Claim and Evidence Writing
Learn
When we learn about history, we need to share what we discover. We do this by making claims and supporting them with evidence.
What is a Claim?
A claim is a statement that answers a question or tells what you think is true. A good claim:
- Answers the question you are asked
- Says something specific, not too general
- Can be proven with facts
What is Evidence?
Evidence is the proof that shows your claim is true. Evidence comes from sources like:
- Pictures and photographs
- Words from books or articles
- Data from charts and tables
- Information from maps and timelines
Putting Claim and Evidence Together
A good answer has both parts:
- State your claim - Tell what you think is true
- Give your evidence - Show the proof from a source
- Explain - Tell how the evidence supports your claim
Sentence Starters for Evidence
Try using these phrases when you share evidence:
- "The picture shows..."
- "According to the timeline..."
- "The data tells us..."
- "We can see that..."
- "This proves that..."
Examples
Example 1: Using a Photo as Evidence
Question: How did children travel to school long ago?
Claim: Children walked to school long ago.
Evidence: The old photograph shows children walking on a dirt road with their school books. There are no buses or cars in the picture.
Explanation: This proves that children walked because the picture shows them traveling on foot, not in vehicles.
Example 2: Using a Timeline as Evidence
Question: Did the town grow over time?
Claim: Yes, the town grew bigger over time.
Evidence: According to the timeline, the town had 100 people in 1900, 500 people in 1950, and 2,000 people in 2000.
Explanation: The numbers got bigger each time, which shows the town was growing.
Example 3: Using a Map as Evidence
Question: How did the neighborhood change?
Claim: The neighborhood added new buildings for the community.
Evidence: The 1960 map shows only houses. The 2020 map shows houses plus a library, a school, and a park.
Explanation: This proves new buildings were added because they appear on the new map but not the old one.
Practice
Practice making claims and finding evidence.
1. What is a claim?
Think: It answers a question and tells what you think is true.
2. What is evidence?
Think: It is the proof that shows your claim is true.
3. A photo shows people using horses instead of cars. Write a claim about how people traveled long ago.
Start with: "Long ago, people..."
4. Which is a claim: "The photo is old" or "People wore different clothes long ago because styles change over time"?
Think: Which one makes a clear statement that can be proven?
5. A timeline shows: 1910 - First telephone, 1960 - First TV, 2000 - First computer. What claim can you make about technology?
Think: What pattern do you see?
6. Name two types of sources you can use as evidence.
Think: Photos, maps, timelines, books, charts...
7. Fill in the blank: "According to the _____, there were only 50 students in 1950."
Think: What type of source shows numbers over time?
8. Why is it important to give evidence when you make a claim?
Think: How does evidence help others believe you?
9. A map from 1900 shows no roads. A map from 2000 shows many roads. What is a claim you can make? What is your evidence?
Think: What changed? Use the maps as proof.
10. Write a complete answer with a claim and evidence: "Did your school change over the years?" (Imagine your school has old photos.)
Remember: State your claim, give evidence, and explain.
Check Your Understanding
Can you answer these questions about claims and evidence?
- Can you explain the difference between a claim and evidence?
- Can you write a claim that answers a question?
- Can you find evidence from a source (photo, map, timeline, or chart)?
- Can you use sentence starters to share your evidence?
Next Steps
- Practice writing claims and finding evidence in other subjects too
- Look for evidence in books you read at home
- Continue to the Unit Checkpoint to review everything you learned