CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.9
The Standard
Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects 6—12
What This Standard Means
Students need to read nonfiction texts, pull out useful facts or quotes, and use them to support a claim, explanation, or reflection. They should choose evidence that actually connects to the point they are making, not just copy lines that sound important.
Mastery looks like a paragraph, short response, or research note set where each idea is backed by specific text evidence. Students often get stuck picking evidence that is too broad, dropping quotes without explaining them, or confusing their own opinion with what the source proves.
Ways to Teach It
- Have students highlight one claim in an article, then cut and sort evidence cards into strong, weak, and unrelated piles.
- Ask students to answer, “What does this source prove, and what does it not prove?” using two quoted details.
- Give an exit ticket with one claim and three text details, and have students choose the best support and explain why.
- Use a school lunch nutrition label or local news article to write a claim supported by two facts from the text.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.9
Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.9
Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
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