π What is Citing Text Evidence?
Citing text evidence means using specific details or quotes from a text (like a book, article, or even a website) to support your ideas and opinions in your writing. It's like showing your work in math class, but for reading! It makes your writing stronger and more believable.
π A Little History
The idea of citing sources isn't new! People have been referencing their sources for centuries. But in modern education, especially in elementary school, teaching students how to properly cite evidence helps them develop critical thinking and analytical skills early on.
π Key Principles of Citing Text Evidence
- π Read Carefully: Understand the text you're working with before trying to cite it.
- π Find the Evidence: Look for specific sentences or phrases that support your point.
- βοΈ Introduce the Evidence: Don't just drop the quote! Use a signal phrase to introduce it.
- π¬ Include the Evidence: Copy the quote exactly as it appears in the text, and put it in quotation marks.
- π§ Explain the Evidence: Tell your reader *why* this evidence supports your point. Don't assume they'll understand the connection automatically.
- π Cite the Source: For 5th grade, usually, you just need to mention where the evidence came from (e.g., "In the book, *The Secret Garden*...").
π‘ Signal Phrases to Introduce Evidence
- π£οΈ The author states, "..."
- βοΈ In the text, it says, "..."
- π According to [Source], "..."
- π§ For example, "..."
- π The text describes, "..."
π Real-World Examples
Let's say you're writing about the importance of friendship in the book *Charlotte's Web*.
Weak: Charlotte and Wilbur are friends.
Strong: The author shows how important friendship is. For example, the text describes, "'You have been my friend,' replied Charlotte. 'That in itself is a tremendous thing.'" This shows that Charlotte values her friendship with Wilbur, even as she is dying.
π Practice Time!
Passage:
"The little house looked very lonely in the big world. It was surrounded by fields, and it sat on a small hill. No other houses were near. A road ran close by, and sometimes a car would go past on the road."
Question: How does the passage make the little house seem?
Example Answer using Text Evidence:
The passage makes the little house seem lonely. For instance, the text states, "The little house looked very lonely in the big world." This shows that the author is directly telling us the house's feeling of loneliness.
π Conclusion
Citing text evidence is a crucial skill for 5th graders (and beyond!). It helps you become a stronger writer, a more careful reader, and a more persuasive thinker. Keep practicing, and you'll be citing like a pro in no time!