CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.1
The Standard
Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an 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 make a claim about a literary text, then choose the strongest lines or details to back it up. They should handle both what the text directly says and what it suggests. They also need to explain how the evidence proves the point, not just drop in a quote.
Mastery looks like a clear answer, well chosen evidence, and reasoning that connects the two. Students often pick the first quote they see, choose evidence that is only loosely related, or make an inference that goes beyond what the text can support.
Ways to Teach It
- Give pairs three claim cards and ten quote strips from a story, then have them rank the best evidence for each claim.
- Ask students to write: What does the character want most, and which two lines prove it best?
- Use an exit ticket with one claim and four evidence choices, asking students to circle the strongest and explain why.
- Bring in a movie review paragraph and have students identify the reviewer’s claim, evidence, and explanation.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.1
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.1
Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.1
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.1
Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.1
Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.