Standard: 7.RL.1 – Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Grade level: Grade 7
Subject: English Language Arts
Domain: Reading: Literature
Teacher Overview
This standard emphasizes the importance of using multiple pieces of textual evidence to support analysis, which is crucial for developing critical thinking and analytical skills. Mastery of this standard prepares students for more advanced reading and writing tasks. Students should be comfortable identifying main ideas and key details, and making simple inferences from texts.
Students will be better prepared to engage in more complex textual analysis and argumentative writing, which are essential skills for higher-level English Language Arts.
Common Misconception 1
Some students might think that citing just one piece of evidence is enough for a thorough analysis. This is incorrect because a comprehensive analysis requires multiple pieces of evidence to fully support an argument or interpretation.
Intervention 1
Use guided practice where students identify and discuss multiple pieces of evidence in a text, explaining how each piece supports their analysis.
Common Misconception 2
Students may believe that their personal opinions can substitute for textual evidence. This is a misconception because academic analysis requires evidence from the text to support any claims or interpretations.
Intervention 2
Provide exercises where students must distinguish between personal opinions and text-based evidence, and practice backing up claims with specific references from the text.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should be able to identify the main idea and key details in a text and have basic skills in making simple inferences from a text.
Subsequent Knowledge
Students will develop the ability to critically analyze more complex texts, synthesize information from multiple sources, and develop stronger argumentative writing skills.
Instructional Activities
- Close reading exercises focusing on evidence collection
- Group discussions analyzing text passages
- Writing assignments requiring multiple pieces of textual evidence
- Debates where students must cite textual evidence
