Evidence & Insight
What does text evidence mean in an informational text?
Specific details, quotes, or examples from the text that support an idea or answer.
What does the term "text structure" mean?
The way information is organized in a text, such as cause and effect, problem and solution, or compare and contrast.
What are text features in an informational text?
Elements such as headings, captions, charts, and bold words that help readers understand the information.
What does connotation mean?
The emotional or cultural associations that a word carries beyond its dictionary definition.
What was the theme of a Disney short Purl?
Women in the Workplace
When you use a quotation from an article, what should you always include after it to make your response stronger?
Original commentary that explains how the evidence supports your claim.
What is the author’s purpose in an informational text?
The author’s reason for writing—such as to inform, explain, or persuade.
What does tone mean in a text?
The author’s attitude or feeling toward the subject.
Which word has a more positive connotation—confident or arrogant?
Confident.
What are the parts of a body paragraph?
Topic Sentence, Evidence, Explanation, Concluding Sentence.
Read this statement: “The author includes data showing that 80% of teens use social media daily.”
What kind of evidence is this—statistical, anecdotal, or expert opinion?
Statistical
If an article is organized by showing how one event leads to another, what text structure does it use?
Cause and Effect
If an author describes something as “a disastrous failure,” what kind of word choice (diction) is this?
Strong, negative diction used to create a critical tone.
An author describes a company as being “thrifty” instead of “cheap.” What is the author doing with word choice?
Using a positive connotation to make the company sound smart or resourceful rather than negative.
What was unique about Henrietta Lacks's cells?
They continued to reproduce outside of her body.
If two students both quote the same sentence from a text, what makes one student’s response stronger than the other’s?
The one who adds thoughtful commentary connecting the evidence to the author’s purpose or main idea.
An article begins by describing a major global issue, then outlines possible solutions. What kind of text structure is this?
Bonus Points: How does this support the author's purpose (to inform)?
It organizes the problem and possible answers clearly so readers can understand the significance and actionable solutions.
How do captions and graphics (photos) help support the author’s message in an informational article?
They provide additional details or visual explanation, making the information clearer or more convincing.
What is denotation? How is it different from connotation?
Denotation is the dictionary definition of a word, while connotation is the feeling or idea it suggests.
What are the parts of an introduction paragraph?
Hook, Background Information, Thesis
A text says, “Many communities banned plastic bags to reduce environmental waste.”
Write one sentence of original commentary that connects this evidence to an author’s larger argument about responsibility.
This shows that the author believes communities must take collective action to solve environmental issues.
An author structures an article by comparing two approaches to climate policy. Explain how this structure supports the author’s purpose of persuading readers to favor one approach.
The comparison structure highlights strengths and weaknesses, guiding readers to see one policy as more effective or logical.
An author uses rhetorical questions and repetition throughout an article about recycling. How do these techniques affect the reader? Why would it be more or less persuasive?
They engage the reader to think more deeply and emphasize key points, making the message more persuasive.
An author uses words like innovative, bold, and visionary when describing a new policy. How does this diction support the author’s purpose (to persuade)?
The positive diction helps persuade readers that the policy is forward-thinking and beneficial.
Summarize the plot of "By Any Other Name" by Santha Rama Rau in one sentence.
A pair of young Indian children are sent to an Anglo-Indian school where the teachers treat them poorly.