Writing Claim Evidence Paragraphs Connected by Reasoning Adapted

Writing Claim & Evidence Paragraphs Connected by Reasoning Adapted from: https: //www. washoeschools. net/cms/lib/NV 01912265/Centricity/Dom ain/253/Social%20 Studies/October%208%20 Argumentative%20 Writing% 20 in%20 Social%20 Studies%206 -12. pdf

Claims, Reasoning & Evidence Reasoning: Claim: a simple statement, asserts a main point of an argument (side) • “because” of an argument and explanation why a claim is made • explicit links between evidence and claim • why a piece of evidence is important to the claim and argument Evidence: support for reasoning in argument; • The “for example” aspect • Best evidence textbased, reasonable, and reliable

Evidence & Reasoning � Evidence is ALWAYS for (or against) something! ◦ Example Statistic: 74% of high school students read at a minimum of an 8 th grade level. American schools are failing! According to a new national study, 26%, or, in other words, 1 in every 4 high school students, cannot read at a 9 th grade level. If 1 in 4 people in the country had a disease, we would call it an epidemic of mass proportions!

Reasoning Matters After you introduce evidence, say why and how it supports your argument. Do not assume audience knows what you’re talking about The connection to the larger claims is what turns facts/information into evidence • They can’t read your mind: they may be familiar with your ideas, but don’t know what you’re trying to do with those ideas, unless you indicate it

Questions to Develop Reasoning Why should anyone care about this evidence? What does this information imply? I’ve just described what something is like or how I see it, but why is it like that? How is this idea related to my claim? What connections exist between them? What are the consequences of looking at a problem this way? (for evidence of a counterclaim)

Example: Reasoning Matters Today, we are too self -centered. Most families no longer sit down to eat together, preferring instead to eat on the go while rushing to the next appointment (Gleick 148). Everything is about what we want. Today, Americans are too selfcentered. Even our families don't matter as much anymore. Other people and activities take precedence. In fact, evidence shows most American families no longer eat together, preferring to eat on the go (Gleick 148). Sitdown meals are a time to share and connect with others; however, that connection has become less valued, as families begin to prize individual activities over shared time, promoting selfcenteredness over group identity. Weak use of evidence Stronger use of reasoned evidence Think, Pair, Share – What makes the left statement weak?

Practice: Reasoning Matters � Claim: Hybrid cars are an effective strategy to fight pollution. ◦ Evidence 1: Driving a private car is a typical citizen's most air polluting activity. ◦ Evidence 2: Each vehicle produced is going to stay on the road for roughly 12 to 15 years. ◦ Evidence 3: Hybrid cars combine a gasoline engine with a battery-powered electric motor. Think, Pair, Share – What reasoning could be used for each piece of evidence?

Possible Responses: Reasoning Matters � Claim: Hybrid cars are an effective strategy to fight pollution. ◦ Evidence 1: Driving a private car is a typical citizen's most air polluting activity. �Reasoning 1: Because cars are the largest source of private, as opposed to industry produced, air pollution switching to hybrid cars should have an impact on fighting pollution. ◦ Evidence 2: Each vehicle produced is going to stay on the road for roughly 12 to 15 years. �Reasoning 2: Cars generally have a long lifespan, meaning that a decision to switch to a hybrid car will make a longterm impact on pollution levels. ◦ Evidence 3: Hybrid cars combine a gasoline engine with a battery-powered electric motor. �Reasoning 3: This combination of technologies means that less carbon pollution is produced.