11+ Comprehension · Topic explained
Using evidence: point, evidence, explain
Why do some answers get one mark and others get three?
The big idea
Make a point, back it with evidence, then explain how it proves it.
Picture it
Like a lawyer in court: say what happened, show the proof, explain why it proves it.
Key words
- Point
- Your answer to the question, in one clear sentence.
- Evidence
- A short quotation from the text that backs up your point.
- Explain
- How the words prove your point.
Worked examples
- 1Warm-up
"Leo grinned so widely his cheeks ached." How does Leo feel?
- P: Leo is delighted.
- E: "grinned so widely his cheeks ached"
- E: his smile is so big it hurts.
- 211+ standard
"Branches clawed at her sleeves and the trees leaned closer, whispering." How does the writer make the forest seem threatening?
- P: the forest seems to attack her.
- E: "clawed"
- E: like an animal's claws, so the forest feels alive and dangerous.
- 311+ standard
Too long: copying the whole paragraph. Better: one short quotation, such as "clawed".
- Short evidence shows you know exactly which words matter.
- 411+ standard
Weak: "This shows she is scared because it says she is scared." Strong: "'Trembling' suggests her body is shaking, so her fear is too strong to hide."
- Don't just repeat the point.
- Zoom in on one word and say what it suggests.
The common mistake
The mistake
The quotation speaks for itself, so you can stop after copying it.
Instead
Always explain how the words prove your point.
Why: The extra marks are for the explaining, not the copying.
Where it comes up in the 11+
Written questions worth 2–4 marks: "Explain how…", "Use evidence from the text."
The video
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Free printable
Using evidence: point, evidence, explain worksheet
Practice questions on this topic to print and try on paper, at home or on the way to school.
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Quick quiz
Have a go first, then tap to see the answer.
1. In point, evidence, explain, which part is the quotation?
- Point
- Evidence
- Explain
- Ending
Show the answerHide the answer
Evidence
The evidence is the short quotation from the text.
2. "Dan's hands shook as he lifted the trumpet; the hall was packed." Which quotation best shows Dan is nervous?
- the hall was packed
- Dan's hands shook
- lifted the trumpet
- the trumpet
Show the answerHide the answer
Dan's hands shook
Shaking hands are a sign of nerves; the others don't show his feelings.
3. What should the explain part do?
- Repeat the point
- Show how the words prove the point
- Copy more of the text
- Say if you liked the story
Show the answerHide the answer
Show how the words prove the point
Explaining links the quotation back to your point.