---
title: "Evidence-Based Writing"
description: "Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research in writing, applying grade-level reading standards to non-fiction"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/evidence-based-writing-mt_ZxdfRbwkKM
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/evidence-based-writing-mt_ZxdfRbwkKM.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Evidence-Based Writing

Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research in writing, applying grade-level reading standards to non-fiction

Subject: English · Area: Writing Composition · Ages 9 to 11
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/evidence-based-writing-mt_ZxdfRbwkKM

## Ready when they can

- Write a research-based paragraph or short report that cites specific facts, details, and evidence from informational texts to support key points
- Synthesise information from two informational sources into a written summary that accurately represents both, noting areas of agreement and difference
- Paraphrase information from informational texts accurately and cite sources appropriately, avoiding plagiarism

## Lesson: Backing up your writing with evidence

You already know how to find the main topic and key details in a text, and how to run a short research project. Evidence-based writing takes that further: when you write your own report, you weave in real facts and details from what you read, so your ideas are backed up by more than just your opinion. Paraphrasing means changing the wording and sentence structure, keeping the meaning, and still naming the source.

**Example.** Mia is writing about bees. Instead of 'Bees are important,' she writes: 'According to a National Geographic article, bees pollinate about one third of the food we eat, from apples to almonds.' She names the source and gives an exact fact.

*(drawing: Follow these steps to turn research into evidence-based writing.)*

**Tip.** Putting a fact in your own words is called paraphrasing. Change the wording and sentence structure, keep the meaning, and still say where the fact came from. Copying a sentence exactly without saying so is plagiarism.

Sometimes you'll read two texts about the same topic. If they agree, say so. If they don't, for example one article says a plan works well and another says it has problems, explain both sides in your summary instead of picking just one.

**Recap.** Good non-fiction writing points back to real facts and sources, put in your own words, and shows both sides when sources disagree.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Short Research Projects](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/short-research-projects-mt_FW9_8F52bw)
- [Main Topic & Key Details](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/main-topic-and-key-details-mt_QCWWmDMYZR)
- [Checking sources against each other](https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/checking-sources-against-each-other-mt_wWlZoLQBR6)

## Opens up

- [Drawing conclusions from evidence (age 12+)](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/drawing-conclusions-from-evidence-age-12-mt_3jmBpEepYX)
- [Evidence versus interpretation](https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/evidence-versus-interpretation-mt_Lu4H4mbsqO)