CurriculumGrade 8English Language Arts

Drawing Evidence from Texts

Aligned to W.8.9 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.

What this lesson teaches

Good analysis rests on evidence pulled straight from what you read. When you reflect on or research a topic, support each point with a specific quotation or detail from a literary or informational text.

Worked example

Arguing that a character grows braver, you cite the moment she 'stepped forward first' at the end, using the text's own detail rather than your general impression.

Practice questions

  1. Support one claim about a text with a specific detail.
  2. Choose the quotation that best backs your analysis.
  3. Explain how your evidence proves your 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.

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En español

Extraer Evidencia de los Textos

El buen análisis se apoya en evidencia tomada directamente de lo que lees. Al reflexionar o investigar sobre un tema, respalda cada punto con una cita o detalle específico de un texto literario o informativo.

Ejemplo: Al sostener que un personaje se vuelve más valiente, citas el momento en que 'dio el primer paso al frente' al final, usando el detalle del propio texto y no tu impresión general.

More Writing lessons

Argument, Informative & Research WritingW.8.1Writing to ExplainW.8.2Crafting a NarrativeW.8.3Writing for Task & AudienceW.8.4Revising & Strengthening WritingW.8.5Writing with TechnologyW.8.6

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