Evidence in Nonfiction
Aligned to RI.7.1 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
What this lesson teaches
In informational texts, cite several exact details to support both stated facts and inferences you draw. Multiple pieces of evidence make an interpretation trustworthy.
Worked examples
Example 1
Article says a river's fish 'have nearly vanished' and lists rising temperatures and new dams. Inference: the dams may be a cause. Two cited facts support this more than a hunch.
Example 2
An article notes a town's school closed and its clinic followed within two years. Inference: people left, and the services followed the people.
Example 3
The article may state a cause you should not accept. 'Because of the new highway' is the author's inference; check whether they showed it or assumed it.
Practice questions
- In an article you're reading, quote one sentence that states a fact directly.
- Find two more details and use them to make an inference the author implies.
- Write a claim about the article's topic and support it with three cited details.
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
Evidencia en textos informativos
En textos informativos, cita varios detalles exactos para respaldar tanto hechos como inferencias. Varias evidencias hacen confiable tu interpretación.
Ejemplo 1: Un artículo dice que los peces de un río 'casi desaparecieron' y menciona más calor y represas nuevas. Inferencia: las represas pueden ser causa. Dos hechos citados lo respaldan.
Ejemplo 2: Un artículo señala que la escuela de un pueblo cerró y la clínica siguió dos años después. Inferencia: la gente se fue y los servicios siguieron a la gente.
Ejemplo 3: El artículo puede dar una causa que no deberías aceptar. 'Por la nueva carretera' es la inferencia del autor; revisa si la demostró o la supuso.
More Reading: Informational lessons
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