Book excerpt: At heart, learning to read and write analytically is learning to think well For Evidence-Based Writing: Nonfiction, renowned teacher Leslie Blauman combed the standards and her classroom bookshelves to craft lessons that use the best nonfiction picture books, biographies, and article excerpts to make writing about reading a clear, concrete process. Students learn to analyze and cite evidence about main idea, point of view, visuals, and words and structure. And best of all, your students gain a confidence in responding to complex texts and ideas that will serve them well in school, on tests, and in any situation when they are asked: What are you basing that on? Show me how you know.