Claim-Evidence Writing: US Geography
Example
Question: How do physical features affect where people live in the US?
Claim: Physical features affect where Americans live because people settle near water sources and avoid extreme terrain.
Evidence: Many large US cities are built along rivers or coasts. New York City is on the Atlantic coast, Chicago is on Lake Michigan, and New Orleans is on the Mississippi River. Fewer people live in mountain ranges like the Rockies or in desert regions like Death Valley.
Explain: This shows that people need water for drinking, farming, and transportation, so they build cities near water. Mountains and deserts make travel and farming difficult, so fewer people live there.
Practice Questions
1. Which is the best CLAIM about US geography?
A) The US is a country
B) Rivers helped cities grow because they provided water and transportation
C) I like mountains
D) Maps are useful
Answer
B) - This is a specific claim that can be supported with evidence.
2. Which is good EVIDENCE for "Mountains affect climate"?
A) Mountains are tall
B) The western side of the Rockies gets more rain than the eastern side
C) I visited a mountain once
D) Mountains look nice
Answer
B) - This is a specific fact that supports how mountains affect climate.
3. "Many large cities are near rivers" is:
A) A claim
B) Evidence
C) An explanation
D) A question
Answer
B) Evidence - This is a fact that can support a claim about settlement patterns.
4. What should the "explain" part of your writing do?
A) Repeat the claim
B) Add new evidence
C) Show how the evidence supports the claim
D) Change the topic
Answer
C) - The explanation connects your evidence to your claim.
5. "This shows that..." is a good way to start:
A) A claim
B) Evidence
C) An explanation
D) A title
Answer
C) An explanation - It connects your evidence to the claim.
6. Which evidence best supports "The US has diverse landscapes"?
A) The US is big
B) The US includes mountains, plains, deserts, forests, and coastlines
C) Some states are large
D) Maps show the US
Answer
B) - This lists specific diverse landscapes as evidence.
7. How many pieces of evidence should you include?
A) 0
B) 1
C) 2-3
D) 20
Answer
C) 2-3 - Multiple pieces of evidence make your argument stronger.
8. "For example, Chicago grew because..." is introducing:
A) A claim
B) Evidence
C) A new topic
D) A question
Answer
B) Evidence - "For example" introduces specific facts.
9. A good social studies claim should be:
A) A simple fact everyone knows
B) Something that can be supported with evidence
C) Your favorite opinion
D) A question
Answer
B) - Good claims are supportable with specific evidence.
10. Why is evidence important in social studies writing?
A) It makes writing longer
B) It proves your claim with facts
C) Teachers require it
D) It's not important
Answer
B) - Evidence uses facts to support and prove your argument.
Your Turn!
Write a claim-evidence paragraph for this question:
"Why is the Mississippi River important to the United States?"
- Claim: The Mississippi River is important because...
- Evidence: Give 2-3 specific facts
- Explain: Show how your evidence proves your claim
Next Steps
- Practice writing claims about geography topics
- Find evidence in your textbook or online maps
- Continue to the Unit Checkpoint