Evidence Architects Slides Evidence Architects
Building Stronger Paragraphs with Evidence & Elaboration
The Project Blueprint
01
Identify the Facts
Find the exact words or information from the text to support your idea.
02
Build the Bridge
Use sentence starters to connect the text to your explanation.
03
Explain the "Why"
Tell the reader why this evidence matters to your topic.
The Bricks: Evidence
Evidence is the proof from the text. Without bricks, your building has no walls!
What is it?
Direct quotes
Specific facts
Data and statistics
Where do you find it?
In the passage
In a diagram or chart
In a caption
The Mortar: Elaboration
"Elaboration is the glue (mortar) that holds your bricks together."
It's where YOU explain how the evidence proves your point. It connects the facts to your thoughts .
BRICK
MORTAR
BRICK
Evidence Toolbelt
Phase 1: Prove It
"According to the text..."
Use this for any general fact or quote.
"The author states that..."
Great for when the writer says something clearly.
"On page ___, it says..."
Perfect for books or long articles.
"For example, the text says..."
Use this when you are giving a specific instance.
Elaboration Toolbelt
Phase 2: Explain It
"This shows that..."
The classic bridge to your explanation.
"This is important because..."
Tell the reader the value of the fact.
"This means that..."
Translate the quote into your own words.
"This proves my point because..."
Tie it directly back to your main idea.
Construction Zone: Let's Build!
Topic Idea:
Honeybees are essential for the environment.
Phase 1: Add Evidence
According to the text, bees pollinate about one-third of the food humans eat.
Phase 2: Elaborate
This is important because without bees, many of our favorite fruits and vegetables would disappear.
Start Building!
Check your worksheet for your project instructions.
Remember: A strong building needs SOLID BRICKS (Evidence) and STRONG MORTAR (Elaboration).
Paragraph Blueprint Handout The Paragraph Blueprint
A Guide to Evidence & Elaboration
Project Site
The Bricks
Text Evidence
Facts, quotes, or details from the text that prove your point.
"Without bricks, your building has no walls!"
The Mortar
Elaboration
Your own words explaining why the evidence is important.
"The glue that holds your bricks together!"
Architect's Toolbelt
Evidence Starters
According to the text...
The author states that...
On page ___, it says...
For example, the text says...
Based on the passage...
Elaboration Starters
This shows that...
This is important because...
This means that...
This proves my point by...
This reveals...
Anatomy of a Strong Paragraph
1
Topic Sentence
Elephants are highly intelligent animals.
2
Evidence (Bricks)
According to the text, elephants can recognize themselves in a mirror.
3
Elaboration (Mortar)
This shows that they have a high level of self-awareness, which is rare in the animal kingdom.
4
Concluding Sentence
Clearly, these massive creatures have impressive minds.
Keep this blueprint in your writing folder to help you build expert paragraphs!
Evidence Architects Worksheet Project: Building Paragraphs
Becoming an Evidence Architect
Architect:
Date:
Work Order Instructions
Use your Paragraph Blueprint to help you build. For each section, use one Evidence Starter and one Elaboration Starter to complete the construction.
1
Job #1: Desert Dwellers
Topic Idea:
Camels are perfectly built for life in the hot desert.
Fact (The Brick):
Their humps store fat which they can use for energy when there is no food or water.
Step 1: Lay the Brick (Use an Evidence Starter + Fact)
Step 2: Add the Mortar (Use an Elaboration Starter to explain why it matters)
2
Job #2: Ocean Giants
Topic Idea:
Blue whales are the largest animals to ever live on Earth.
Fact (The Brick):
A blue whale's tongue alone can weigh as much as an entire elephant.
Step 1: Lay the Brick
Step 2: Add the Mortar
Master Architect Challenge
Choose your own topic! Write a Topic Sentence , then use your Bricks and Mortar to build a mini-paragraph below.
Evidence Architects Teacher Guide Teacher Guide: Evidence Architects
Instructional Support & Key
Subject: Writing
Grade: 4
Learning Objective
Students will be able to use specific sentence starters to introduce text evidence and provide elaboration that explains the significance of that evidence.
The Analogy
The Brick: Hard facts from the text. Durable but can't stand alone without support.The Mortar: Student's own explanation. Holds the facts together and builds the argument.
Facilitation Prompts
"What happens to a brick wall if there is no mortar? How is that like a paragraph with only facts and no explanation?"
"Why do we need a 'toolbelt' of starters? Why not just use 'I think' every time?"
Worksheet Exemplars (Sample Responses)
Job #1: Desert Dwellers
Step 1 (Evidence):
"Based on the text, camels have humps that store fat which they can use for energy when food is scarce."
Step 2 (Elaboration):
"This means that they can travel for long distances across the desert without needing to stop for a meal."
Job #2: Ocean Giants
Step 1 (Evidence):
"The author states that a blue whale's tongue alone can weigh as much as an entire elephant."
Step 2 (Elaboration):
"This is important because it helps the reader understand just how massive and powerful these whales really are."
Common Misconceptions
The "Repeating" Trap: Students often just repeat the fact in different words for elaboration. Encourage them to explain why it matters or what it proves .Missing Starters: Students may dive straight into the fact without a starter. Remind them that the starter acts as the "glue" or the signal to the reader. 
