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English · Grade 8

Close Reading and Strong Evidence

Through an original story about a science-fair competitor who spots an error on her rival's poster, learners read closely in several passes, choose the evidence that most strongly supports an analysis, and analyze how particular lines of dialogue and incidents propel the action, reveal character and provoke a decision. They finish by writing an evidence-rich analysis.

  • 4 lessons
  • About 100 minutes
  • Close reading and evidence check: 8 questions
  • Ways to answer: choose an answer, highlight a text, match pairs, sort into groups and write a short answer
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What learners will discover

  • Read closely in several passes (what the text says, how it says it, what it means), noticing word choice, patterns and shifts.
  • Select the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis, judging directness, specificity and sufficiency.
  • Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents propel the action, reveal aspects of a character or provoke a decision.
  • Write an analysis that uses the strongest evidence with insightful commentary.

Lessons

  1. Read in passes 6 steps3 practiceabout 25 min
  2. The strongest evidence 5 steps3 practiceabout 24 min
  3. Lines and incidents that drive the story 5 steps3 practiceabout 25 min
  4. Write with the strongest evidence 4 steps2 practiceabout 26 min
  5. Close reading and evidence check 8 questions at the end

Keep exploring

Games to practice with

More 8th grade reading

Guide for grown-ups