Using Evidence to Analyze
Aligned to W.7.9 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
What this lesson teaches
When you write about what you read, pull specific evidence from the text to support your analysis, reflection, or research. Your claims should rest on quoted or paraphrased proof.
Worked examples
Example 1
Claim: The character grows braver. Evidence: Early on he 'hid behind his mother'; by the end he 'stepped forward first.' Two contrasting quotes prove the change — analysis needs evidence.
Example 2
Claim: the author sympathises with the strikers. Evidence: the owners are described only through their lawyers, and the workers are named.
Example 3
Evidence that proves the opposite of your claim is the most useful thing you can find. Deal with it in the essay instead of hoping nobody noticed.
Practice questions
- Make a claim about a text you read, then find one quote that supports it.
- Add a second piece of evidence and explain how it strengthens your claim.
- Write a short paragraph analyzing a character or idea using two 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
Usar evidencia para analizar
Cuando escribes sobre lo que lees, toma evidencia específica del texto para apoyar tu análisis, reflexión o investigación. Tus afirmaciones deben basarse en citas o paráfrasis.
Ejemplo 1: Afirmación: El personaje se vuelve valiente. Evidencia: al inicio 'se escondía tras su madre'; al final 'dio el primer paso.' Dos citas opuestas prueban el cambio.
Ejemplo 2: Afirmación: el autor simpatiza con los huelguistas. Evidencia: a los dueños solo se les describe a través de sus abogados, y a los trabajadores se les nombra.
Ejemplo 3: La evidencia que prueba lo contrario de tu afirmación es lo más útil que puedes encontrar. Trátala en el ensayo en vez de esperar que nadie la note.
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