Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning
Grade 8th Grade · ELA · 45 min
What's Included
Learning Objective
I can construct an argument using a claim, evidence, and reasoning.
Reading Passage
Building Strong Arguments
Have you ever tried to convince someone of something? Whether you’re arguing for a later bedtime or explaining why your favorite sports team is the best, you’re making an argument. A strong argument has three key parts: a claim, evidence, and reasoning.
The claim is your main point — what you’re trying to prove. It should be clear and focused. For example, "Chocolate ice cream is the best flavor."
Evidence is the information that supports your claim. This could be facts, statistics, examples, or observations. Let’s say you surveyed 100 people, and 70 of them said they prefer chocolate ice cream. That survey result is evidence.
Reasoning explains how the evidence connects to your claim. It’s the "why" behind your argument. In our example, you might reason that because a majority of people prefer chocolate, it is objectively the best flavor. Your reasoning shows why the evidence is relevant and convincing.
So, next time you want to persuade someone, remember to make a clear claim, back it up with solid evidence, and explain your reasoning. This will make your arguments much stronger!
Guided Notes
3 key concepts
- 1
A strong argument consists of a claim, evidence, and reasoning.
- 2
The claim is the main point you are trying to make, and the evidence supports your claim with facts or examples.
- 3
Reasoning explains how the evidence connects to your claim, showing why the evidence is relevant and convincing.
Practice Questions
7 questions · Multiple choice & Short answer
Exit Ticket
Quick comprehension check
“Write a paragraph arguing whether or not school uniforms should be required. Include a claim, evidence, and reasoning to support your argument.”
Complete Lesson Package
Get all 3 ready-to-use resources:
