English Language Arts
Grade 9
15 min
Identify supporting evidence in a text
Identify supporting evidence in a text
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define supporting evidence and differentiate between its primary types (facts, statistics, expert opinions, anecdotes).
Locate explicit textual evidence that directly supports a given claim or thesis statement.
Evaluate the relevance and credibility of potential evidence within an argumentative text.
Annotate a text to highlight and categorize different forms of supporting evidence.
Explain the logical connection between a selected piece of evidence and the central argument it supports.
Distinguish between strong, specific evidence and weak, general statements.
Ever tried to win a debate and realized your points weren't strong enough? 🤔 Let's learn how to find the knockout evidence that makes your arguments undeniable.
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Claim (or Thesis)The main argument or point the author is trying to prove. It's the central idea that all the evidence in the text should support.In an essay, a claim might be: 'School uniforms promote a more focused learning environment by reducing distractions related to fashion.'
Supporting EvidenceThe specific pieces of information used to back up or prove a claim. Evidence answers the question, 'How do you know that's true?'To support the claim about school uniforms, evidence could be: 'A 2021 study by the National Association of Secondary School Principals found that schools with uniform policies reported a 15% decrease in behavioral issues.'
FactA statement that can be objectively verified or proven to be true.The Earth...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Relevance Test
Strong evidence must directly and logically support the specific claim being made.
Before using a piece of information, always ask yourself: 'Does this fact, quote, or statistic actually prove my specific point?' If the connection is weak or indirect, it's not strong evidence.
The Specificity Principle
The best evidence is specific and concrete, not general or vague.
Look for precise data, direct quotations, and detailed examples. A statement like 'many people agree' is weak, whereas 'a 2022 poll of 1,500 citizens showed 78% in agreement' is strong, specific evidence.
The Credibility Check
Evidence is only as strong as its source.
Always consider where the information is coming from. Is the source an expert in the...
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Challenging
Claim: 'Mandatory school uniforms reduce bullying and improve school safety.' Which combination of evidence provides the most comprehensive and persuasive support for this complex claim?
A.An anecdote from a student who felt less pressure to wear designer clothes and a statistic showing a 20% drop in reported discipline issues at a school that adopted uniforms.
B.Two separate anecdotes from two different students at the same school who both like the new uniforms.
C.quote from a fashion designer who dislikes uniforms and a fact stating that uniforms can be expensive for families.
D.general statement that uniforms make students look more professional and a fact that many private schools require them.
Challenging
An argument uses this evidence: 'According to a 2010 study by Dr. Smith, 90% of doctors recommended Brand X.' Which new piece of information would most severely weaken the credibility of this evidence?
A.Dr. Smith is a well-respected researcher at a major university.
B.The study was funded by the company that manufactures Brand X.
C.more recent 2022 study found that 85% of doctors recommend Brand X.
D.The study only surveyed doctors in one specific city.
Challenging
An essay argues that a historical figure was a brilliant military strategist. It presents three pieces of evidence: (1) a statistic on his win-loss record, (2) an anecdote about him outsmarting an opponent in a single battle, and (3) a quote from the figure's political rival calling him 'a lucky fool.' The essay never addresses the rival's quote. What is the primary weakness in the essay's use of evidence?
A.The essay relies too much on statistics instead of personal stories.
B.The anecdote is not specific enough to be considered strong evidence.
C.The essay fails to address or refute a piece of counter-evidence, weakening its overall credibility.
D.The essay should have included an expert opinion from a modern historian.
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