Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

How can students use evidence from nonfiction texts effectively?

1. By summarizing the entire text

2. By writing a book review

3. By using T-charts for opinions, predictions, and text evidence

4. By paraphrasing the text

The correct answer is: By summarizing the entire text

The most effective way for students to use evidence from nonfiction texts is by employing T-charts to organize their opinions, predictions, and the corresponding text evidence. This method encourages critical thinking by helping students visually align their thoughts with specific evidence from the text. It allows for a clear comparison and deepens their understanding of how the information supports or challenges their viewpoints. While summarizing the entire text provides an overview, it does not foster a direct connection between personal insights and textual evidence as effectively as the T-chart approach. Similarly, writing a book review focuses more on overall impressions rather than the analytical use of specific evidence, and paraphrasing simplifies the content without necessarily linking personal interpretation to original text. Using T-charts not only streamlines the process of analyzing and utilizing evidence but also enhances comprehension and retention of the material by actively engaging with the text.