1. Explaining Citations
ELA Grade 7

2. SAY MEAN MATTER METHOD What does the text say? What does it mean?
Why does it matter?
Cite Evidence
Explain the Evidence
Elaborate on its importance
Find proof.
Support your supporting details. Without this, your reader will not believe you.
Makes your reader say,” Yes! You’ve got my attention.”
This is the interpretation. Make connection between your evidence and your claim/reason.
How does this (your evidence) prove what you wrote in your supporting detail?
What does this mean?
Why this citation? What about this citation proves your point?
Makes your reader say, “Oh Yes! I agree.”
This is the implication. Dig Deeper
Make a connection between your explanation and the impact your character’s words, thoughts, or actions has on the rest of the story or others.
What are the implications? (Possible outcomes or results?)
Why does it matter to me or others?
Why is it important? (to the story as a whole?) What is the significance?
Makes your reader say,
“Brilliant! I strongly agree. “

3. SAY MEAN MATTER Claim/Detail What does the text Say What does it Mean
Why does it Matter
I’m got in trouble.
Mom came home and said; “No TV tonight.”
My mom took a preferred activity away from me.
By taking a preferred activity away, she hopes to draw attention to the fact that negative behaviors will be punished. This may help to discourage me from these type of behaviors in the future.

4. Matter
The third column is the most abstract and may prove to be difficult at first. So what? What is the theme or message of the piece? How does this piece connect to your thesis? What questions does this piece raise? What implications does it hold for a given character or for the narrative in general?

5. Claim –SAY-Mean-Matter
A claim is a statement of opinion or a reason that must be proven.
The say component of say-mean-matter is explicitly cited evidence. This means you need a citation. Copy word for word that the text says. Use brackets and ellipsis when appropriate.
This is the interpretation. What does it mean? Why this piece of evidence.
Implication.

6. Claim –SAY-Mean-Matter
A claim is a statement of opinion or a reason that must be proven.
The say component of say-mean-matter is explicitly cited evidence. This means you need a citation. Copy word for word that the text says. Use brackets and ellipsis when appropriate.
This is the interpretation. What does it mean? Why this piece of evidence.
Implication.

7. Claim –SAY-Mean-Matter
A claim is a statement of opinion or a reason that must be proven.
The say component of say-mean-matter is explicitly cited evidence. This means you need a citation. Copy word for word that the text says. Use brackets and ellipsis when appropriate.
This is the interpretation. What does it mean? Why this piece of evidence.
Implication.
Darzee is a follower because he is much too naïve.
“ ‘For the great, the beautiful Rikki-tikki’s sake I will stop,’ said Darzee. ‘What is it, O killer of terrible Nag?’ ‘Where is Nagaina, for the third time?’” (Kipling, paragraph 71-72)
This demonstrates that Darzee is naïve because his naiveté, or lack of experience causes him to prematurely celebrate Nag’s death while Rikki’s vigilant nature continues to wonder about Nagaina’s whereabouts. Rikki becomes annoyed with Darzee who is more concern with the celebratory song than helping Rikki find Nagaina.
Rikki, a leader, understands that his job is not done and he must continue to protect Teddy’s family and the rest of the animals in the garden. He truly understands that a true leader must focus on more than just the now. A true leader looks ahead to the future. In contrast, it is Darzee’s naïve nature which holds him back. While he thinks the all troubles are gone, he celebrates instead of helping Rikki.