Claim-Evidence Writing: Government Basics
Example
Question: Why does the US have three branches of government?
Claim: The US has three branches of government to prevent any one group from having too much power.
Evidence: The Constitution creates "checks and balances" between branches. For example, Congress makes laws, but the President can veto them. The Supreme Court can rule laws unconstitutional. Each branch watches the others.
Explain: This shows that the Founders designed the system so no single branch could become too powerful, like a king. By sharing power and checking each other, the branches protect citizens' freedom.
Practice Questions
1. Which is the best CLAIM about the President?
A) The President lives in the White House
B) The President leads the executive branch and enforces laws
C) Presidents can be anyone
D) The President is powerful
Answer
B) - This makes a specific claim about the President's role.
2. Which is good EVIDENCE for "checks and balances work"?
A) The government is big
B) The Supreme Court has overturned laws that violate the Constitution
C) There are three branches
D) The President is elected
Answer
B) - This gives a specific example of one branch checking another.
3. "Congress can reject the President's choices for judges" is:
A) A claim
B) Evidence
C) An explanation
D) A question
Answer
B) Evidence - This is a specific fact about checks and balances.
4. What should your explanation show?
A) New facts
B) How your evidence proves your claim
C) Your opinion about the President
D) The names of all Supreme Court justices
Answer
B) - The explanation connects evidence to your claim.
5. "This demonstrates that..." is a good way to start:
A) A claim
B) Evidence
C) An explanation
D) A title
Answer
C) An explanation - It shows how evidence supports your claim.
6. Which evidence supports "voting is important"?
A) Elections happen in November
B) Voting allows citizens to choose their leaders and influence laws
C) Not everyone votes
D) Voting booths are private
Answer
B) - This shows WHY voting matters.
7. A good civic claim should be:
A) Just a fact everyone knows
B) Something that can be supported with evidence
C) Very short
D) A question
Answer
B) - Good claims can be backed up with specific evidence.
8. "For instance, local government..." introduces:
A) A claim
B) A specific example (evidence)
C) A conclusion
D) A question
Answer
B) - "For instance" introduces a specific example.
9. Why use evidence from the Constitution?
A) It's a primary source that defines how government works
B) It's old
C) Teachers require it
D) It's not useful
Answer
A) - The Constitution is the authoritative source for US government structure.
10. A complete civic writing paragraph needs:
A) Just a claim
B) Just evidence
C) Claim, evidence, and explanation
D) Only questions
Answer
C) - All three parts make a complete argument.
Your Turn!
Write about this question:
"Why is it important for citizens to follow laws?"
- Claim: Following laws is important because...
- Evidence: Give 2-3 specific examples
- Explain: Show how your evidence supports your claim
Next Steps
- Practice writing about local government
- Find evidence in news articles about government actions
- Continue to the Unit Checkpoint