Argument Structure: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning
Build stronger arguments with CER
Argument Structure: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning
Build stronger arguments with CER
Language Arts - Grade 6-8
- 1
Read the argument: Students should have at least 20 minutes of independent reading time each school day. A 2023 school survey found that students who read independently for 20 minutes a day finished more books and improved their vocabulary scores. This shows that daily reading time helps students build reading stamina and learn new words through practice. Identify the claim, evidence, and reasoning.
The claim is the main point, the evidence is the proof, and the reasoning explains how the proof supports the point.
The claim is that students should have at least 20 minutes of independent reading time each school day. The evidence is the 2023 school survey showing that students who read independently finished more books and improved their vocabulary scores. The reasoning is that daily reading time helps students build stamina and learn new words through practice. - 2
Choose the best claim for an argument about school gardens: A. Gardens are green and have plants. B. Our school should create a garden because it would support science learning and provide fresh vegetables. C. Some schools have gardens behind the gym. Explain your choice.
Choice B is the best claim because it takes a clear position and gives reasons that can be supported with evidence. Choices A and C are just statements of fact, not arguable claims. - 3
Read the sentence: According to the cafeteria manager, food waste decreased by 18 percent after the school added a share table for unopened snacks. Is this claim, evidence, or reasoning? Explain.
Evidence often includes facts, numbers, examples, observations, or quotations.
This sentence is evidence because it gives a specific fact from a source. It could support a claim about share tables reducing food waste. - 4
Sort each sentence into claim, evidence, or reasoning. 1. Middle school students should be allowed to choose one elective each semester. 2. Choice increases motivation because students are more likely to work hard in classes that match their interests. 3. In a survey of 200 students, 74 percent said they were more engaged in classes they selected.
Look for the sentence that states the argument first, then look for proof and explanation.
Sentence 1 is the claim because it states the position. Sentence 2 is the reasoning because it explains why choice could increase motivation. Sentence 3 is the evidence because it gives survey data that supports the claim. - 5
A student writes this claim: Students should get more sleep. Rewrite it to make it more specific and arguable for a school-based argument.
A stronger claim could be: Middle schools should start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. because later start times would help students get enough sleep and arrive more prepared to learn. This claim is specific, arguable, and focused on a school decision. - 6
Which evidence best supports the claim that bike lanes make streets safer? A. Many people like riding bikes on sunny days. B. A city report found that crashes involving cyclists dropped by 32 percent after protected bike lanes were installed. C. Blue is a common color for bike lane signs. Explain your answer.
Strong evidence should be relevant, specific, and credible.
Choice B is the strongest evidence because it gives specific data from a city report and directly connects bike lanes to safety. Choices A and C do not prove that bike lanes make streets safer. - 7
Read the claim and evidence. Claim: The school library should stay open for one hour after school. Evidence: Last month, 45 students reported that they did not have a quiet place to study at home. Write reasoning that connects the evidence to the claim.
The evidence supports the claim because students who lack a quiet study space at home need another place to complete homework and read. Keeping the library open after school would give those students a safe and quiet place to work. - 8
Rank these pieces of evidence from strongest to weakest for the claim that recycling bins should be placed in every classroom. A. A waste audit showed that 40 percent of classroom trash was recyclable paper. B. My friend thinks recycling bins look nice. C. The custodian said many recyclable items are thrown away during the school day. Explain your ranking.
Data from a relevant study or audit is usually stronger than a personal opinion.
The strongest evidence is A because it gives specific data from a waste audit. The next strongest is C because it comes from a person with direct experience, though it is less specific. The weakest is B because one friend's opinion does not prove that classroom recycling bins are needed. - 9
Read this weak reasoning: School uniforms are good because they are good for students. Revise it so it clearly explains how uniforms could support the claim that school uniforms reduce distractions.
A stronger reasoning statement is: School uniforms could reduce distractions because students would spend less time comparing clothing brands or worrying about outfits, which may help them focus more on classwork. - 10
Identify the counterclaim in this paragraph: Some people believe homework should be limited because students need time for family, hobbies, and rest. However, teachers should still assign a small amount of homework because practice helps students remember new skills. For example, short math practice sets can help students prepare for the next lesson.
A counterclaim is the opposite or different viewpoint that the writer responds to.
The counterclaim is that homework should be limited because students need time for family, hobbies, and rest. It presents an opposing view before the writer explains the main claim. - 11
Read the CER paragraph: Our town should add more trees along sidewalks. The city planning office reports that shaded streets can be up to 10 degrees cooler than streets without trees. Trees help lower temperatures by blocking sunlight and releasing moisture into the air, so planting them near sidewalks would make walking safer and more comfortable in hot weather. Label the claim, evidence, and reasoning.
The claim is that the town should add more trees along sidewalks. The evidence is the city planning office report that shaded streets can be up to 10 degrees cooler. The reasoning is that trees block sunlight and release moisture, which makes sidewalks safer and more comfortable in hot weather. - 12
A student wants to support this claim: School clubs help students feel connected to school. Which source would likely provide the most credible evidence? A. A research article about student belonging and extracurricular activities. B. A random comment on a gaming website. C. A poster advertising one club meeting. Explain your answer.
Credible sources are trustworthy, relevant, and based on research, expertise, or direct information.
Choice A would likely provide the most credible evidence because a research article is more reliable and directly related to student belonging and activities. Choices B and C are less reliable or less useful for proving the claim. - 13
Write one claim about whether schools should allow students to use reusable water bottles in class. Then write one piece of evidence that could support the claim.
A possible claim is: Schools should allow students to use reusable water bottles in class because staying hydrated helps students focus. A possible piece of evidence is: A school nurse reported that students are more likely to ask to leave class when they do not have water available. - 14
Read the argument: Video announcements are better than written announcements because students enjoy videos. The principal said students watched the morning video announcements more often than they read the paper bulletin. What is missing from this argument: claim, evidence, or reasoning? Explain.
If the argument has a position and proof but does not explain the connection, it is missing reasoning.
The argument is missing clear reasoning. It has a claim that video announcements are better and evidence from the principal, but it does not fully explain how watching the announcements more often makes videos a better way to communicate information. - 15
Plan a short CER response to this prompt: Should students be required to complete community service hours before eighth grade promotion? Write one claim, one piece of evidence you could use, and reasoning that connects them.
A possible response is: Students should complete a small number of community service hours before eighth grade promotion. Evidence could be that a school survey found students who volunteered reported feeling more connected to their community. The reasoning is that service gives students real experiences helping others, which can build responsibility and a stronger connection to the people around them.