Author's Claim & Supporting Evidence

What is a claim?

• To state or assert that something is the case.
• Proof that something the author is saying is true
• A fact about a topic
• The available body of facts.

What is evidence?

• Facts that prove whether a belief or proposition is true.
• Opinions that prove whether a belief or proposition is true.

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CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.6.8

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RL.6.1

A fact is...

• A statement that is true and can be proven.
• A statement that is a belief, but isn't alway true and can't be proven.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.6

An opinion is...

• A statement that is true and can be proven true.
• A statement that is a belief, but isn't always true and can't be proven true.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.6

proof, usually found directly in the text

• evidence

• opinion

• reasoning

• claim

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CCSS.RI.5.8

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.6.8

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

Which of the following is a claim the author supports in paragraph 1?
“The best things in life are free,” they say, which is true for things like libraries. However, it is not true for many museums. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, for example, costs $20 to get in.
Traveling exhibits, such as the work of a certain artist that is touring the country, almost always cost even more. People must pay to get into the museum and also pay for the special
showing. That means people who don’t have much money cannot enjoy the art.

•  Poor people cannot enjoy museums.
• Museums should not charge extra fees.
• Traveling exhibits should always be free.
• Museums need more traveling shows.

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CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.6.6

CCSS.RI.6.8

“The best things in life are free,” they say, which is true for things like libraries. However, it is not true for many museums. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, for example, costs $20 to get in.
Traveling exhibits, such as the work of a certain artist that is touring the country, almost always cost even more. People must pay to get into the museum and also pay for the special showing. That means people who don’t have much money cannot enjoy the art.
Most museums have “free days,” but these are usually only one or two days a month. If you’ve ever attended one of these, you know they are jam packed with people. It is hard to even see the exhibits when crammed into a room like sardines in a can!
The thing is, people already pay enough for the privilege of living in a city. In addition, museums are supported by arts organizations and individual donors. They do not need to charge the public a hefty sum as well. They should be free for everyone, all the time.
Which of the following evidence would support the author’s claim that“ people already pay enough for the privilege of living in a city”?

• A comparison showing which cities are the most expensive
• Examples of the fees people who live in cities must pay
• Testimony from someone who cannot afford museum admission
• An interview with someone who thinks museums should be free

Which line below is the author's claim or argument? 

• A yearbook is a special collection of memories that will be treasured by students for decades.
• However some schools authorities insist on dictating what students can include in yearbooks. 
• Teachers often remove articles & images they feel are inappropriate. 
• Authorities should not ruin this treasure by censoring yearbooks....

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CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.6.6

CCSS.RI.6.8

Other than a few earthquakes in California, the West Coast has been fairly quiet in terms of geological events. That could all change any day now, as the West Coast is overdue for a “Big
One.”
The 750-mile long area from Northern California to British Columbia is called the Cascadia “subduction zone.” That means it’s an area where one plate in the Earth’s crust slips underneath another. The “stress” or pressure on such places makes it likely that big
earthquakes will occur.
Scientists have figured out that the northern part of this zone “ruptures” about every 480 years. The southern part, in Oregon and California, does so about every 230 years. In 1700,
both parts of the zone had major earthquakes. That means a portion of the West Coast is overdue for a major quake.
There is no question that such an event is coming; the question is when and where. Scientists warn that people should always have emergency supplies on hand, to be prepared when the
“Big One” hits.
The author tries to convince readers that a big West Coast earthquake is due by

• showing the pattern of past earthquakes.
• explaining that California has had a few quakes.
• predicting what area will have an earthquake.
• urging readers to plan for a possible quake.

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CCSS.RI.6.6

CCSS.RI.6.9

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

Which of the following is NOT a claim?

• California is the best state in the USA.
• Twinkies taste better than other snack cakes because of their texture, their creamy filling, and their golden appearance.
• The school year began on August 18 and will end on June 4
• Christmas is the best holiday of the year.

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CCSS.RI.6.8

CCSS.SL.6.3