Reasons and Evidence

An explanation that supports the claim. ex. explanations, examples, descriptions, etc.

• Claims

• Facts

• Evidence

• Reason

Data that supports the claim. ex. facts, statistics, quotes, results, etc.

• Evidence

• Account

• Fact

• Point

The point the author is trying to make. What the author wants the reader to understand.

• Fact

• Claim

• Point

• Support

A statement that is always true.

• Claim

• Opinion

• Fact

• Support

Which sentence expresses the main point of the article?

• "College degree holders earn more money."

• "College is important because it can shape a person's future."

• "College students also gain experience in their fields of interest."

• "High school students are all faced with an important life-changing decision."

What piece of evidence best supports the claim that college graduates earn more money? (Choose all that apply)

• "College-educated people will earn about $1 million more in their lives!"

• "In addition, college-educated people are less likely to face unemployment."

• "This may be because people who attend college have time to explore their career interests."

• "According to the U.S. Bereau of Labor Statistics, people with bachelor's degrees earned an average of $464 more per week than people who did not attend college."

Read the following sentence from the passage.

"Sixty percent of people with bachelor's degrees believed the same, while only thirty-eight percent of people who were not college educated were satisfied."

The author uses this sentence as evidence to support which of the following points?

• Career choice after college is important.

• A college graduation is unrelated to job satisfaction.

• College graduates are more satisfied with their jobs.

• College graduates and non-college graduates are satisfied with their jobs.

What is another piece of evidence that the author uses to support the following claim?

"College graduates are more satisfied with their jobs."

Read the following claim.

"College graduates tend to help their communities."

Which of the following sentences should go in the blank box? (Choose all that apply.)

• "...40% of college graduates volunteered in their communities."

• "College students also gain experience in their fields of interest."

• "College educated citizens also were 15 times more likely to donate money to charities than people without college educations."

• "They take classes that help them decide the career paths they may take."

The author claims that college is important. Write a paragraph explaining the reasons and evidence the author uses to support his or her claim.