SALTA 5th grade

Evidence and Elaboration

Evidence and Elaboration: Elaboration means anticipating the needs of the audience to supply necessary information, context, and explanation. Elaboration is found in the evidence and elaboration domain of the USBE approved writing rubric (Grades 3-5). Students must do two things effectively in this domain: 1. Use evidence that is appropriate and sufficient, and provide evidence within an organized structure. 2. Elaborate on the evidence from the text.

Click for sample elaboration chart

Examples of Elaborative Techniques ▪ Explanation ▪ Metaphors or Similes ▪

Relationships (cause and effect, compare/contrast, etc.) ▪ Examples and reasons ▪ Drawing a conclusion *Teach the elaborative techniques that appear in your grade level reading core. Grades 1-2 may ask students to draw on these skills during oral discussion of text. What Elaboration is Not: Elaboration is not Embellishment. Embellishment is the addition of extraneous, unnecessary language or information to achieve effects other than support for a topic. Examples of embellishment may include: ▪ Information added solely for length ▪ Off-topic information or examples ▪ E xplanations that don’t add to the content ▪ Incorrect metaphors or examples

Example Evidence and Elaboration Sentence Starters:

3 rd Grade Example