Virginia SOL 5.RI.1.C
The Standard
Describe how an author uses reasons, evidence, and opinions to support points in a text, by identifying (and accurately quoting) which reasons and evidence support which point(s).
Virginia Standards of Learning for English · Key Ideas and Confirming Details
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students find the author’s points and decide which reasons, facts, examples, or opinions relate to each one. They quote relevant words accurately and explain how each quotation supports the point.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students identify a specific point and match it with relevant reasons and evidence. They quote the text accurately and explain the connection in their own words.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may treat any detail as evidence, even when it does not support the selected point. They may confuse the author’s opinion with a fact or copy a long section without explaining the connection.
How to Assess It
- Give students a short article with two clear points. Ask: “Choose one point, quote one supporting reason or piece of evidence, and explain how it supports that point.”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Write points, reasons, evidence, and opinions from an article on separate cards, then have groups sort and connect them with string.
Ask students to write: “Which evidence best supports the author’s point, and why is it stronger than another detail?”
Play Evidence Match by giving teams point cards and detail cards, then awarding points for correct matches and clear explanations.
Examine a product advertisement and identify its main claim, opinion statements, reasons, and any facts used as evidence.
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Related Standards
- 3.RI.1.C
Identify and explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support specific points in texts.
- 4.RI.1.C
Distinguish between fact and opinion and explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support opinions within texts.
- 4.C.1.A.iv
Using evidence, examples, or details to support opinions and conclusions.
- 6.C.1.A.v
Paraphrasing and summarizing key ideas being discussed by using ample evidence, examples, or details to support opinions and conclusions.
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