Justifying Your Views
English: Year 5 & 6 National Curriculum, topic 1.9.1
Justifying Your Views
Being able to justify your views with evidence from the text is important because it shows that you have understood what you have read.
Good example
- What do you think is happening in this passage?
- 'He clasped the small square of paper so hard that it formed a concertina around his thumb. He had never received a better birthday present in all twelve years of his life. He knew the old man had heard him practising relentlessly, but to be recognised in this way made his chest tingle.'
Bad example
- What do you think is happening in this passage?
- I think that the boy got a cinema ticket for his favourite film from his dad for his birthday.
Good example answers
- I think that the boy has received an invitation to play in a music concert from an old man who heard how good he was while practising.
- I think it is a music concert because it says 'the old man had heard him practising relentlessly'.
Another good answer
- I think it is important because the boy clasped the paper 'so hard' and felt his 'chest tingle'.
- Which suggests that he is excited, proud, and values the opportunity.'
Test yourself on Justifying Your Views
What evidence is there that the boy is upset in the following text?
'The boy went to the cinema with his friends. He didn't enjoy the film, but his friends did enjoy the film a lot. He wasn't able to because he was not in the mood. At first, his friends hadn't noticed anything. But after leaving the cinema, the boy's friends were very worried about him. When they all went home, the boy went to his room and sat on the floor to cry.'