Explaining Events & Ideas
Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in an informational text, including what happened and why, by citing specific textual evidence about causes, effects, and steps in a process
What a learner can do afterwards
- Explain a historical event described in an informational text by identifying both what happened and the causes leading to it, using specific details from the text
- Describe the steps in a procedure or process presented in an informational text, explaining why each step is necessary based on information in the text
- Identify cause-and-effect relationships between ideas or events in an informational passage and explain them using evidence from the text
The lesson
When a text explains an event, it tells you two things: what happened, and why it happened. Your job is to find both parts and point to the exact words that prove it.
Sometimes a text explains a process instead of one event. A process has steps, and each step happens for a reason. Look for the reason next to each step, not just the step itself. The exact words you point to are called textual evidence.
Read this: 'Boiling is necessary because it removes the water and leaves behind the thick, sweet syrup.' The word because signals the reason. The evidence for why boiling matters is right there in the sentence.
Watch for signal words like because, so, as a result, and this caused. They often sit right next to the answer you need.
Find what happened and why, then point to the exact words in the text that prove it.
Watch it
Where it sits
Learn first
This opens up
Nothing builds on it yet.
Where this leads
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.