Authors Use Reasons and Evidence

Understanding How Authors Support Their Ideas Grade 4 English Language Arts

What Are Reasons and Evidence?

Reasons: WHY the author believes something Evidence: FACTS that prove the author's point Authors use both to help us understand their ideas Like building blocks that make ideas stronger

Think About It

If you wanted to convince your parents to get a pet, what reasons would you give? What evidence could you use to support your reasons?

Example: Why Trees Are Important

Let's Find Evidence Together

Read: 'Trees give us oxygen to breathe' Find the evidence in the text Mark it with a virtual sticky note Explain how it supports the author's point

Author's Point vs. Evidence

{"left":"Author's Point: What the author wants us to believe\nEvidence: Facts and details that prove the point is true","right":"Point: Trees are important for animals\nEvidence: Many birds build nests in tree branches"}

Your Turn to Be Detectives

Work in pairs or independently Find ONE new author point in the text Find the evidence that supports it Be ready to explain WHY the evidence supports the point Use your graphic organizer

Remember This

Good authors always give reasons and evidence to help us understand their ideas. This makes their writing stronger and more convincing!