How to Analyze a Text - Citing Evidence

How to Analyze a Text

Citing Evidence

Hello!

Here are some important things to know about how to analyze a text , especially when you need to cite evidence.

What on earth is textual evidence?

Text - written word

Evidence - proof

Text + Evidence = Citing proof in the text

Multiple Choice

What is textual evidence?

• Text + Summary

• Text + evidence

Don't you want to be believed?

If your little brother told you that the mall in your town was going to open up a petting zoo, would you believe him? What if he told you he read it on a sign at the mall? What if he told you specifically that he read about it on a sign to the left of the carousel which read ''Petting zoo coming in September''? The more specifics someone can provide when making a claim, the more they can support their argument.

So how do we cite evidence?

The Steps

1. Read

Read the passage thoroughly.

This is reading thoroughly. It means to read carefully, quietly, and attentively.

Step 2: Once finished with reading the passage, use the ACE method

• A stands for answering the question using prior knowledge (what you already know) and inferences (best educated theory or conclusion)

  
  

• C stands for citing evidence in the text to support your opinions or thoughts. 

  
  

• E stands for explaining your answer with evidence by paraphrasing or directly quoting. 

  
  

Multiple Select

Check all the boxes that apply. What does the A in ACE stand for?

• Answer the questions using prior knowledge and inferences.

• Citing evidence in the text to support your opinions or thoughts.

Multiple Select

Check the box with the correct answer. What does the C stand for in ACE?

• answer the question using prior knowledge (what you already know) and inferences (best educated theory or conclusion)

• Cite evidence in the text to support your opinions or thoughts.

• Explain your answer with evidence by paraphrasing or directly quoting

Multiple Select

Check the box with the correct answer. What does E stand for in ACE?

• Answer the question using prior knowledge (what you already know) and inferences (best educated theory or conclusion)

• Cite evidence in the text to support your opinions or thoughts.

• Explain your answer with evidence by paraphrasing or directly quoting

How do we ACE?

• To answer questions, we can restate the question.

• Example question - What is Superman's only weakness?

• Answer - Superman's only weakness is....

• Now you try and restate this question.

• What is the most powerful Pokemon?

When we answer a reading comprehension question, we do two things.

We use prior knowledge.

We make inferences.

Prior Knowledge

Is when a reader has previous experience or has already read about a particular topic, he will have some insight or knowledge to the topic before reading it.

Inferring

Inferring is an educated guess or reading facts and evidence to reach a logical conclusion or opinion. 

Multiple Choice

What two things do we do when we analyze a text?

• Use prior knowledge

• Use Inferring

• Use both prior knowledge and inferring.

Citing

Citing is when answering questions about a reading assignment, look back at the text and find proof for the answers within the text. Highlighting the text is an effective approach to mark the evidence! 

Example: Color code all the important direct quotes in yellow. 

There are two types of citing

Paraphrasing and Quoting

Paraphrasing

• Means to explain the passage in your own words.

• Use the RAP method to paraphrase.

• RAP stands for 

  R - Read the passage

  A - Ask yourself information about the passage

  P - Paraphrase the passage in your words (Try and explain the passage in your own words).

  
  

Multiple Choice

What does RAP stand for?

• Read the passage, ask yourself information about the passage, and paraphrase the passage in your own words.

• Copying exactly what the author is saying in your answer. Make sure to use quotation marks!

What is direct quoting?

The author says, “…”    The text states, “…..”  Quoting is copying exactly what the author is saying in your answer. Make sure to use quotation marks!

Multiple Choice

Make sure to use what punctuation marks when you are quoting an author directly?

• " "

• .

• !

• ?

Taking Notes

Students should take notes on all of the acronyms, new or unique vocabulary, and other things that the teacher shows on a chart or a graphic. 

Fill in the Blank

If my teacher wants me to learn about the unusual vocabulary or important points about a reading passage, what can I take?

Practice

Practice these strategies with short reading passages at first and then work towards longer passages. 

Apply

You can use what you have learned now about textual evidence to analyze almost any passage. 

Here are a few practice passages.

You're doing a great job!

Multiple Choice

Today is a special day for Bob. He was waiting at the bus stop with his dad. He is a little scared. He is meeting his second grade teacher for the first time. He hopes he likes her. He hopes he makes new friends in his class, too.

What day do you think this is for Bob?

• day of the class trip

• first day of school

• Halloween

• Christmas

Multiple Choice

Andrew sat in the chair. The dentist looked in his mouth with a small mirror. With a sharp pointed tool, he picked at places around Andrew's teeth. Finally, the dentist spoke, and told the boy his teeth had cavities.

How did Andrew get cavities in his teeth?

• He did not brush his teeth well.

• He did not floss his teeth.

• He ate too much candy.

• All of the above.

Multiple Choice

Read the story. Then, answer the question.

Steve and his sister were playing. They were playing in the yard. A bird landed on the fence. They watched the bird fly to the ground. It picked up some grass. Then, it flew to a tree. Steve said the bird was making a nest.

Where did the bird land?

• on the fence

• on the roof

• under the tree

• on the car

Multiple Choice

Read the story. Then, answer the question.

Steve and his sister were playing. They were playing in the yard. A bird landed on the fence. They watched the bird fly to the ground. It picked up some grass. Then, it flew to a tree. Steve said the bird was making a nest.

What was the bird making?

• a pie

• a nest

• supper

• money

You did it!

Great Job!