Claim and Evidence Writing
Learn
Good writers share their ideas AND explain WHY they think that way. This is called using a claim and evidence!
What is a Claim?
A claim is a sentence that tells what you think or believe. It is your main idea.
- Example claim: "Water is a need."
- Example claim: "Toys are wants."
- Example claim: "Food is more important than video games."
What is Evidence?
Evidence is information that supports your claim. It explains WHY your claim is true. Evidence can come from:
- Facts: Things that are true for everyone
- Examples: Real things you have seen or learned about
- Reasons: Explanations of why something makes sense
How to Write a Claim with Evidence
Follow these steps:
- Write your claim: What do you want to say about needs or wants?
- Add the word "because": This connects your claim to your evidence.
- Give your evidence: Explain WHY your claim is true.
Sentence Starters
Use these helpful sentence starters:
- "I think ___ is a need because ___."
- "___ is a want because ___."
- "This shows that ___ because ___."
- "The evidence tells me ___ because ___."
Examples
Example 1: Claim About a Need
Claim: Shelter is a need.
Evidence: Because people need a safe place to stay warm, dry, and protected from weather.
Full sentence: "Shelter is a need because people need a safe place to stay warm, dry, and protected from weather."
Example 2: Claim About a Want
Claim: A bicycle is a want.
Evidence: Because you can walk to get places, so you do not HAVE to have a bicycle to survive.
Full sentence: "A bicycle is a want because you can walk to get places, so you do not have to have a bicycle to survive."
Example 3: Comparing Needs and Wants
Claim: Needs are more important than wants.
Evidence: Because we cannot live without food, water, and shelter, but we can live without toys and games.
Full sentence: "Needs are more important than wants because we cannot live without food, water, and shelter, but we can live without toys and games."
Example 4: Using Evidence from a Picture
Picture: A chart showing a family spent $100 on groceries and $20 on candy.
Claim: The family spent more money on needs than wants.
Evidence: Because the chart shows they spent $100 on groceries (a need) and only $20 on candy (a want).
Full sentence: "The family spent more money on needs than wants because the chart shows they spent $100 on groceries, which is a need, and only $20 on candy, which is a want."
Practice
Practice writing claims with evidence about needs and wants.
1. What is a claim?
Think about what a claim tells the reader.
2. What is evidence?
Think about how evidence helps your claim.
3. Finish this sentence: "Water is a need because ___."
4. Finish this sentence: "A stuffed animal is a want because ___."
5. Write a claim about food. Then add evidence using the word "because."
6. Read this sentence: "Clothing is a need." Is this a claim or evidence? How do you know?
7. Read this sentence: "Because people need clothes to stay warm and protected." Is this a claim or evidence? How do you know?
8. Look at this list: bread, milk, toy car, blanket, video game. Choose ONE item. Write a claim telling if it is a need or want, and give evidence.
9. A friend says: "I need a new skateboard!" Do you agree that a skateboard is a need? Write a sentence with your claim and evidence.
10. Imagine you see a map with many grocery stores. Write a claim about why there are many grocery stores, and give evidence from what you know about needs.
11. Write TWO sentences about shelter: one that is just a claim, and one that is a claim with evidence.
12. A chart shows that children picked "pizza" as their favorite food more than "broccoli." Write a claim about this and support it with evidence from the chart.
Check Your Understanding
Answer these questions to make sure you understand claims and evidence.
Question 1: What word helps connect a claim to evidence?
Show Answer
The word "because" helps connect a claim to evidence. It shows WHY your claim is true.
Question 2: Which part tells what you think: the claim or the evidence?
Show Answer
The CLAIM tells what you think. The EVIDENCE explains why you think it.
Question 3: Why is it important to give evidence when you write?
Show Answer
Evidence is important because it shows that your idea makes sense. It helps other people understand WHY you think something is true. Without evidence, people might not believe your claim.
Next Steps
- Practice using "because" when you talk about needs and wants
- Look for claims and evidence when adults talk or when you read books
- Try writing claims about other topics you are learning
- Move on to the Unit Checkpoint to review everything you learned!