Day 3: Evidence and Elaboration The Write Stuff! Day 3: Evidence and Elaboration

Why do we need evidence and elaboration? Evidence and elaboration consists of the specific details and information writers use to develop their topic. The key to developing support and elaboration is getting specific. Good writers use concrete, specific details, and relevant information to construct mental images for their readers. Without this attention to detail, readers struggle to picture what the writer is talking about, and will often give up altogether.

Evidence and Elaboration Writing should support a main idea using evidence, or proof, such as facts, sources, or details. For example: Here is a comic strip. Take a few minutes and examine both the images and the words to help you understand what the author is trying to say.

The correct answer is: B: The dog hates the cat. Based on the image, what can we infer? (An inference is  when you use clues from the story and your own thoughts to figure out  something that the author doesn't  tell you.) A.) The cat hates the dog. B.) The dog hates the cat. C.) The pet owner is out of dog food. The correct answer is: B: The dog hates the cat.

Evidence helps us explain how we know what we know Evidence helps us explain how we know what we know. What Three pieces of evidence can we find to prove our inference? Evidence #1: The dog is hiding behind the washing machine. Evidence #2: The dog is saying “Oh, please, oh, please.” He is hoping that the cat jumps into the dryer. Evidence #3: The dog has written “cat fud” everywhere hoping to trick the cat into walking into the dryer. (We can assume it was the dog who wrote the signs because “food” is spelled wrong.) #1 #2 #3

Now, try one on your own! Be sure to mark your answers on the answer sheet. Based on the image provided, what can we infer? A.) Gladys wants Emily to come over to watch TV. B.) Gladys is afraid. C.) Emily is a great neighbor. Write down three pieces of evidence that support that idea. Evidence #1: Evidence #2: Evidence #3:

Think you got it? Try this one. Based on the image provided, what can we infer? A.) The momma bear ate the Anderson brothers. B.) The Anderson brothers have a new pet. C.) The Anderson brothers befriended the bears and lived with them. Write down three pieces of evidence that support that idea. Evidence #1: Evidence #2: Evidence #3:

Ok, last one. Make it count! Based on the image provided, what can we infer? A.) Dogs like to learn. B.) Obedience school is difficult. C.) Dogs are not very good students. Write down three pieces of evidence that support that idea. Evidence #1: Evidence #2: Evidence #3:

Great job. Tally up your points and keep track of your score Great job! Tally up your points and keep track of your score. Don’t forget to write your name on your answer sheet! Get Ready for day 4- Editing and Proofreading