Trace Reasons and Evidence

Explain how an author uses facts, details, and explanations as reasons and evidence to support a point.

How the lesson starts: Trace Reasons and Evidence

Nia's big idea
Nia the squirrel has a big idea. She wants the Acorn Council to build a reading treehouse. But Councilor Bao the badger is hard to convince. He says, show me your reasons and your proof! Let's help Nia.
How an argument stands
The point is the big claim on top. Reasons tell why the point is a good idea. Under each reason sits its proof, like facts and examples. Each piece of proof holds up one reason.
Match the proof
Bao asks what each detail proves. The library closes at four. That shows there's no quiet place, so it goes with reason one. Thirty kids joined a book club. That shows many kids would use it, so it goes with reason two.