Evidence-Based Interpretation

This worksheet supports students in Grades 5, 6, and 7 as they practice writing clear, evidence-based interpretations of a literary passage. Through close reading, emotional analysis, theme identification, and focused paragraph writing, students analyze Clara’s emotional state and the broader idea suggested by the author’s language. The task emphasizes crafting a strong interpretive claim and supporting it with carefully selected textual evidence.

Skills Reinforced

• Writing Evidence-Based Interpretations (Grades 5-7) – Develop a clear interpretive claim supported by multiple pieces of textual evidence.
• Theme & Emotional Tone Analysis – Examine how word choice and imagery reveal character feelings and deeper meaning.
• Citing Textual Evidence – Select and explain the most relevant lines to support interpretation.
• Analytical Claim Construction – Write a focused 4-6 sentence paragraph that clearly connects claim, evidence, and explanation.

Instructional Support

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to align with upper elementary and middle school ELA standards.
• Structured Writing Expectation – Guides students in organizing claims, evidence, and explanation clearly.
• Close Reading Emphasis – Encourages careful attention to language, imagery, and author’s craft choices.
• Skill-Building Focus – Helps students move from observation to interpretation with confidence.
• Low-Prep Printable – Easy to use for classwork, assessment, independent practice, or homeschool instruction.

This evidence-based interpretation worksheet helps students strengthen analytical writing, close reading, and critical thinking skills. By analyzing Clara’s emotions and the theme conveyed through the author’s language, learners practice turning careful observations into meaningful interpretations supported by strong evidence. It’s a practical, writing-centered resource that builds confident readers and thinkers in both classroom and homeschool settings.

This worksheet is part of our close reading passages worksheets collection.