Are there some situations in an argument when you don't have to add text support?

It depends what the argument is about! Basically if the argument is about lets say a computer and how it works. Yes, you may need a little bit of text support to actually detail on how the computer works, but you won't need as much if it's just saying on how a computer works. Which is giving you almost no text support at all. Hope this helps!

um..... uhhhhhhhhh..... are you actally banning social media

An excellent question! No, the author's claim is not that it would be advisable to ban social media, but merely states that spending and excessive amount of time on social media can be harmful. However, the author also mentions that using social media in moderation can have many benefits to students, including but not limited to learning new things and connecting with friends.

Main content

Course: 6th grade reading and vocabulary (improved and expanded) > Unit 1

Lesson 2: Citing text evidence

Text evidence: The writer's secret weapon

Google Classroom

Want to start winning debates? Look for the evidence to support your points.

Imagine you’re trying to convince your parents or guardians to let you play Minecraft after school. You consider two different ways to argue your point:

“Okay, hear me out. Minecraft is super fun, and all my friends are playing it. If I can’t play Minecraft, I’m going to be a social outcast. Getting to the Ender Dragon is like a badge of honor and I haven't even seen a single Creeper yet.”

“Okay, hear me out. According to research by
, Minecraft actually increases students’ academic performance and collaboration skills. I think there’s a lot of value in developing those skills.”

Which do you think your parents would find more convincing, and why?

For most people, argument two is probably more convincing. Why? Instead of just stating an opinion and personal experiences like the speaker in number one, the speaker in number two provides text evidence in support of their argument. In this article, we’ll be discussing why text evidence matters and how to select the best text evidence so you can prove your points with style!

Why is text evidence important?

It makes your argument more convincing. As you saw with the fictional debate above, when you use text evidence, you're not just sharing your opinion—you're providing solid proof to back up your point. This makes your argument more believable and persuasive.
It shows you understand the text. Using text evidence proves that you've read and understood the material. This is important because it shows whoever you’re trying to convince that you know what you're talking about.
It helps you think critically. When you search for text evidence, you're forced to analyze the text closely and think about how it supports your claim. This helps you develop critical thinking skills, which are essential for success in school and life.

How can I select the best text evidence?

Look for strong examples. The best text evidence is clear, specific, and directly related to your claim. Look for examples that clearly support your point and are easy to understand.
Use quotes. When possible, use direct quotes from the text to support your claim. This shows that you're not just making things up, but actually using the author's words to back up your argument.
Stay relevant. Make sure the text evidence you choose is relevant to your claim. If you're trying to prove that a character is brave, for example, don't use a quote about their favorite food. Stick to evidence that directly supports your point.
Keep it brief. When using text evidence, try to keep it short and sweet. You don't want to overwhelm your reader with too much information. Instead, choose a few strong examples that clearly support your claim.
Explain your evidence. After presenting your text evidence, explain how it supports your claim. This helps your reader understand why the evidence is important and how it connects to your argument.

Try it!

Practice: Text evidence

You want to convince your principal to ban junk food in the cafeteria. Categorize the following hypothetical text evidence as either supporting or not supporting your argument.

1

1

(1) You want to convince your principal to ban junk food in the cafeteria. This text evidence supports your argument, by showing a benefit of banning junk food (test scores go up).

(2) This text evidence doesn’t support your argument, because it’s about exercise, not banning junk food.

(3) You want to convince your principal to ban junk food in the cafeteria. This text evidence doesn’t support your argument, because it shows a problem when schools ban junk food (schools earn less money).

(4) This text evidence supports your argument, by showing a benefit of banning junk food (students become healthier).

Practice: Text evidence

Read the text:

Have you ever felt worse after spending time on Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram? Social media can be fun for kids and teens, helping them stay in touch with friends and learn cool stuff. But too much social media can also cause problems. Spending lots of time online might make you miss out on sleep or exercise. Studies show that teens who use social media a lot could feel more anxious and depressed. While social media can have benefits, we need to do more to make sure young people stay safe and healthy when using it.

Which line from the text BEST shows that the author doesn’t want to get rid of social media?

(Choice A)
"Have you ever felt worse after spending time on Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram?"
(Choice B)
"Social media can be fun for kids and teens, helping them stay in touch with friends and learn cool stuff."
(Choice C)
"Spending lots of time online might make you miss out on sleep or exercise."
(Choice D)
"Studies show that teens who use social media a lot could feel more anxious and depressed."

Remember!

Using text evidence is like having a secret weapon in your debate arsenal. By choosing strong, relevant examples and explaining how they support your claim, you'll be well on your way to winning any argument and impressing your teacher, friends, parents, and debate partners. So the next time you're asked to make a claim or prove a point, don't forget to arm yourself with the power of text evidence!

Happy reading (and writing)! 📖✏️

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  An excellent question! No, the author's claim is not that it would be advisable to ban social media, but merely states that spending and excessive amount of time on social media can be harmful. However, the author also mentions that using social media in moderation can have many benefits to students, including but not limited to learning new things and connecting with friends.
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Are there some situations in an argument when you don't have to add text support?
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- avs
  Posted a month ago. Direct link to avs's post “It depends what the argum...”
  It depends what the argument is about!
  
  Basically if the argument is about lets say a computer and how it works. Yes, you may need a little bit of text support to actually detail on how the computer works, but you won't need as much if it's just saying on how a computer works. Which is giving you almost no text support at all.
  
  Hope this helps!
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I thought a scientific study would be more trustworthy than a magazine article, does it have to be exact information or a trusted study?
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why don't they teach us better ways to write?
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Is this really sixth grade reading?? This is easy for a.. 5th grader...
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