Grade: Grade 7 Subject: English Language Arts Unit: Research Skills Lesson: 3 of 6 SAT: Information+Ideas ACT: Reading

Text Analysis Practice

Learn

Strong researchers know how to analyze texts critically and synthesize information from multiple sources. This lesson focuses on practicing these essential skills.

Key Concepts

  • Close Reading: Examining a text carefully to understand its meaning, purpose, and techniques
  • Identifying Main Ideas: Finding the central argument or thesis in each source
  • Recognizing Supporting Evidence: Distinguishing facts, statistics, examples, and expert opinions
  • Comparing Sources: Finding similarities and differences across multiple texts
  • Synthesis: Combining information from different sources to form new understanding

The TRACE Method for Text Analysis

Use TRACE to analyze any research source:

  • T - Text: What type of text is this? (article, study, editorial, etc.)
  • R - Reader: Who is the intended audience?
  • A - Author: Who wrote this and what are their qualifications?
  • C - Context: When and where was this published? What was happening at that time?
  • E - Exigence: Why was this written? What problem or issue prompted it?

Synthesis Strategies

When combining information from multiple sources:

  1. Identify common themes across sources
  2. Note where sources agree or disagree
  3. Look for gaps in the information
  4. Consider how sources complement each other
  5. Form your own conclusions based on the evidence

Examples

Example 1: Analyzing a Source

Source Excerpt: "According to a 2024 study published in the Journal of Environmental Science, urban green spaces reduce air pollution by up to 15% in surrounding neighborhoods. The researchers, led by Dr. Maria Santos at Stanford University, measured air quality in 50 cities over three years."

TRACE Analysis:

  • Text: Scientific study summary
  • Reader: General audience interested in environment/urban planning
  • Author: Dr. Maria Santos, Stanford University researcher (credible academic source)
  • Context: Published in 2024 in a peer-reviewed journal
  • Exigence: Growing concern about urban air quality and climate change

Example 2: Synthesizing Two Sources

Source A: "Schools with longer recess periods report fewer behavioral issues and higher test scores."

Source B: "Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, improving concentration and memory retention."

Synthesis: "Research suggests that increased recess time benefits students academically. Source A shows improved test scores in schools with longer recess, while Source B explains why: physical activity enhances brain function. Together, these sources support the argument for more active breaks during the school day."

Practice

Complete the following exercises to strengthen your text analysis and synthesis skills.

Practice 1: Identify the Main Idea

Read the following passage and identify the main idea:

"While social media connects people across the globe, studies show that heavy users report higher rates of anxiety and depression. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that limiting social media to 30 minutes per day significantly reduced feelings of loneliness and depression in participants."

What is the main idea of this passage?

Practice 2: Evaluate Evidence

Which of the following provides the strongest evidence for an argument about the benefits of reading?

  1. "Many people believe reading is good for you."
  2. "A 2023 Yale study found that people who read for 30 minutes daily live an average of two years longer than non-readers."
  3. "My grandmother read every day and lived to be 95."
  4. "Reading is fun and everyone should do it more."

Practice 3: Apply TRACE

Apply the TRACE method to analyze this source:

"Blog post from GreenLivingTips.com (2022): 'Switching to LED bulbs can save the average household $225 per year on electricity bills. I made the switch last year and noticed a real difference in my monthly bills!'"

Complete a TRACE analysis for this source.

Practice 4: Compare Sources

Read these two sources about homework and identify one similarity and one difference:

Source A: "Homework reinforces classroom learning and teaches time management skills essential for college success."

Source B: "Excessive homework causes stress and reduces time for physical activity and family bonding, potentially harming student well-being."

Practice 5: Identify Bias

Which statement shows potential bias? Explain your reasoning.

  1. "The study included 500 participants from diverse backgrounds."
  2. "Our revolutionary product is clearly the best solution available."
  3. "Temperatures increased by 1.5 degrees Celsius over the study period."

Practice 6: Synthesize Information

Combine these two facts into a synthesis statement:

Fact 1: "Teen sleep deprivation is linked to lower academic performance."

Fact 2: "Schools that start after 8:30 AM see improved student attendance and grades."

Practice 7: Identify the Author's Purpose

What is the author's primary purpose in this passage?

"You simply must try the new Sunrise Cafe downtown! Their breakfast menu is incredible, the staff is friendly, and the prices are reasonable. I go there every weekend and always leave satisfied."
  1. To inform readers about breakfast options
  2. To persuade readers to visit Sunrise Cafe
  3. To explain how to make breakfast foods
  4. To compare different restaurants

Practice 8: Evaluate Source Credibility

Rank these sources from most to least credible for a research paper on climate change. Explain your ranking.

  1. A peer-reviewed article in Nature Climate Change
  2. A Wikipedia article on global warming
  3. A social media post from a climate activist
  4. A report from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

Practice 9: Find Supporting Evidence

For the claim "Exercise improves mental health," which piece of evidence provides the strongest support?

  1. "Exercise makes people feel happy."
  2. "A Harvard study found that 15 minutes of daily running reduces depression risk by 26%."
  3. "Athletes are usually in a good mood."
  4. "Exercise has been around for thousands of years."

Practice 10: Create a Synthesis

Write a 2-3 sentence synthesis using all three sources below:

Source 1: "Video games improve hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills."

Source 2: "Excessive gaming is associated with sedentary behavior and obesity."

Source 3: "Educational games have been shown to improve learning outcomes in math and science."

Check Your Understanding

Reflect on these questions to assess your learning:

  1. What are the five elements of the TRACE method?
  2. How do you determine if a source is credible?
  3. What is the difference between summarizing and synthesizing?
  4. Why is it important to compare multiple sources on a topic?
  5. How can you identify bias in a source?

Next Steps

  • Practice the TRACE method on sources you encounter in other classes
  • When reading news articles, look for potential bias and consider multiple perspectives
  • Move on to the next lesson to learn how to apply these skills in your own writing