Whole and part
Many texts have a whole (the big idea) and parts (the small pieces that support it). To read well, first find the whole, then check how each part is linked to it.
If a part does not help the whole, it is out of place.
A claim and its examples
A claim is a statement the writer wants you to accept, such as "reading helps us learn". An example is a real case that shows the claim is true.
Good examples are specific (a named person or place), true and about the claim. One example is a start; two or three are stronger. Look for signposts like for example and such as.
A claim with no example is only an opinion. An example with no claim is only a story.
How characters are set up
A writer sets up a character by giving us pieces of information. The main pieces are:
- Words: what the character says and how.
- Actions: what the character does when it is hard.
- Looks and habits: face, clothes, the way of standing or walking.
- Setting: where and when the character lives, which shapes the person.
- What others say: how other people talk about the character.
A good writer shows, not tells. Instead of writing "Mina was brave", the writer lets Mina walk the dark path alone.
Try it: build your own
Try it. Write the claim "My school is a friendly place" and give it two real examples from your day. Then pick someone you know and write the line "He is funny" with three parts: one thing he says, one thing he does, one thing others say about him. In the 3D, press the top button to move between the claim and the character, and check that each part points to the whole.
Key formulas and definitions
- Whole = claim (or character)
- Parts = examples (or says, does, looks, place)
- Good example = specific + true + about the claim
- Show, do not tell
Worked examples
1. Claim: "Our town has become cleaner." Which is a better example: (a) "Cleaning is important" or (b) "The market now has 12 dustbins and a weekly clean-up"?
(b). It is specific and shows the town is cleaner. (a) is a general statement and does not prove the claim.
2. A story says: "Ravi always arrived early, tied his shoes twice, and checked his bag three times." What character trait do these actions suggest?
Ravi is careful (or very organised). The writer shows it through his actions without using the word.
3. Claim: "Dogs are loyal." Example given: "Cats like to sleep." Does the example fit? Fix it.
No, it is about cats and sleeping, not dogs and loyalty. A fitting example: a dog waits at the station every evening for its owner.
Common mistakes
- Giving an example that is about a different topic, so it does not support the claim.
- Telling the trait ("he was kind") without any action or words to show it.
- Using a general example such as "many people" instead of a specific one.
- Using only one part (only looks) and forgetting words, actions and setting.