CER Writing Focus
A student writes:
I think school uniforms are good because I like them.
Question: What is wrong with this claim?
It uses an “I” statement and is too personal instead of being a strong, formal claim.
Mia zipped her jacket, grabbed an umbrella, and looked out the window with a sigh.
Question: What can you infer?
It is probably raining outside.
“The desert was so arid that very few plants could grow there.”
Question: What does arid mean?
Very dry
“The classroom was a zoo.”
Question: What figurative language is used?
Metaphor
Choose the sentence with correct capitalization and punctuation.
A. my favorite author is Jason Reynolds.
B. My favorite author is Jason Reynolds.
C. My favorite Author is jason reynolds
D. my Favorite author is Jason reynolds.
B. My favorite author is Jason Reynolds.
What is a lead-in, and why do writers use it?
A lead-in is a phrase or sentence that introduces a quote or piece of evidence. Writers use it to smoothly connect the evidence to their own writing and show where the evidence comes from.
Jordan kept checking the clock during class and smiled when the teacher said, “Only five more minutes.”
Question: What can you infer?
Jordan is eager for class to end.
“Even though the hike was strenuous, the group felt proud when they reached the top.”
Question: What does strenuous mean?
Difficult or requiring a lot of effort
“The wind whispered through the trees.”
Question: What figurative language is used?
Personification
Which sentence is written correctly?
A. We went to the museum, and we saw dinosaur bones.
B. We went to the museum and, we saw dinosaur bones.
C. We went, to the museum and we saw dinosaur bones.
D. We went to the museum and we saw, dinosaur bones.
A. We went to the museum, and we saw dinosaur bones.
Claim: Reading every day helps students improve.
Evidence: Students who read often are exposed to more vocabulary.
Question: What reasoning best connects the evidence to the claim?
More vocabulary helps students become stronger readers, which supports the idea that reading every day helps students improve.
The dog paced by the door, wagged its tail, and barked softly when it heard keys jingling.
Question: What can you infer?
The dog thinks someone is about to take it outside or leave.
“The teacher tried to emphasize the importance of rereading the passage before answering.”
Question: What does emphasize mean?
To stress or show that something is important
A. stubborn
B. determined
Question: Which word has the more negative connotation?
A. stubborn
Which revision best combines these two sentences?
The book was long. It was very interesting.
A. The book was long, interesting.
B. The book was very. Interesting and long.
C. The book long and was interesting.
D. The book was long but very interesting.
D. The book was long but very interesting.
A student writes:
Claim: Recess should be longer.
Evidence: Students like recess.
Question: Why is this evidence weak?
It is too general, lacks real evidence, and does not strongly prove why recess should be longer.
After the science fair, Elena placed her ribbon in her backpack before anyone saw it. She shrugged when her friends asked how she did and said, “It was nothing.”
Question: What can you infer about Elena?
She may be proud but also shy or uncomfortable showing off.
“The coach’s speech gave the team the motivation they needed to keep practicing.”
Question: What does motivation mean?
A reason or encouragement to do something
“I’ve told you a million times.”
Question: What figurative language is used?
Hyperbole
Choose the sentence with the correct verb.
A. The group of students are reading quietly.
B. The group of students is reading quietly.
C. The group of students were reading quietly.
D. The group of students be reading quietly.
B. The group of students is reading quietly.
Claim: Schools should start later in the morning.
Evidence: Many students are tired when school begins very early.
A student writes this reasoning:
Students are tired, so schools should start later.
Question: Why is this reasoning weak, and how could it be improved?
It is weak because it mostly repeats the evidence and does not explain why tired students need a later start. A stronger response would explain that more sleep can help students focus, learn, and perform better in school.
A character says, “Sure, I’d love to spend my Saturday cleaning the garage,” while rolling their eyes.
Question: What can you infer about the speaker’s true meaning?
The speaker does not actually want to clean the garage; they are being sarcastic.
“Because the witness gave a vague answer, the reporter asked another question.”
Question: What does vague mean?
Unclear or not specific
The author describes a character as slim instead of scrawny.
Question: Why might the author choose the word slim?
Because it has a more positive connotation.
A student wrote:
When students read every day they can improve their vocabulary, comprehension, and they become better writers too.
Question: Which revision is the strongest?
A. When students read every day, they improve vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills.
B. When students read every day, they can improve their vocabulary and comprehension, and they can become better writers too.
C. Students read every day and improve their vocabulary, comprehension, and become better writers too.
D. Reading every day can improve vocabulary, comprehension, and students become better writers too.
A. When students read every day, they improve vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills.