How to Cite Evidence From Text to Support your Arguments Using the R.A.C.E.S Method

Why do I need to cite evidence from a text? The textual evidence makes your argument more powerful. Textual evidence goes beyond just your opinions, thoughts, feelings. The evidence you pick shows that you understand what you are actually reading.

How do I cite evidence from a text? Read the text. Develop an answer to the question. Find pieces of text that will help you strengthen your answer. Use the evidence from the text in your paragraph-long answer.

How do I answer the question with textual evidence? Follow the R.A.C.E.S. Method: R – Restate the question in a topic sentence. A – Answer the question. C – Cite textual evidence to support your answer. E – Explain your thinking and the text evidence

Textual Evidence Starters In the text/article/passage/report, … The author states that… According to the text/article/passage/report, … In addition, the author also writes… The text also cites… On page/paragraph..., it states that… An example is… The graphic/photograph/chart/table shows that…...This proves… …This demonstrates…

Example – Immigrant Interviews: Was the immigrant pushed or pulled? My name is Ricardo. I am from Cuba, but I came to America in There are about a million other Cubans that have moved to the United States. Many Cubans live in Miami, Florida. We like to live near each other so that we don ’ t feel too far from home. It ’ s nice having a Cuban for a neighbor, one that speaks your language (Spanish) and cooks and eats the same kind of food you do. Most people that have come from Cuba like me are unhappy with the way the Cubans run their government. In the United States, a person has specific rights, based on the Constitution. In Cuba, the government decides what is best for a person. It is much safer to live in America.

Constructing A Complete Response – Determine Answer & Evidence Go back to the interview – Why did Ricardo move from Cuba to U.S.? He did not like the Cuban Government & Wanted Safety in America – “ Most people that have come from Cuba like me are unhappy with the way the Cubans run their government. In the United States, a person has specific rights, based on the Constitution. In Cuba, the government decides what is best for a person. It is much safer to live in America. ” (From actual text) Ricardo was both pushed and pulled.

Constructing A Complete Response – Group Response Read Paul’s interview. As a group, decide if Paul was pushed from Germany or pulled to the United States. Determine which evidence from the interview supports your answer (highlight/underline it). As a group, write a 1-paragraph response.

Ryan was looking forward to sleeping over at his friend Robert's house. Though they had been classmates for a while, the two had only recently become good friends. Ryan packed up his sleeping bag, a pillow, and a few of his favorite toys and games, and then his mom dropped him off at Robert's. Robert met Ryan on the porch and the two did their secret handshake and started playing right away. First they played pirates in Robert's tree fort. Next they played ninjas in the driveway. Then it started getting dark and they went inside of Robert's house. As soon as they walked in the house, Ryan's eyes starting getting red and itchy. He saw a big orange cat sitting on the couch. Then he started sneezing uncontrollably. "I'm sorry, Robert. It's been a lot of fun, but I have to call my mom."

Why do Ryan's eyes get red and itchy when he walks into Robert's house? R.A.C.E