ELACC5.RI.8: Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point(s).

How can I pick out important points when I read informational text? How do I know which reasons

and evidence support which points?

Authors of informational text make points, or state ideas about a topic. They then use reasons and evidence to support these points. Convincing reasons and evidence can help authors prove their points to readers.

Main point or idea

Supporting reason or evidence

Supporting reason or evidence

What do you think of insects? Do you think they are interesting? Or do you think they are gross? It is true that some insects are pests and may be annoying. But insects are important creatures, even though most are very tiny!

Insects perform many valuable jobs in our world. Ants, for example, eat all kinds of litter on the ground, such as dead plants and other insects. Ladybugs eat aphids, a pest that eats crops. Bees and butterflies carry pollen between the plants they visit. This helps the plants produce seeds.

Other insects make products for humans. Bees produce honey. Silk-moth caterpillars make silk that we use in clothing. Some people even eat insects as a treat or snack!

In the first sentence of the second paragraph, the author makes the point that insects perform many valuable jobs in our world. What reasons and evidence does the author use to support this point?

What do you think of insects? Do you think they are interesting? Or do you think they are gross? It is true that some insects are pests and may be annoying. But insects are important creatures, even though most are very tiny!

Insects perform many valuable jobs in our world. Ants, for example, eat all kinds of litter on the ground, such as dead plants and other insects. Ladybugs eat aphids, a pest that eats crops. Bees and butterflies carry pollen between the plants they visit. This helps the plants produce seeds.

Other insects make products for humans. Bees produce honey. Silk-moth caterpillars make silk that we use in clothing. Some people even eat insects as a treat or snack!

What do you think of insects? Do you think they are interesting? Or do you think they are gross? It is true that some insects are pests and may be annoying. But insects are important creatures, even though most are very tiny!

Insects perform many valuable jobs in our world. Ants, for example, eat all kinds of litter on the ground, such as dead plants and other insects. Ladybugs eat aphids, a pest that eats crops. Bees and butterflies carry pollen between the plants they visit. This helps the plants produce seeds.

Other insects make products for humans. Bees produce honey. Silk-moth caterpillars make silk that we use in clothing. Some people even eat insects as a treat or snack!

In the first sentence of the third paragraph, the author makes the point that insects make products for humans. What reasons and evidence does the author use to support this point?

What do you think of insects? Do you think they are interesting? Or do you think they are gross? It is true that some insects are pests and may be annoying. But insects are important creatures, even though most are very tiny!

Insects perform many valuable jobs in our world. Ants, for example, eat all kinds of litter on the ground, such as dead plants and other insects. Ladybugs eat aphids, a pest that eats crops. Bees and butterflies carry pollen between the plants they visit. This helps the plants produce seeds.

Other insects make products for humans. Bees produce honey. Silk-moth caterpillars make silk that we use in clothing. Some people even eat insects as a treat or snack!

Let’s look at one more passage.

“Building Green” is one way to conserve natural resources and protectthe environment, but it is expensive and requires dedication to change. Thereare other ways you can conserve energy that will result in reduced pollution,and you don’t have to move!

Paying attention to the heating and cooling in your home will helpconserve energy. If you turn the thermostat down in the winter and up in thesummer, the result is a significant decrease in the use of electricity or gas.Even changing the temperature a few degrees will save a bundle of energy.

Putting away the car keys will help conserve natural resources. Cars usegasoline, which comes from a nonrenewable resource. If you can, take a busor train, ride a bike, or walk. Doing so will help you save money on gasoline,reduce the amount of fossil fuels you use, and help the environment bypreventing the burning of those fuels.

Going green is easier than you think!

In the first sentence of the second paragraph, the author makes the point that paying attention to heating and cooling our homes will help conserve energy. What reasons and evidence does the author use to support this point?

“Building Green” is one way to conserve natural resources and protectthe environment, but it is expensive and requires dedication to change. Thereare other ways you can conserve energy that will result in reduced pollution,and you don’t have to move!

Paying attention to the heating and cooling in your home will helpconserve energy. If you turn the thermostat down in the winter and up in thesummer, the result is a significant decrease in the use of electricity or gas.Even changing the temperature a few degrees will save a bundle of energy.

Putting away the car keys will help conserve natural resources. Cars usegasoline, which comes from a nonrenewable resource. If you can, take a busor train, ride a bike, or walk. Doing so will help you save money on gasoline,reduce the amount of fossil fuels you use, and help the environment bypreventing the burning of those fuels.

Going green is easier than you think!

In the first sentence of the third paragraph, the author makes the point that putting away the car keys will help conserve natural resources. How does the author use reasons and evidence to support this point?

“Building Green” is one way to conserve natural resources and protectthe environment, but it is expensive and requires dedication to change. Thereare other ways you can conserve energy that will result in reduced pollution,and you don’t have to move!

Paying attention to the heating and cooling in your home will helpconserve energy. If you turn the thermostat down in the winter and up in thesummer, the result is a significant decrease in the use of electricity or gas.Even changing the temperature a few degrees will save a bundle of energy.

Putting away the car keys will help conserve natural resources. Cars usegasoline, which comes from a nonrenewable resource. If you can, take a busor train, ride a bike, or walk. Doing so will help you save money on gasoline,reduce the amount of fossil fuels you use, and help the environment bypreventing the burning of those fuels.

Going green is easier than you think!

In the first sentence of the third paragraph, the author makes the point that putting away the car keys will help conserve natural resources. How does the author use reasons and evidence to support this point?

“Building Green” is one way to conserve natural resources and protectthe environment, but it is expensive and requires dedication to change. Thereare other ways you can conserve energy that will result in reduced pollution,and you don’t have to move!

Paying attention to the heating and cooling in your home will helpconserve energy. If you turn the thermostat down in the winter and up in thesummer, the result is a significant decrease in the use of electricity or gas.Even changing the temperature a few degrees will save a bundle of energy.

Putting away the car keys will help conserve natural resources. Cars usegasoline, which comes from a nonrenewable resource. If you can, take a busor train, ride a bike, or walk. Doing so will help you save money on gasoline,reduce the amount of fossil fuels you use, and help the environment bypreventing the burning of those fuels.

Going green is easier than you think!

When you read informational text, be aware of the main points the author is making. He or she should have reasons or evidence to support his or her main points. The more reasons or evidence, the better the reader is going to understand the points and believe them.

You can use this knowledge as a writer as well! When you are writing an informational piece, make sure that you have good evidence and reasons to support your main points.