Grade 8 Lesson 1
Define and understand evidence and elaboration
Discover techniques authors use to elaborate
Practice techniques authors use to elaborate
Elaborate in your own essay writing
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Define and understand evidence and elaboration
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Define and understand evidence and elaboration
The must be:
Clear: Does the reader understand what you are trying to convey?
Convincing: Are your details directly related to the evidence?
Original: Have you reflected on how the evidence proves the point/claim you are making? Is the explanation in your own words? Did you avoid using a direct quote?

Define and understand evidence and elaboration
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2
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3
Points
Strong
Rubric
Description
Consistent use of specific supporting details, often conveyed through a variety of elaborative techniques such as: facts and statistics, examples, reasons, quotations, and sensory details, as appropriate to the task.
Adequate Develops support through the use of elaborative techniques.
Uneven
Developed in some parts of the response but not in others or may be weak overall.
Weak Does not provide sufficient elaboration.

Discover techniques authors use to elaborate
How do you elaborate on evidence?

Discover techniques authors use to elaborate
How do you elaborate on evidence?
The underlined text is the point the author is making.
The rest is the elaboration on that point.
: A short narrative to develop (elaborate) the point.
Example: The school funding problems were affecting all aspects of school. Last week 32 third graders took their annual fieldtrip to the local planetarium, but they had to use the school buses instead of the charters they normally take. On their way, the bus broke down and smoke poured into the bus. Thirty-two children sat in near freezing temperatures on the side of a busy highway while they waited for a replacement bus.

Discover techniques authors use to elaborate
How do you elaborate on evidence?
The underlined text is the point the author is making.
The rest is the elaboration on that point.
: If the point or idea requires defining to better explain, then provide the definition.
Example: The program is called the National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honeybees and Other Pollinators .
It will try to manage the way forests burned by wildfire are replanted. It will also improve the way offices are landscaped and attempt to protect roadside habitats where bees feed.

Discover techniques authors use to elaborate
How do you elaborate on evidence?
The underlined text is the point the author is making.
The rest is the elaboration on that point.
: Create vivid images for the reader.
Example: Marine bases are now like mini towns. They include friendly health centers, beautiful green golf courses, and refreshing swimming pools. Some even have their own movie theatres and bowling alleys.

Discover techniques authors use to elaborate
How do you elaborate on evidence?
The underlined text is the point the author is making.
The rest is the elaboration on that point.
: Provide more specific information about the evidence.
Example: Online schools offers some unique alternatives to public schools .
The Shafer family believes in Twain’s adage, never let schooling interfere with your education. The family of four travel around the world, backpacking, sailing, discovering its wonders. On their own schedule, they complete their school work online, or even design their own unit and classes based on where they are and what they are learning.

Discover techniques authors use to elaborate
How do you elaborate on evidence?
The underlined text is the point the author is making.
The rest is the elaboration on that point.
: Numbers (data) and information that help support your idea or argument.
Example: Scientists are starting to worry that not enough students are studying plant life .
Fewer colleges offer degrees for becoming a plant scientist. In fact, in the past 30 years the number of botanists has dropped 50%.

Practice techniques authors use to elaborate
Practice
Topic / Point
/Claim
Technique:
Choose from anecdote, definition, description, example or fact/statistic
Example:
Elaborate on the topic with
2-3 sentences.

Discover techniques authors use to elaborate
Practice
Identify an author’s use of elaboration so that you can elaborate when writing.
• Read the sample text
• Note the point/message the writer is making.
• Find where and how the writer elaborates on that point.

Discover techniques authors use to elaborate
Sample Text: “Carbohydrates: the Energy Source”
Text Point/Claim : There are three types of carbohydrates.
:
...starches, sugars and dietary fibers. When we eat starches or sugars, they enter our digestive system to be broken down into glucose. As it passes through the small intestines, small little finger-shaped entities called villi absorb the glucose and pass it into the blood stream where it is sent to the muscles and the liver to be used as fuel.
When we eat dietary fiber, it is used to help eliminate wastes from the intestines and the stomach and it helps to regulate the digestion of the sugars so that the glucose is not introduced into the bloodstream all at once. Plus – dietary fiber keeps us feeling full much longer.

Discover techniques authors use to elaborate
Sample Text: “Carbohydrates: the Energy Source”
Text Point/Claim : There are three types of carbohydrates.
:
...starches, sugars and dietary fibers. When we eat starches or sugars, they enter our digestive system to be broken down into glucose. As it passes through the small intestines, small little finger-shaped entities called villi absorb the glucose and pass it into the blood stream where it is sent to the muscles and the liver to be used as fuel.
When we eat dietary fiber, it is used to help eliminate wastes from the intestines and the stomach and it helps to regulate the digestion of the sugars so that the glucose is not introduced into the bloodstream all at once. Plus – dietary fiber keeps us feeling full much longer.
Which elaboration technique(s) has the author used?

Discover techniques authors use to elaborate
Sample Text: “Carbohydrates: the Energy Source”
Text Point/Claim : There are three types of carbohydrates.
:
...starches, sugars and dietary fibers. When we eat starches or sugars, they enter our digestive system to be broken down into glucose. As it passes through the small intestines, small little finger-shaped entities called villi absorb the glucose and pass it into the blood stream where it is sent to the muscles and the liver to be used as fuel.
When we eat dietary fiber, it is used to help eliminate wastes from the intestines and the stomach and it helps to regulate the digestion of the sugars so that the glucose is not introduced into the bloodstream all at once. Plus – dietary fiber keeps us feeling full much longer.
Is it CLEAR?
Does the reader understand what the author is saying?
Does the reader understand more about the three types of carbohydrates?

Discover techniques authors use to elaborate
Sample Text: “Carbohydrates: the Energy Source”
Text Point/Claim : There are three types of carbohydrates.
:
...starches, sugars and dietary fibers. When we eat starches or sugars, they enter our digestive system to be broken down into glucose. As it passes through the small intestines, small little finger-shaped entities called villi absorb the glucose and pass it into the blood stream where it is sent to the muscles and the liver to be used as fuel.
When we eat dietary fiber, it is used to help eliminate wastes from the intestines and the stomach and it helps to regulate the digestion of the sugars so that the glucose is not introduced into the bloodstream all at once. Plus – dietary fiber keeps us feeling full much longer.
Is it
Convincing?
Are the details / elaboration directly related to the point?

Discover techniques authors use to elaborate
Sample Text: “Carbohydrates: the Energy Source”
Text Point/Claim : There are three types of carbohydrates.
:
...starches, sugars and dietary fibers. When we eat starches or sugars, they enter our digestive system to be broken down into glucose. As it passes through the small intestines, small little finger-shaped entities called villi absorb the glucose and pass it into the blood stream where it is sent to the muscles and the liver to be used as fuel.
When we eat dietary fiber, it is used to help eliminate wastes from the intestines and the stomach and it helps to regulate the digestion of the sugars so that the glucose is not introduced into the bloodstream all at once. Plus – dietary fiber keeps us feeling full much longer.
Is it Original?
Did the author use his own words when providing details?
Did he convey his own thoughts, connections, or interpretations?

Discover techniques authors use to elaborate
On Your Own
Find another point the author is making.
Let’s use:
If we eat too many starches and sugars, our body will store about a day’s worth to be used when needed.
 Highlight the elaboration that supports or answers this question.
 Share your answers with a partner.
 Determine which techniques were used for this elaboration.

Discover techniques authors use to elaborate
Practice with a partner
If we eat too many starches and sugars, our body will store about a day’s worth to be used when needed.
It stores this extra in the liver. However, if we eat more than the day’s worth, it is then turned to fat and stored around the body. If we have a time when we eat too few carbohydrates, then the body turns to the glucose stored in the liver and then will turn to the additional fat stores as fuel.
Which elaboration technique(s) has the author used?

Discover techniques authors use to elaborate
On Your Own
• Find another point the author is making.
• Highlight the elaboration that supports the point.
• Determine which techniques were used for this elaboration.

Elaborate in your own essay writing
On Your Own
Use the following topic (or another from your teacher) and find evidence to support a point you want to make.
Remember, your elaboration must meet the criteria:

Elaborate in your own essay writing
On Your Own
Many junior high and high schools around the country now require students to spend a certain number of hours each term doing volunteer work or community service. Some people believe this is an excellent idea that promotes good citizenship and cultivates compassion. Others feel that forced volunteerism is not volunteerism at all. How do you feel about this issue? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position. As you think about your audience, decide what type of elaboration would be most convincing.