Evidence Detectives Slides
Reading & Nonfiction Skills
Lesson Presentation
Mastering Textual Proof
Evidence Detectives
How to hunt for key details, quote author clues, and prove your answers with rock-solid evidence.
1. Spot the Clue
2. Cite the Text
3. Prove the Point
Informational Text Investigation Slide 01 / 10
The Big Idea
What Is Text Evidence?
Slide 02
A Claim
What you think, argue, or conclude about a passage.
Example: "Anglerfish are aggressive deep-sea predators."
Text Evidence
The exact words, facts, and details written by the author that prove your claim.
Example: "The text states it 'dangles a glowing lure directly above its massive jaws.'"
The Golden Rule: If you cannot point your finger directly at it in the text, it is not text evidence!
Strategy & Process
The 3-Step Clue Method
Slide 03
STEP 01
Spot the Clue
Re-read the question, underline keywords, and hunt for matching sentences in the text.
Ask: "Where did the author say that?"
STEP 02
Cite the Text
Quote the author's exact words using quotation marks and a strong sentence frame.
Use: "According to paragraph 2..."
STEP 03
Explain the Link
Explain in your own words why that quotation proves your main answer.
Add: "This evidence shows that..."
Remember this formula: CLAIM + CITATION + EXPLANATION = FULL CREDIT
Case File Article
Deep-Sea Bioluminescence
Slide 04
¶ 1
In the ocean's midnight zone, thousands of feet beneath the waves, sunlight never reaches. Yet this pitch-black world glows with light. Many deep-sea animals produce their own illumination through a chemical reaction called bioluminescence.
¶ 2
One famous hunter is the female anglerfish. It dangles a fleshy, glowing lure from its forehead directly above its massive jaws. Inky water hides the predator, but small curious fish swim straight toward the light and into its trap.
¶ 3
Bioluminescence is not only used for hunting. When threatened, the deep-sea firefly squid discharges a blinding cloud of glowing blue ink. This dazzling burst confuses predators, giving the squid time to dart into safety.
Read carefully: We will use these three paragraphs for all practice tasks. 3 Paragraphs • Nonfiction Science
Step 1 In Action
Spotting the Exact Clue
Slide 05
QUESTION
How does the anglerfish use its glowing body parts to catch prey?
PASSAGE SCAN (PARAGRAPH 2)
"One famous hunter is the female anglerfish. It dangles a fleshy, glowing lure from its forehead directly above its massive jaws. Inky water hides the predator, but small curious fish swim straight toward the light..."
Found the matching sentence!
DETECTIVE CHECKLIST
Keywords matched: "anglerfish", "glowing", "catch/lure".
Right location: Found in Paragraph 2.
Direct evidence: Directly names the glowing lure above the jaws.
Now that we have the sentence, we must cite it correctly! Next: Step 2 Citation Frames →
Step 2 In Action
Sentence Starters for Citing
Slide 06
Never drop a quotation into a sentence all by itself. Use an evidence frame to introduce the author's words:
A
According to the author...
"According to the text, sunlight never reaches the midnight zone."
B
In paragraph [number], it states...
"In paragraph 2, it states that the lure dangles above its jaws."
C
The passage explains that...
"The passage explains that squids use glowing ink to confuse predators."
D
As reported by the text, "..."
"As reported by the text, curious fish 'swim straight toward the light.'"
Punctuation Check: If copying exact author words, enclose them inside quotation marks ("...").
Putting It All Together
The Complete Model Response
Slide 07
Task: How do deep-sea squids defend themselves against dangerous predators?
CLAIM
Deep-sea firefly squids use their bioluminescent light as a defensive trick to escape attacks.
EVIDENCE
According to paragraph 3, the author states that squids "discharge a blinding cloud of glowing blue ink" when threatened.
EXPLAIN
This evidence proves that the glowing burst confuses the attacker, creating an opening for the squid to swim away unharmed.
Notice how each piece builds on the one before it. 100% Text-Based • Clear & Defensible
Detective Traps
Avoid These 3 Evidence Mistakes
Slide 08
The Quote Drop
Pasting a quotation into your paragraph with no introduction or transition words.
Fix: Add "According to the text..." before the quote.
The Memory Guess
Writing what you think you remember without looking back at the actual text.
Fix: Re-open the article and find the exact paragraph.
The Wrong Clue
Pulling an interesting fact that does NOT actually answer the question asked.
Fix: Double check that your quote matches prompt keywords.
High-scoring writers weave evidence smoothly into their own sentences!
Independent Challenge
Your Turn to Investigate!
Slide 09
CASE MISSION #2
Why is bioluminescence necessary for organisms living in the ocean's midnight zone?
1. Go to Paragraph 1
Find what the text says about sunlight and visibility in the midnight zone.
2. Quote the Evidence
Start with: "According to paragraph 1, '...'"
3. Explain the Meaning
Explain why having glowing lights helps them survive in complete darkness.
4. Review Your Frame
Check for quotation marks, correct spelling, and your sentence starter.
Work with your partner or write your response in your notebook. Ready to share out!
Case Closed
The Evidence Detective Checklist
Slide 10
Always Re-Read
Never answer from vague memory. Travel back into the text and locate the specific paragraph.
Frame Your Quotes
Lead into citations with clear attribution like "The text states..." or "In paragraph 2...".
Connect the Dots
Don't leave quotes hanging. Always explain how the evidence proves your claim.
Claim + Proof = Win
A solid claim supported by direct quotes creates an airtight, unshakeable explanation.
You're ready to solve any reading mystery! Evidence Detectives Complete
