English Language Arts
Grade 10
15 min
Identify supporting evidence in a text
Identify supporting evidence in a text
What you'll learn
- Identify at least 3 common Greek and Latin roots (e.g., 'tele,' 'photo,' 'port') and their meanings from a provided list with 100% accuracy.
- Explain how knowing the meaning of a root (e.g., 'bio') can help you understand the meaning of a new word containing that root (e.g., 'biology') in at least 2 out of 3 examples.
- Apply your knowledge of Greek and Latin roots to determine the meaning of 5 unfamiliar words out of 7 presented in a short paragraph, achieving 71% accuracy.
- Analyze a list of 4 words sharing a common root (e.g., transport, export, import, portable) and correctly explain the connection between their meanings based on the shared root with 100% accuracy.
Tutorial Preview
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Differentiate between a claim, a reason, and supporting evidence within an argumentative text.
Evaluate the relevance and credibility of textual evidence in relation to a specific claim.
Select the most compelling statistics, expert opinions, anecdotes, and direct quotations to support an argument.
Annotate a text to systematically identify and categorize different types of evidence.
Explain how a specific piece of evidence logically supports a claim.
Identify and disregard information that is irrelevant or contradictory to the central argument.
Have you ever tried to win an argument but couldn't find the perfect fact to prove your point? 🤔 Let's learn how to become an evidence detective!
This tutorial will teach you how to locate, analyze, an...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
ClaimThe main argument or thesis statement of a text. It is a debatable assertion that the author aims to prove.In George Orwell's 'Animal Farm,' the pigs' rise to power demonstrates that revolutions can be corrupted by greed and a thirst for control.
EvidenceThe specific facts, statistics, expert testimony, quotations, or examples used to support a claim.To support the claim about corruption in 'Animal Farm,' one could cite the evidence that 'the pigs began to reserve the milk and apples for themselves.'
Reasoning (or Warrant)The logical connection that explains how a piece of evidence supports the claim. It's the 'so what?' that links the proof to the point.The pigs' hoarding of resources (evidence) shows...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Relevance Test
Ask: 'Does this piece of information directly support the specific point I am trying to make?'
Use this test for every potential piece of evidence. If the connection is not direct and clear, the evidence is likely irrelevant. Strong evidence doesn't just relate to the general topic; it proves the specific claim.
The Evidence Hierarchy
Prioritize empirical data and expert testimony over anecdotal or emotional evidence.
In formal arguments, verifiable facts, statistics from credible studies, and analysis from recognized experts are the strongest forms of evidence. Personal stories (anecdotes) can be illustrative but are generally weaker as primary proof.
The 'Quote-and-Explain' Convention
Every piece of evidence (especially a d...
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Challenging
A research paper claims: 'Mandatory school uniform policies in U.S. public schools lead to a significant reduction in disciplinary issues.' Which piece of evidence is factually accurate but fails the 'Relevance Test' for this specific claim?
A.U.S. Department of Education report from 2021 showing a 25% decrease in suspensions in schools that implemented uniform policies.
B.2020 sociological study from the UK that found a strong correlation between uniforms and improved student attendance.
C.Testimony from a high school principal in Chicago detailing a drop in gang-related incidents after uniforms were required.
D.survey of 1,000 U.S. parents showing that 70% believe uniforms reduce clothing-related bullying.
Challenging
Based on the tutorial's principles, which statement best synthesizes the relationship between the 'Relevance Test' and the 'Evidence Hierarchy'?
A.Evidence high on the hierarchy, like a statistic, is always relevant, regardless of the claim.
B.The Evidence Hierarchy is more important; it's better to use a slightly irrelevant expert opinion than a relevant anecdote.
C.The two are unrelated concepts; one is about connection and the other is about source type.
D.Evidence must first pass the Relevance Test; only after it is deemed relevant should its position on the Evidence Hierarchy be considered to determine its strength.
Challenging
A student is writing an argument that social media platforms are designed to be addictive. They have four pieces of evidence. Applying the tutorial's principles (Relevance, Hierarchy, Credibility), which is the strongest?
A.tweet from a celebrity with 10 million followers stating, 'I can't stop scrolling on this app!'
B.The student's own personal story about spending an entire weekend watching short-form videos.
C.An article from a popular entertainment magazine discussing which apps are the most fun to use.
D.quote from a former Silicon Valley engineer, published in a technology journal, explaining how 'intermittent variable rewards' are built into an app's design to maximize user engagement.
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What grade level is "Identify supporting evidence in a text"?
Identify supporting evidence in a text is a Grade 10 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Identify supporting evidence in a text?
You'll be able to: Identify at least 3 common Greek and Latin roots (e.g., 'tele,' 'photo,' 'port') and their meanings from a provided list with 100% accuracy; Explain how knowing the meaning of a root (e.g., 'bio') can help you understand the….
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How many practice questions are included with Identify supporting evidence in a text?
This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.