English Language Arts
Grade 8
15 min
Choose evidence to support a claim
Choose evidence to support a claim
What you'll learn
- Identify at least three pieces of textual evidence from a given passage that directly support a provided claim.
- Explain in writing how each chosen piece of evidence logically connects to and strengthens the given claim, using specific details from the text.
- Evaluate the strength of different pieces of evidence in supporting a claim and rank them from strongest to weakest, justifying their ranking in a short paragraph.
- Apply the learned skills to select and cite appropriate evidence from a new, unseen text to support a claim they develop independently.
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify relevant and credible evidence to support a given claim.
Evaluate the sufficiency of chosen evidence for an argumentative essay.
Formulate clear and precise descriptions of evidence using correct hyphenation for compound modifiers.
Distinguish between correctly and incorrectly hyphenated compound adjectives when integrating evidence.
Apply hyphenation rules to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity when presenting evidence.
Analyze how precise language, including correct hyphen usage, strengthens an argument.
Ever notice how a single word can change the meaning of a sentence? 🧐 Imagine trying to convince someone without clear, strong evidence!
In this lesson, you'll learn how to select the best evidence to back up your claims. We'll also...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
ClaimAn arguable statement or main point that an author tries to prove in an essay or argument.Year-round schooling offers significant academic benefits for students.
EvidenceFacts, statistics, examples, expert opinions, or anecdotes used to support a claim and make it believable.A 2022 study showed a five-point increase in test scores for students in year-round programs.
RelevanceHow closely the evidence relates to and directly supports the claim, ensuring it's on-topic.For a claim about year-round schooling benefits, a study on student attendance is relevant; a study on school lunch menus is not.
CredibilityThe trustworthiness and reliability of the source from which the evidence comes.A peer-reviewed scientific journal is generally more credible than an anony...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Hyphenating Compound Adjectives Before a Noun
Use a hyphen to connect two or more words that function as a single adjective describing a noun that follows.
This rule ensures that the reader understands which words modify the noun as a single unit. Without the hyphen, the meaning can be ambiguous or confusing, especially when describing evidence.
No Hyphen with Adverbs Ending in -ly
Do not use a hyphen when an adverb ending in '-ly' modifies an adjective (e.g., 'clearly written report').
Adverbs ending in '-ly' are already clearly understood to modify the word immediately following them, so a hyphen is unnecessary and incorrect. Adding one can make your writing look unprofessional.
Hyphenating Numbers and Fractions as Adjectives
Use a hyphe...
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Sign Up Free to ContinueSample Practice Questions
Easy
According to the tutorial, what is the primary reason to use a hyphen to connect words before a noun?
A.To make the sentence longer and more formal.
B.To show that the words are acting as a single adjective.
C.To indicate a pause for the reader.
D.To connect an adverb to a verb.
Easy
Which of the following is the best example of a 'claim' as defined in the tutorial?
A.Year-round schooling offers significant academic benefits for students.
B.Many schools have a nine-month calendar.
C.2022 study showed a five-point increase in test scores.
D.Dr. Anya Sharma is a child psychologist.
Easy
Based on the 'Common Pitfalls' section, which sentence correctly uses an adverb ending in '-ly'?
A.The highly-regarded expert presented her findings.
B.It was a clearly-written and persuasive report.
C.The highly regarded study provided strong evidence.
D.She quickly-ran to the library to find the source.
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What grade level is "Choose evidence to support a claim"?
Choose evidence to support a claim is a Grade 8 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Choose evidence to support a claim?
You'll be able to: Identify at least three pieces of textual evidence from a given passage that directly support a provided claim; Explain in writing how each chosen piece of evidence logically connects to and strengthens the given claim, using….
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How many practice questions are included with Choose evidence to support a claim?
This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.