Grade: Grade 5 Subject: Social Studies Unit: US History Foundations Lesson: 5 of 6 SAT: Information+Ideas ACT: Reading

Claim-Evidence Writing

Learn

Historians don't just share facts - they make claims (arguments) and support them with evidence (proof). Learning to write claims supported by evidence is an essential skill for understanding and communicating about history. In this lesson, you'll learn how to construct strong historical arguments!

What is Claim-Evidence Writing?

A claim is a statement that takes a position or makes an argument about a topic. Evidence is the facts, examples, or details that prove your claim is true. Good historical writing always connects claims to evidence!

The C-E-R Framework

Use the C-E-R framework to organize your historical writing:

C-E-R: Claim - Evidence - Reasoning
C
Claim
State your main argument or position clearly
E
Evidence
Provide specific facts, quotes, or examples
R
Reasoning
Explain how the evidence supports your claim

Example: Writing About Colonial America

Complete C-E-R Paragraph Example
CLAIM
"The Southern Colonies developed a different economy than New England because of their geography and climate."
EVIDENCE
"The Southern Colonies had warm weather, a long growing season, and rich soil. Virginia's tobacco plantations produced crops that were sold to England, while New England's rocky soil and cold winters made large-scale farming difficult."
REASONING
"This evidence shows that geographic differences led to economic differences. The South's climate allowed plantation farming, while New England colonists turned to fishing and shipbuilding instead."

Strong vs. Weak Claims

Not all claims are equally good. A strong claim is specific, arguable, and can be supported with evidence.

Weak Claims

"Colonial America was interesting."

Problem: Too vague, not arguable


"There were 13 colonies."

Problem: Just a fact, not an argument

Strong Claims

"Religious freedom was the most important reason colonists came to America."

Why it works: Specific, arguable, can be proven


"The Mayflower Compact was an important step toward democracy."

Why it works: Makes an argument that needs support

Types of Evidence

Primary Sources

Original documents from the time period: letters, diaries, laws, speeches, maps

Secondary Sources

Books and articles written by historians who studied the topic

Statistics

Numbers and data: population figures, dates, quantities

Specific Examples

Particular events, people, or places that illustrate your point

Writing Tip: Always ask yourself: "Does my evidence actually prove my claim?" If someone could use the same evidence to argue the opposite point, you might need different evidence or a clearer explanation.

Transition Words for Reasoning

Connecting Evidence to Claims

Use these phrases to explain how your evidence supports your claim:

  • "This shows that..."
  • "This evidence proves..."
  • "Because of this..."
  • "This demonstrates..."
  • "As a result..."
  • "Therefore..."

Examples

Test your understanding of claims and evidence!

Claim-Evidence Challenge Score: 0/6

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Practice

Apply what you've learned about claim-evidence writing.

1 Which statement is a CLAIM (not just a fact)?
AJamestown was founded in 1607.
BThere were 13 colonies.
CEconomic opportunity was a major reason people came to the colonies.
DThe Pilgrims arrived on the Mayflower.
2 Read this claim: "The Middle Colonies were the most diverse region." Which evidence BEST supports this claim?
AThe Middle Colonies grew wheat and corn.
BPennsylvania was founded by William Penn.
CThe Middle Colonies included people from England, Germany, the Netherlands, and other countries.
DNew York was originally called New Amsterdam.
3 What is the "R" in the C-E-R framework?
AResearch - finding more sources
BReasoning - explaining how evidence supports the claim
CRewriting - editing your paragraph
DReading - studying the topic
4 A diary written by a colonial child would be considered what type of source?
APrimary source
BSecondary source
CTertiary source
DModern source
5 Which transition phrase BEST connects evidence to a claim?
A"First of all..."
B"In my opinion..."
C"This evidence demonstrates that..."
D"Another thing is..."
6 Why is "Colonial America was interesting" a WEAK claim?
AIt is too long
BIt is too vague and cannot be argued or proven
CIt mentions Colonial America
DIt is about history
7 Read this reasoning: "This shows that colonists valued self-government." What might the evidence have been?
AThe colonies grew tobacco and rice.
BThe Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact agreeing to make fair laws together.
CColonial homes had fireplaces.
DThe colonies were located on the Atlantic coast.
8 Which is the correct order for the C-E-R framework?
AEvidence, Claim, Reasoning
BReasoning, Evidence, Claim
CClaim, Evidence, Reasoning
DClaim, Reasoning, Evidence
9 A history textbook written in 2020 about colonial times would be what type of source?
APrimary source
BSecondary source
COriginal source
DFirst-hand source
10 What makes evidence "good" for supporting a claim?
AIt is interesting
BIt directly proves or supports the specific claim being made
CIt is from a long time ago
DIt includes numbers

Check Your Understanding

Claim

A statement that makes an argument or takes a position on a topic.

Evidence

Facts, examples, quotes, or data that prove your claim.

Reasoning

Explanation of how your evidence supports your claim.

Primary Sources

Original documents from the time period being studied.

Secondary Sources

Analysis written later by historians and researchers.

Strong Claims

Specific, arguable statements that can be proven with evidence.

Key Takeaways

  • Use the C-E-R framework: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning
  • Strong claims are specific and arguable, not just facts
  • Evidence should directly support your specific claim
  • Reasoning explains the connection between evidence and claim
  • Primary sources are from the time; secondary sources are written later

Next Steps

  • Complete the Unit Checkpoint to review everything you've learned
  • Practice writing your own C-E-R paragraphs about colonial topics
  • Look for claims and evidence when reading historical texts
  • Try turning facts you know into arguable claims