Evaluating the Passages Before You Choose

It is tempting to start typing the moment the clock starts. But the strongest essays begin with a quiet decision made before a single sentence is written. That decision is which passage argues its case better — and you can only make it by reading both sides with a critical eye.

Evaluating the passages means reading both arguments and judging which one is backed by stronger evidence, before you commit to writing about it. You are not choosing the side you like; you are choosing the side whose author proves the point more convincingly with facts, examples, and sound reasoning.

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Read Both Sides First

Read each passage all the way through before deciding anything. As you read, ask a simple question of every claim: What backs this up? Strong support looks like facts, statistics, expert testimony, real examples, and clear cause-and-effect reasoning. Weak support looks like emotional appeals, vague statements, name-calling, or claims with nothing behind them. Notice, too, when an author overstates (“everyone knows,” “this will destroy”). By the time you finish both passages, you should be able to say which author leaned on real evidence and which leaned on feelings. That comparison — not your own opinion — is what tells you which side to write about. Resist the urge to pick the side you happen to agree with; the better-argued side may be one you personally dislike.

Weigh, Then Choose

Once you have read both, hold the two arguments side by side. Which passage has more evidence? Which uses stronger kinds of evidence? Which reasons more carefully and admits fewer holes? A quick way to decide is to jot the main pieces of support from each side and compare the two lists. Usually one side is clearly better supported, and that is the side you argue is stronger. Making this choice deliberately, in the first few minutes, saves you from the worst mistake on this essay: getting halfway through and realizing the other side was easier to defend. Choose once, choose on evidence, and then commit fully to explaining why that side wins.

Watch: A Short Video Lesson

ProLiteracy gives a clear overview to go with this lesson:

A Routine for Evaluating the Passages

1. Read both passages fully before choosing a side.
2. Ask of each claim: what evidence backs this up?
3. Note strong support (facts, examples) versus weak support (emotion, vagueness).
4. Choose the better-supported side, not the one you prefer.

Practice

1. What should you do before deciding which side to write about?
2. What question should you ask of every claim?
3. Name two kinds of strong support.
4. Name two signs of weak support.
5. Should you choose the side you agree with? Why or why not?
6. What mistake does choosing early help you avoid?

Answers

1. Read both passages fully and weigh their evidence.
2. What backs this claim up?
3. Any two: facts, statistics, expert testimony, examples, sound reasoning.
4. Any two: emotional appeals, vague statements, name-calling, unsupported claims.
5. No — choose the better-supported side, not your favorite.
6. Getting halfway through before realizing the other side was easier to defend.

Where This Fits in Your RLA Prep

Sharpen your eye for support in finding text evidence, then turn your choice into a clear statement with writing a focused thesis. See every topic on the Language Arts Prep Hub.

Recommended Prep Books

Keep building momentum with a full study guide and practice tests:

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