Identifying Claims
What is the claim in the following passage?
Schools should not have a dress code. Most schools do have one, but most students disapprove of them. Does your school have one?
ANSWER: Schools should not have a dress code.
What is at least 1 reason the author uses to support their claim in the following sentence?
According to Time Magazine, more households have dogs than cats. However, cats make a much better pet than dogs. They are low maintenance, don't need to go outside, and keep to themselves.
ANSWER: They are low maintenance, don't need to go outside, and keep to themselves.
What is the evidence the author uses to support their argument in the following passage?
California is the best state in the country! We have oceans, warm weather, and lots of national parks.
ANSWER: The author gives reasons: "We have oceans, warm weather, and lots of national parks."
ANSWER: The author's opinion, reasons, & evidence
What is the claim in the following passage?
According to Time Magazine, more households have dogs than cats. However, cats make a much better pet than dogs. They are low maintenance, don't need to go outside, and keep to themselves.
A. According to Time Magazine, more households have dogs than cats
B. However, cats make a much better pet than dogs.
C. They are low maintenance, don't need to go outside, and keep to themselves.
D. Cats are expensive pets.
ANSWER: B. However, cats make a much better pet than dogs.
What are 2 of the reasons the author uses to support their claim in the following passage?
Students should not have homework because they spend enough time working in school, need time for friends, and most likely won't do their homework anyways. Homework needs to go!
ANSWER: Students spend enough time working in school, need time for friends, and most likely won't do their homework anyways.
Does this passage contain any evidence?
Cheddar Ball is the best cat in the world...no cat can compare!
ANSWER: There is no evidence in the passage.
Fill in the blank using our learning target.
I can determine the authors argument in order to describe how an author uses ____ & ____ to support specific points in a text.
ANSWER: Reasons & Evidence
True or False. The author is against Hydroflasks?
Have you ever been outside when it's 110 degrees? If you have, you know you could probably cook an egg on the sidewalk. Also, you know it's almost impossible to keep ice from melting...or so you thought! Hydroflasks make a great alternative to traditional waterbottles and are perfect for 110 degree weather. Rush to the store and get one now!
ANSWER: FALSE The author is for Hydroflasks.
What are the 3 reasons why the author believes Hydroflasks are better than plastic water bottles?
Who doesn't have a Hydroflask these days? They are very beneficial for people who live in hot temperatures. They are better than plastic water bottles because they keep your drink cold for 24 hours. Also, water bottles are bad for the environment if people don't recycle them. Lastly, Hydroflasks can last years, and won't break very easily.
ANSWER: Hydroflasks are beneficial for people who live in hot temperatures, they keep your drink cold for 24 hours, they are better for the environment, and they won't break easily.
What textual evidence does the author use in the following passage?
Desktop computers are a thing of the past. They take up too much space and are not easy to transport. According to a survey conducted in 2018, "90% of households have a laptop, but not a desktop computer" (Microsoft). This just shows desktop computers are a thing of the past!
ANSWER: "According to a survey conducted in 2018, '90% of households have a laptop, but not a desktop computer' (Microsoft). "
True or False?
When identifying the author's claim we have to first identify OUR OWN opinion.
ANSWER: False. We have to identify the AUTHOR'S opinion
Identify the claim and reasons in the following passage.
Have you seen the show "Toddlers & Tiaras"? It follows the lives of parents who decide to put their young children in beauty pageants. The toddlers often wear makeup and have a really disrespectful attitude. Toddlers should not be in beauty pageants because it can be dangerous, is not age appropriate, and does not teach them any valuable life skills.
ANSWER: Toddlers should not be in beauty pageants because it can be dangerous, is not age appropriate, and does not teach them any valuable life skills.
What reason does the author use to support his or her claim?
Exploring space is one of the most important things the United States can do. But why? For one reason, the work of getting people and machines into space leads to new technologies. Some of these new technologies then become available to everyone and improve their lives. Do you need examples? Then try these: Because of the space program of the 1960s and 1970s, we have digital clocks, laser surgery, and instant foods. And these new technologies have broader effects on society. They help create new businesses, which then make new jobs, a richer population, and a stronger economy.
ANSWER: For one reason, the work of getting people and machines into space leads to new technologies.
Which detail from the passage supports the author's reason? What is the evidence?
But there is a second and more important reason for exploring space, and it has nothing to do with money. It’s called the need to discover. Human beings are naturally curious. We want to know what’s out there. If it’s at the top of a mountain, or across a river, or at the bottom of the sea, we want to see it and touch it.
ANSWER: . Human beings are naturally curious. We want to know what’s out there.
What is the author’s claim?
While class pets can be great, they can also come with some downsides. For instance, class pets can be a huge distraction to students especially those students with attention and focusing difficulty. Class pets can distract students from completing their work and being attentive during lessons. Furthermore, class pets can make frequent noises during instructional time which is an added distraction for all students.
A. Furthermore, class pets can make frequent noises during instructional time which is an added distraction for all students.
B. For instance, class pets can be a huge distraction to students especially those students with attention and focusing difficulty.
C. While class pets can be great, they can also come with some downsides.
D. Class pets are awesome!
ANSWER: C. While class pets can be great, they can also come with some downsides.
What is the author's argument (opinion) in the passage below?
Social media places outrageous expectations on preteens. Seeing posts from celebrities makes them feel as if they have to be perfect and "have it all together". Also, social media makes preteens want to grow up too quickly. They want to look and act a certain age, just like their favorite Tik-Tok or Youtube stars. Social media is not good for preteens!
ANSWER: Social media is not good for preteens
What are the 3 reasons the author believes video games are good for preteens?
Video games are valuable to preteens. Some games teach preteens how to work on a team. Also, some video games are educational...how can educational games be harmful?? Lastly, video games are valuable because they give preteens a break from schoolwork.
ANSWER: Video games are valuable to preteens because they teach them how to work on a team, are sometimes educational, and give preteens a break from schoolwork.
What evidence does the author use to support their claim?
Masks are beneficial to students at school. My partner in Science caught Covid two weeks ago, which forced me to quaratine for 10 days. Although I sat right next to her everyday, I never caught the virus. I'm very relieved!
ANSWER: Although I sat right next to her everyday, I never caught the virus.
What could be a possible counterargument (an opposite argument) for the following claim?
School should only be 2 hours long each day.
ANSWER: Answers will vary, but it must disagree with the claim. "Some people might say school should be longer than 2 hours because ________".