English Language Arts
Grade 11
15 min
Choose evidence to support a claim
Choose evidence to support a claim
What you'll learn
- Identify at least 8 out of 10 adjectives in a sentence by circling the word that describes a noun.
- Explain, using at least two sentences, how an adjective makes a noun more descriptive.
- Apply their understanding by writing 3 original sentences, each containing at least one adjective that clearly describes a noun.
- Distinguish between adjectives and other parts of speech (nouns, verbs) in a given list of 10 words with 80% accuracy.
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Differentiate between various types of evidence (e.g., textual, empirical, anecdotal).
Evaluate the credibility, relevance, and sufficiency of potential evidence for a specific claim.
Select the most precise and powerful evidence from a text to substantiate an analytical claim.
Integrate textual evidence into their writing using appropriate signal phrases and citations.
Write clear commentary that explicitly connects a piece of evidence to the claim it supports.
Identify and select evidence that effectively anticipates and refutes potential counterclaims.
Ever tried to win an argument but couldn't find the perfect fact to seal the deal? 🧐 Choosing evidence for an essay is the academic version of that—and we're going to learn how to win.
This t...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
ClaimAn assertive statement that presents your main argument. It is a debatable point that you will prove with evidence.In 'The Great Gatsby,' F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the symbol of the green light to represent the unattainable nature of the American Dream.
EvidenceThe specific facts, statistics, expert opinions, quotations, or examples used to support and develop a claim.A direct quote from a novel, a statistic from a government report, or data from a scientific study.
RelevanceThe degree to which a piece of evidence directly relates to and supports the specific claim being made.To support a claim about a character's loneliness, a quote showing them standing alone watching a party is highly relevant; a quote describing the party's food is not.
Cr...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Rule of Specificity
Always choose the most precise piece of evidence available. Vague or general evidence weakens your argument.
Don't just say a character is sad. Find the exact quote that describes their 'trembling lip' or 'hollow eyes.' The more specific the evidence, the more convincing your analysis will be.
The 'So What?' Test
For every piece of evidence you select, you must be able to answer the question, 'So what?'
This is the rule for writing commentary. After presenting evidence, you must explain its significance. Why does this quote matter? What does this fact prove? If you can't explain *why* it's important, you need different evidence.
The Triangulation Rule
For a major claim, support it with more...
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Sign Up Free to ContinueSample Practice Questions
Easy
According to the key concepts, what is the primary function of 'commentary' in an argumentative essay?
A.To provide a detailed summary of the plot surrounding the evidence.
B.To introduce the source of the evidence with a signal phrase.
C.To explain how and why the provided evidence supports the claim.
D.To present a direct quotation or fact from a credible source.
Easy
Which of the following best defines a 'claim' in the context of writing an argument?
A.verifiable fact or statistic from a reliable source.
B.direct quotation from a literary text.
C.personal opinion or feeling that cannot be proven.
D.debatable, assertive statement that presents the main argument.
Easy
The tutorial warns against the 'Quote Bomb' or 'Evidence Drop'. What is the correct way to avoid this common pitfall?
A.Use only very short quotes to avoid overwhelming the reader.
B.Introduce the evidence with a signal phrase and follow it with commentary.
C.Place all quotes in the footnotes or endnotes of the essay.
D.Paraphrase all evidence instead of using direct quotations.
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What grade level is "Choose evidence to support a claim"?
Choose evidence to support a claim is a Grade 11 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 8 out of 10 adjectives in a sentence by circling the word that describes a noun; Explain, using at least two sentences, how an adjective makes a noun more descriptive; Apply their understanding by writing 3….
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This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.