✏️ WritingGrade 6Lesson 1
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Recognise claims, reasons and evidence

How to use: Download the PDF to print the worksheet. Then use this page to repeat activities and check answers.

Learning Objectives

  • 1Define claim, reason, and evidence and explain how they work together in an argument
  • 2Identify the claim, reasons, and evidence in a sample argumentative paragraph
  • 3Sort statements correctly into Claim, Reason, and Evidence categories
  • 4Explain why a claim without evidence is weak and how evidence strengthens an argument
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Mini Lesson

Every strong argument rests on three building blocks: a claim, reasons, and evidence. A claim is a statement that takes a position. Reasons explain why the claim makes sense. Evidence is specific, verifiable information that backs up each reason. Together they form a persuasive argument that is hard to ignore.

The Three Building Blocks

  1. Claim — the central position you are defending. It must be debatable, not a fact everyone already agrees on.
  2. Reason — a logical statement that supports the claim by answering the question "Why is the claim true?"
  3. Evidence — specific data, examples, expert opinions, or research findings that prove each reason.

A Model Argument in Three Parts

Model argument

Topic: school lunch breaks

What does a complete argument look like?

Answer:Claim: Schools should have longer lunch breaks. Reason: Students need time to recharge between lessons. Evidence: A 2019 study found that students who had a 30-minute break scored 15% higher on afternoon attention tests than those who had only 10 minutes.

Notice how the claim takes a clear position, the reason explains why, and the evidence provides a specific, cited fact.

What Makes Evidence Strong?

  • Specific — uses numbers, dates, or named sources rather than vague words like "many" or "some people".
  • Cited — names the study, survey, or expert so the reader can verify the information.
  • Relevant — directly supports the reason, not a different point.
  • Recent — uses up-to-date data so the argument reflects the current situation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Circular reasoning — the reason just repeats the claim in different words: "School uniforms are good because uniforms are beneficial."
  • Anecdotal evidence — using one personal story as if it proves a general truth: "My cousin tried it and it worked."
  • Missing evidence — giving a reason but no supporting facts: "Healthy food improves focus." (How do we know? Cite something.)
  • Confusing reason and evidence — a reason is a "why" statement; evidence is the proof that makes the "why" credible.
Claim to Reason to Evidence flow diagramThe Three-Part ArgumentCLAIMTakes a clearpositionREASONExplains whythe claim is trueEVIDENCEProves thereasonExampleClaim:Schools should have longer lunch breaks.Reason:Students need time to recharge.Evidence:Research shows focus improves aftera 30-minute break.
Strong vs Weak Argument comparisonStrong vs Weak ArgumentWEAKClaim only- No reason given- No evidence cited- Easy to dismiss- Relies on opinion- Not persuasiveSTRONGClaimReasonEvidence+ Backed by data+ Hard to dismiss
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Tip: when you read an argument, ask three questions: What is the claim? Why does the writer believe it? What proof is offered? If you cannot answer all three, the argument is incomplete.

Vocabulary
claim
A debatable statement that presents the writer’s position on a topic.
reason
A logical explanation that answers why the claim is true.
evidence
Specific, verifiable information (data, examples, expert opinion) that supports a reason.
argument
A combination of a claim, one or more reasons, and supporting evidence.
anecdotal
Based on a personal story rather than broader data or research.
circular reasoning
A logical error where the reason simply restates the claim in different words.
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Guided Practice

Write 3-4 sentences explaining what you have learned. Use at least 8 of the vocabulary words below.
ClaimReasonEvidenceargumentpositionproofstudysurveydata
📝 Words: 0 / 75🔤 Vocabulary used: 0 / 8
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Exercises

Sort each statement into Claim, Reason, or Evidence.

Claim

Reason

Evidence

Match each statement to its category: Claim, Reason, or Evidence.

Pick the best answer for each question.

1. A claim is best described as...

2. What is the main job of a reason in an argument?

3. Which of these is the strongest piece of evidence?

4. Which example shows circular reasoning?

5. What is the difference between a reason and evidence?

6. An argument that uses only a personal story as proof is called...

7. Which statement is a claim (not a fact)?

8. A complete argument requires...

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Assessment

Parent / Teacher Checklist

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