Developing and supporting arguments Chapter Notes | Language Arts for Grade 5 PDF Download

Introduction

Distinguish Facts from Opinions

• A fact is something true that can be proven with evidence:
  • Facts are based on real information, like numbers, dates, or events.
    • Example: The sun rises in the morning.
  • You can check facts by looking at trusted sources, like books or websites.
• An opinion is what someone thinks or feels about something:
  • Opinions cannot be proven because they depend on a person’s thoughts.
    • Example: Chocolate ice cream is the best flavor.
  • Words like "best," "worst," "should," or "beautiful" often show opinions.
• To tell the difference, ask: Can this be proven, or is it someone’s belief?
  • If it can be proven, it’s a fact.
  • If it’s about feelings or thoughts, it’s an opinion.

Knowing facts from opinions helps you understand what is true and what is someone’s view.

Author's Statement of Opinion

• An author’s opinion is what they believe about a topic in their writing:
  • It shows how the author feels or what they think is true.
    • Example: In a story, the author might write, “Summer is the most fun season.”
• Look for words that show feelings, like "great," "terrible," "should," or "must."
  • These words often mean the author is sharing their opinion.
  • Not all sentences in a text are opinions; some are facts.
• Find the opinion by reading carefully and thinking about the author’s message:
  • Ask: What does the author want me to think or feel?
  • Check if the sentence can be proven or if it’s the author’s belief.
  • Understanding the author’s opinion helps you know their point of view.

Practice by reading a paragraph and finding the sentence that shows the author’s opinion.

Choose Reasons to Support an Opinion

• An opinion needs reasons to explain why you think it’s true:
  • Reasons are like answers to the question “Why do you think that?”
    • Example: Opinion: “Dogs are great pets.” Reason: “They are loyal and friendly.”
• Good reasons are clear and make your opinion stronger:
  • Choose reasons that make sense and connect to your opinion.
  • Avoid reasons that are weak or don’t explain your opinion well.
• Think of at least two or three reasons to support your opinion:
  • Example: Opinion: “Reading is fun.” Reasons: “You can learn new things, imagine exciting stories, and it helps you relax.”
  • Each reason should add something new to explain your opinion.
  • This helps you share your ideas clearly with others.

Practice by writing an opinion and listing reasons that support it:

Supporting Details in Literary Texts

• Literary texts are stories, like books, poems, or plays:
  • They often have characters, settings, and events.
  • Supporting details are pieces of information that explain the main idea or opinion in the story.
• Look for details that help you understand the story’s message or the author’s opinion:
  • Example: In a story, the main idea might be “Courage is important.” A supporting detail could be “The character faced their fear to save a friend.”
  • Details can describe actions, feelings, or events in the story.
• Find supporting details by reading the story and asking: What helps explain the main idea?
  • Look for examples, descriptions, or events that connect to the main point.
  • These details make the story’s message stronger and clearer.
  • This helps you understand the story better and see how the author makes their point.

Practice by reading a short story and listing details that support the main idea.

Supporting Details in Informational Texts

• Informational texts give facts, like articles, reports, or nonfiction books:
  • They teach you about real things, like animals, history, or science.
  • Supporting details are facts or examples that explain the main idea or topic.
• Look for details that give more information about the main idea:
  • Example: Main idea: “Recycling helps the environment.” Supporting detail: “Recycling saves trees by reducing the need for new paper.”
  • Details can be facts, numbers, examples, or explanations.
• Find supporting details by reading the text and asking: What facts or examples explain the main point?
  • Check for numbers, dates, or specific examples that support the idea.
  • These details make the main idea easier to understand and believe.
  • This helps you learn how facts are used to explain ideas in nonfiction texts.

Practice by reading an article and listing details that support the main idea.