CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.1

ELA6th GradeKey Ideas and Details

The Standard

Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Reading Standards for Literature

What This Standard Means

Students need to point to exact words or details in a story, poem, or drama and use them to back up an answer. They should handle both “right there” meanings and ideas the author suggests but does not say directly.

Mastery looks like a claim, a well-chosen quote or detail, and a clear explanation of how the evidence proves the point. Students often choose vague evidence, copy too much text, or make an inference that is not supported. Many need practice linking evidence to their thinking, not just dropping in a quote.

Ways to Teach It

Give pairs a short story excerpt, sticky notes, and highlighters to mark one explicit detail and one clue for an inference.
Ask students to answer, “What does this character want, and how do you know?” using one quoted line and one explanation.
Use an exit ticket with three boxes labeled claim, evidence, and reasoning after reading a one-page passage.
Show a movie clip with subtitles, then have students cite one line or action that proves a character’s mood.