informational text evidence quick check

1 answer

To perform a quick check on identifying informational text evidence, follow these steps:

Key Components of Informational Text:

  1. Main Idea: The primary concept or argument the text conveys.
  2. Supporting Details: Facts, statistics, examples, or explanations that back up the main idea.
  3. Text Features: Elements like headings, subheadings, bullet points, charts, and graphs that help convey information.
  4. Citations: References to sources of information, providing credibility.
  5. Visuals: Images or diagrams that support or clarify the text.

Quick Check Method:

  1. Identify the Main Idea:

    • What is the text primarily about?
  2. Locate Supporting Evidence:

    • Find at least three pieces of evidence that support the main idea. These should include:
      • Facts or statistics.
      • Specific examples or case studies.
      • Quotes from experts or research findings.
  3. Examine Text Features:

    • Are there any headings or subheadings? What do they indicate about the content?
    • Are there any visual aids? How do they complement the text?
  4. Check for Credibility:

    • Are sources cited? Do they come from reputable publications or experts in the field?
  5. Summarize:

    • In your own words, summarize the main idea and the supporting evidence you found.

Example for Practice:

Imagine you have a short article about climate change.

  • Main Idea: Climate change is affecting global weather patterns.
  • Supporting Evidence:
    • Increased frequency of hurricanes (statistical data).
    • Examples of recent droughts in California (specific instances).
    • A quote from a climate scientist (expert opinion).
  • Text Features: Headings like "Impact on Weather" and a graph illustrating temperature changes over decades.
  • Citations: References to studies published in peer-reviewed journals.

Conclusion:

Reviewing these components will help you understand and analyze the informational text effectively. This method can be applied to any text to ensure a comprehensive understanding of its content.