Grade 6 · Writing and Speaking with Evidence · Claim, Evidence, Reasoning
Building a Paragraph: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning
Write one tight paragraph that states a claim, quotes evidence and explains the link.
Learning objectives
- Write a claim that can be argued
- Embed a short quotation correctly
- Explain how evidence supports a claim in your own words
Common Core ELA alignment
W.6.1
Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence, acknowledging alternate or opposing claims. Grade 6 emphasis: work with a single text or clear pairing, with teacher-modelled evidence and summary.
W.6.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection and research. Grade 6 emphasis: work with a single text or clear pairing, with teacher-modelled evidence and summary.
W.6.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to task, purpose and audience. Grade 6 emphasis: work with a single text or clear pairing, with teacher-modelled evidence and summary.
MYP criteria
- Criterion B — Organizing
- Criterion C — Producing text
- Criterion D — Using language
ENGAGE
Two answers, one mark
Answer A: The character is brave. Answer B: The narrator is braver than she admits, because she stands up while still promising herself she would stay silent. Answer B earns the marks because it makes a claim and explains evidence.
Think about it
- What does answer B do that answer A does not?
- Which words in answer B do the explaining?
EXPLAIN
The CER shape
| Part | Job | Sentence starter |
|---|---|---|
| Claim | Answer the question in one arguable sentence | The writer suggests that... |
| Evidence | Quote or cite the smallest useful piece of the text | For example, the narrator says ... |
| Reasoning | Explain how the evidence proves the claim | This matters because... |
| Link | Connect back to the question or the wider idea | Overall, the text shows that... |
Embedding a quotation
- Keep it short: three to eight words is usually enough.
- Fit it into your own sentence so the grammar still works.
- Use quotation marks and keep the original spelling.
- Never leave a quotation standing alone as its own sentence.
Common mistake
Quoting is not explaining. If your paragraph ends with the quotation, the reasoning is missing.
EXPLORE
Grade the paragraph
Student paragraph: The article is about sleep. It says melatonin comes later. Teenagers are tired. This shows school is early.
Think about it
- Which of the four CER parts are missing?
- Rewrite the paragraph so each part is present and the claim is arguable.
MYP_PRACTICE
Criterion B and C task
Question: Should schools start later? Write one CER paragraph of 120 to 150 words using at least one quotation from the Grade 6 sleep article.
- Plan your claim in one sentence before you write.
- Choose the shortest quotation that proves it.
- Spend at least three sentences on reasoning.
- Reread and delete any sentence that does not serve the claim.
EXIT_TICKET
Check yourself
Think about it
- Which part of CER is hardest for you?
- Write one claim you could argue about your school.
Interactive practice · paragraph builder
Assemble a CER paragraph
Put the four sentences in the order claim, evidence, reasoning, link.
Work through each line
Your answer
This draft stays in this tab only. Copy anything you want to keep into your learning log below.
Key vocabulary
- Claim
- An arguable statement you will prove.
- Evidence
- A quotation, fact or example taken from a source.
- Reasoning
- Your explanation of how the evidence proves the claim.
- Embedded quotation
- A quotation woven into your own sentence.
Practice questions
0/2 correct
Level 1 · Criterion B
Which sentence is an arguable claim?
Level 2 · Criterion D
Which quotation is embedded correctly?
MYP criterion tasks
Level 3 · Criterion C
Improve the student paragraph in the Explore section into a full CER paragraph.
Reflect & track
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