Citing Textual Evidence
Cite textual evidence that support inferences and
analysis from the text
Explicit Textual Evidence
 When we have ideas about what we read, we need to
cite Explicit Textual Evidence to support our ideas.
 When we read, we often are asked to answer questions
or express our ideas about the text. In order to let
people know we aren’t “making stuff up”, we should
use Explicit Textual Evidence to support our
opinions or answers.
 In real life, people who can back up an opinion about a
text with Explicit Textual Evidence are taken more
seriously than people who can only give a reason of
“just because.”
Explicit Textual Evidence
 What does Explicit Textual Evidence mean?
The name really says it all.
 Explicit = direct
 Textual = from the text
 Evidence = support for your answer, opinion,
or idea
Explicit Textual Evidence
 Giving Explicit Textual Evidence about your answers or opinions regarding a
text is pretty simple.You just have to do three things:
1.
2.
State your idea: State the idea you had about the text (if you are responding to a
specific question, be sure your idea restates the question).
Cite what in the text led you to that idea: Give supporting evidence from the text by
directly quoting or paraphrasing from the text. If you are directly quoting from a text,
you must use quotation marks.
Begin with sentence starters = In the first paragraph, the author says…, On page ___, the
author states…., The text states…,The text describes…, For example…,The author explains…,
Early in the text, the author…., For instance…, According to the text…
3.
Explain the Evidence: Explain how the quote(s) you pointed out support your idea,
opinion, or answer . In other words your explanation should describe your
interpretation of the evidence. It might tell the reader what the author of the text
means or how the textual evidence proves your topic sentence (stated idea).
Begin with sentence starters = This shows...This is because...This means...This
reveals...This illustrates...This highlights...This proves…This exemplifies…
In the book The Giver by Lois Lowry, chapter
nine begins “Now for the first time in his
twelve years of life, Jonas felt separate,
different.” This occurred because Jonas was
being treated differently by others, and he felt
separate because he would be alone for the rest
of his life. First, everyone felt differently about
him because he was more important which led
to different treatment at the end of the
ceremony. On page 65 it says, “People moved
aside for him. They watched him. He thought
he could hear whispers.” Now that he was
selected to be the next Receiver of Memory,
others cleared the way for him as he walked by
them. Also, the whispers could be about how
he was very important, and the comments
made him feel self-conscious. This shows that
almost immediately others treated him
differently and therefore, he felt separate.
Model Answer
Question: Chapter nine begins, “Now for
the first time in his twelve years of life,
Jonas felt separate, different.” Explain the
meaning of this quote. How are others
treating him? Why might Jonas feel
separate and different after his selection?
Here, the writer restates the question and
answers it with an idea about the text.
Here, the writer includes a direct quote
from the text as evidence.
Here, the writer comments on how the
quoted text that was cited as evidence
helped form the idea that was stated to
answer the question.
In addition, Jonas will be alone with the
current Receiver while he trains.
On page 69 it states, “Jonas was
stunned. What would happen to his
friendships? His mindless hours of
playing ball or riding his bike along the
river? Those had been happy and useful
times for him. Were they to be
completely taken from him, now?”
While everyone else is able to play and
enjoy physical activity, Jonas must work
and train hard for his selection. This
reveals that with no free time or
interaction during his training, Jonas
will be confined to just train to become
the Receiver of Memory. Eventually,
being alone will separate him from
society.
Here, the writer provides an additional answer
to the question with an idea about the text.
Here, the writer directly quotes from the
text to give a second piece of evidence.
Here, the writer comments on how the
quoted text helped form the idea that was
stated to answer the question.
Modeling/Guided Practice
 Question:
 Why does Jonas feel uneasy with his selection, even when
the Chief Elder states, “He has shown all of the qualities that a
Receiver must have”? Use details from the text to support
your answer.
 As a class, we are going to use the three steps for citing
textual evidence.
 State, Cite, Explain
 Write down the question.
 State the idea you had about the text (if you are responding
to a specific question, be sure your idea restates the
question).
Modeling/Guided Practice
QUESTION
STATE
CITE
EXPLAIN
Your Turn!
 Directions: Complete the Independent
Practice graphic organizer using the question
below. Turn in upon completion.
 Question:
 How do Jonas’s father’s actions impact
Gabriel’s situation in Chapter 6? Use
details from the text to support your
answer.