Language Arts: Evaluating Claims and Evidence

Read the argument: Students should be allowed to bring reusable water bottles to class because staying hydrated can help people concentrate. Identify the claim.

Read the claim: Our school should start a homework club after school. Which piece of evidence best supports the claim? A. Many students like sports. B. A survey found that 58 percent of students sometimes need help finishing homework. C. The cafeteria serves lunch at noon. D. The school colors are blue and white.

Read the evidence: My cousin said the new history textbook is boring. Does this evidence strongly support the claim that the textbook should be replaced for all students? Explain.

Read the claim: The city should add more bike lanes. Read the evidence: In a city transportation report, 42 percent of residents said they would bike more often if streets felt safer. Is the evidence relevant? Explain.

Read the claim: Middle school students should get more time for lunch. Write one piece of evidence that would support this claim.

Read the argument: Reading fiction improves empathy because a university study found that people who regularly read stories often score higher on tests that measure understanding others' feelings. Is this evidence credible? Explain.

Read the claim: The school should ban all homework. Read the evidence: Homework can be stressful for some students. Is the evidence sufficient to prove the claim? Explain.

Read the evidence: According to the school librarian, books checked out during lunch increased by 30 percent after the library added new graphic novels. What claim does this evidence best support?

Read the claim: All students learn better when listening to music. Read the evidence: Three students in my class said music helps them focus. Identify one weakness in the claim or evidence.

Read the claim: Schools should use more digital textbooks. Which evidence is stronger? A. Digital textbooks are cool and modern. B. Digital textbooks can be updated quickly, and a district report showed they reduced replacement costs by 20 percent. Explain your choice.

Read the argument: Our town should plant more trees because trees can provide shade, improve air quality, and help reduce heat in neighborhoods. What type of evidence would make this argument stronger?

Read the claim: The school should start classes one hour later. Read the evidence: A sleep research organization reports that many teenagers need 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night, and later start times can help students get more sleep. Evaluate how well the evidence supports the claim.