Claim-Evidence Writing: The Constitution
Learn to write persuasive arguments about government and the Constitution using the CER framework: Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning.
Learn
When studying history and government, it's important to support your ideas with evidence from documents. The CER framework helps you organize your arguments clearly, just like historians and civic leaders do.
Why Use CER for Social Studies?
Historians and political scientists use evidence from documents, speeches, and laws to support their arguments. Learning to write using CER helps you think critically about government and express your ideas persuasively - skills you'll use throughout your life as a citizen!
The CER Framework
What do you think?
Your answer or position on a question about government, rights, or the Constitution.
What supports it?
Specific quotes, facts, or examples from the Constitution, historical documents, or reliable sources.
Why does it matter?
Explains HOW your evidence supports your claim using civic knowledge and logical thinking.
Example: Why Checks and Balances Matter
Question: Why did the Founders include checks and balances in the Constitution?
The Founders included checks and balances in the Constitution to prevent any single branch of government from becoming too powerful and threatening citizens' freedoms.
Article I gives Congress the power to make laws, but Article II allows the President to veto them. Article III gives federal courts the power to review laws. James Madison wrote in Federalist No. 51: "If men were angels, no government would be necessary." The Founders had experienced tyranny under King George III of Britain, who held nearly absolute power.
By dividing power among three branches and giving each branch ways to limit the others, the Founders ensured that no single person or group could control everything. This system forces cooperation and compromise, which protects citizens' rights. If Congress passes an unfair law, the President can veto it. If the President takes unconstitutional action, the courts can stop it. This design came directly from the Founders' belief that power corrupts and must be distributed and checked.
Practice Writing Prompt
Question: Why is the First Amendment important for democracy?
Write a CER response explaining why the freedoms in the First Amendment matter for a democratic society.
Practice Quiz
Test your understanding of the CER framework and Constitutional concepts.
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The Claim is your position or answer to the question. It states what you believe to be true and can be supported with evidence.
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This is evidence because it contains a direct quote from the Constitution with a specific fact about what the document says.
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The three branches are Legislative (Congress), Executive (President), and Judicial (Supreme Court). These are the types of branches; the other answers name parts within branches.
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A claim states a position that can be supported with evidence. "The Bill of Rights protects individual freedoms and is essential for democracy" is a claim that can be proven with evidence. The other options are simple facts.
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Federalism is the system where power is shared between the national (federal) government and state governments. Each level has certain powers.
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Reasoning is where you explain WHY your evidence supports your claim. It connects the facts to your argument using logical thinking.
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The First Amendment protects freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government.
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Direct quotes from primary sources like the Constitution provide specific, verifiable evidence that strengthens your argument because readers can confirm the source.
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The President can veto (reject) a law passed by Congress. This is an example of checks and balances - the Executive branch checking the Legislative branch.
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A CER response requires a Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning. Personal stories are not required - evidence should come from reliable sources like the Constitution or historical documents.
Check Your Understanding
C = Claim
Your position or answer about government or the Constitution.
E = Evidence
Quotes, facts, or examples from documents and reliable sources.
R = Reasoning
Explains HOW evidence supports claim using civic knowledge.
Key Takeaways
- CER helps organize persuasive arguments about government
- Use direct quotes from the Constitution when possible
- Reasoning connects evidence to civic principles
- This framework is used on standardized tests and in civic life
Next Steps
- Practice writing CER responses about different Constitutional topics
- Read the Bill of Rights and identify key freedoms
- Complete the Unit Checkpoint to test your Constitution knowledge