*Using Text Support - ICE

USING TEXT SUPPORT:  ICE FORMAT   rev9/18

*WHY DO I NEED TO INCLUDE TEXT EVIDENCE?

There are often multiple “correct” answers to constructed response questions.    The key is being able to support your answer.  Providing key ideas from the text helps to show that your answer is valid & based on evidence, rather than merely an opinion.

*HOW DO I DO THIS?

*Answer the question (claim/thesis).  This should be done in an introductory paragraph.  In most cases you’ll need to include the title/author, a brief overview, and then end with your claim/thesis. 

*Provide text evidence to support your claim/thesis.

Each body paragraph should include text evidence that connects back to your thesis.  Body paragraphs should start with a topic sentence that introduces the general focus of the paragraph.   Follow the topic sentence with text evidence to support your claim/thesis.   For each piece of text support you include you’ll need to do the following:

*  Introduce your first piece of text evidence.  Text evidence should never appear out of nowhere.   You can explain the context of the citation/give background.   What was going on?  Who was involved?    Some phrasing you might want to use follows here:

-At one point in the story…

-The author (use name if it’s provided) discusses…

*  Cite your text evidence.  Include a direct quote as your text evidence.   Make sure it relates to the claim/thesis. You’ll need to include an in-text citation for each piece of text support (tells the reader where the information was originally located).   The in-text citation goes in parentheses – after the quote, before the period. 

Ex.:  The author writes, “She walked over to the door, but hesitated before opening it.   What would happen once she opened it?   Would things be the same?   Either way, she had to know” (lines 23-29).

*  Explain how your text evidence supports your claim/thesis.    How does your text evidence relate back to/connect to your claim/thesis & the original question?  This should be the lengthiest section of your answer.  A strong explanation cannot usually be given in one sentence.  It can be useful to use interpretive phrasing to help begin your explanation.   Some phrasing you might want to use follows here:

-Here one can see that …

-This statement shows…

-Clearly…

-The reader can conclude from this that…

-This tells the reader that…

-From this one can understand that…

*  Include a brief conclusion.   Restate your claim/ thesis.  Summarize your main supports.

HERE’S AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT A SAMPLE ESSAY SHOULD INCLUDE:

Note:  The format of an essay will vary.   Read the question carefully to determine how to best structure your response.   

Paragraph 1/introductory paragraph: (3-5 sentences)      (1 sentence)

A – State the book title, author, brief summary, thesis (your response/position 

regarding the original question)

Intro: (4-6 sentences total)

Paragraph 2/1st body paragraph  ( 6- 10 sentences total)

Topic sentence  (1 sentence)

I - Introduce your 1st piece of text evidence (1 sentence)

C - Cite your 1st piece of text evidence (include an in-text citation) (2-4 sentences)

E - Explain your 1st piece of text evidence (2-4 sentences)

*If a 2nd piece of text support is required in a body paragraph, repeat the ICE format.

Paragraph 3/2nd body paragraph  ( 6- 10 sentences total)

Topic sentence (1 sentence)

I - Introduce your 2nd piece of text evidence (1 sentence)

C - Cite your 2nd piece of text evidence (include an in-text citation)  (2-4 sentences)

E - Explain your 2nd piece of text evidence  (2-4 sentences)

*If a 2nd piece of text support is required in a body paragraph, repeat the ICE format.

Paragraph 4/conclusion   (3 sentences total)

Include a wrap-up.  Restate your claim/thesis.  Summarize your main supports.

                                            (1 sentence)                     (2 sentences)