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How authors support their points

CONCEPTUAL
English›Reading Comprehension|Ages 9—10|ID: mt_k-V37x3zsF

Explain how an author of an informational text uses reasons and evidence to support particular points, evaluating whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient

Mastery Evidence

  • Identify the key points an author makes in an informational text and list the specific reasons and evidence provided to support each point
  • Evaluate whether the evidence an author uses (facts, statistics, examples, expert opinions) is relevant to the point being made and sufficient to be convincing
  • Distinguish between well-supported claims backed by evidence and unsupported opinions or assertions in an informational text

Assessment Prompt

“After reading a persuasive article — like one arguing for or against something — can [child] identify the reasons the author gives and say whether each one is convincing and well-supported?”

Curriculum Standards1 alignment

RI.4.8Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
RI.4.8

Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text.

English Language Arts

Prerequisites1

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  • Why the author wrote it hard

    Evaluating author's use of reasons and evidence builds on identifying author's POV and purpose; the step up is from identifying purpose to evaluating the quality of reasoning

Unlocks1