conexión.
Ejemplo 1: Afirmación: la narradora desconfía del extraño. Evidencia: ella 'mantuvo la puerta entreabierta y respondió con palabras cortas' — esas acciones de guardia muestran desconfianza.
Ejemplo 2: Afirmación: el pueblo esperaba la inundación. Evidencia: 'los costales de arena estaban apilados junto al puente desde el martes' — apilarlos ocurrió antes de la lluvia.
Ejemplo 3: Cita solo lo necesario. Un párrafo entero puesto como evidencia obliga a quien lee a encontrar tu punto por ti.
More Reading: Literature lessons
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