#Command of Evidence: Textual - Your Ultimate Guide 🕵️‍♀️

Hey there, future SAT rockstar! Let's break down "Command of Evidence: Textual" – it's all about being a text detective. You're not just reading; you're searching for the perfect clues to back up your answers. Think of it as a treasure hunt where the treasure is a perfect score! This guide is designed to make sure you're ready to find that treasure, even the night before the big day.

#Evidence Support for Claims

#Types and Sources of Evidence

• Evidence can:
  • Support a claim
  • Refute a claim
  • Qualify a claim (add nuance or conditions)
• It comes from:
  • Explicit statements
  • Implied meanings (tone, language, rhetorical devices)
  • Specific details, examples, facts, stats, quotes
• Sometimes, you'll need to synthesize evidence from different parts of the passage.
• Context is KEY! The same evidence can mean different things depending on where it is in the passage.

#Evaluating Evidence Strength

• Relevance and strength are crucial when choosing the best answer.
• To find the best evidence:
  • Understand the main idea
  • Understand the author's purpose
  • Understand the structure of the passage
• Evaluate evidence based on:
  • Specificity: How detailed is it?
  • Relevance: How closely does it relate to the claim?
  • Degree of Support: How strongly does it back up the claim?
• Evidence from the main argument or conclusion is stronger than evidence from tangential points.

#Examples of Evidence Types

• Specific Details: Concrete support (e.g., population statistics). Think: numbers and hard facts.
• Examples: Illustrate abstract concepts (e.g., historical events). Think: real-world situations.
• Facts: Objective information (e.g., scientific discoveries). Think: verifiable truths.
• Statistics: Numerical data (e.g., economic trends). Think: percentages and data.
• Quotations: Author's direct words (e.g., literary analysis). Think: the author speaking directly.

#Strongest Evidence for Answers

#Characteristics of Strong Evidence

Mastering this section is crucial because it often determines whether you get the point or not. It's all about finding the most powerful evidence.

• Strong evidence is:
  • The most relevant, specific, and convincing
  • Directly supports the previous answer
  • Can be a single piece of info or a combination
• You need a solid understanding of the previous question and correct answer to find the strongest evidence.
• Evaluate it based on:
  • Specificity
  • Relevance
  • Degree of support

#Identifying Strong Evidence

• Careful reading and analysis are key.
• Compare multiple pieces of relevant info to find the strongest.
• Focus on evidence from the main argument or conclusion.
• Sometimes, the absence of information can be the strongest evidence.

#Examples of Strong Evidence

• A direct quote where the author clearly states their position.
• A specific data point that illustrates a trend (e.g., "10% increase in renewable energy use").
• A detailed description of an event central to the passage's main argument.
• A combination of related facts that build a comprehensive case.

#Final Exam Focus 🎯

• High-Priority Topics:
  • Identifying main ideas and author's purpose
  • Analyzing evidence types and strength
  • Finding the most relevant support for answers
• Common Question Types:
  • Questions that ask you to find evidence to support a claim
  • Questions that ask you to evaluate the strength of different pieces of evidence
  • Questions that ask you to synthesize information from multiple parts of the passage
• Last-Minute Tips:
  • Time Management: Don't spend too long on one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back later.
  • Common Pitfalls: Avoid making assumptions or choosing evidence that doesn't directly support the claim. Always refer back to the question.
  • Strategies: Read the question carefully before reading the passage. This will help you know what to look for. Pay attention to the context of the evidence.

#Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the passage? (A) To present a historical overview of a specific event (B) To analyze the impact of a scientific discovery (C) To argue for a change in government policy (D) To explore the nuances of a complex social issue

2. Which sentence from the passage provides the strongest evidence for the claim that the author is biased? (A) "The study was conducted over a period of five years." (B) "The results were published in a peer-reviewed journal." (C) "It is clear that the opposing viewpoint is completely unfounded." (D) "The data was collected from a diverse group of participants."

3. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT a characteristic of strong evidence? (A) Specificity (B) Relevance (C) Ambiguity (D) Direct Support

Free Response Question

Read the following passage:

"The implementation of the new technology has led to a significant increase in productivity. According to the latest data, there has been a 25% increase in output in the last quarter. This is a direct result of the efficiency gains provided by the new system. However, some critics argue that the new technology has led to job losses. While it is true that some positions have been eliminated, the overall impact on the economy has been positive, with new jobs created in other sectors."

FRQ:

1. Identify two pieces of evidence from the passage that support the claim that the new technology has increased productivity. (2 points)
2. Explain how the author addresses the counterargument that the new technology has led to job losses. (2 points)
3. Evaluate the strength of the evidence presented in the passage. Is the evidence convincing? Why or why not? (3 points)

Scoring Breakdown

1. 2 points: One point for each correctly identified piece of evidence:

   • "The implementation of the new technology has led to a significant increase in productivity."
   • "According to the latest data, there has been a 25% increase in output in the last quarter."

2. 2 points: One point for identifying that the author acknowledges job losses, and one point for explaining that the author claims the overall impact on the economy is positive with new jobs created in other sectors.

3. 3 points:

   • 1 point for stating whether the evidence is convincing or not.
   • 2 points for explaining why or why not. For example, the evidence is convincing because the author provides specific data (25% increase in output) to support their claim. However, the evidence could be considered not fully convincing because the author doesn't provide specific data or examples of the new jobs created in other sectors.