A confident sentence can sound convincing before you notice what supports it. Separating a claim from its evidence gives you a starting point for evaluating essays, workplace proposals, and everyday explanations without becoming an expert on everything.
Identify the assertion
Read a paragraph and write its main claim in plain language. A claim says something that could be supported, qualified, or disputed: a new bus route will reduce late arrivals. Background facts, such as the route number, serve another purpose. When a paragraph makes several claims, list them separately so evidence for one does not silently become evidence for all.
Explain the connection
Beside each claim, record the support actually offered. A map may show access while attendance records show punctuality; neither establishes the entire prediction alone. Finish the sentence, This evidence supports this claim because. If that sentence requires information you lack, mark the gap instead of filling it with a plausible assumption. A clear connection reveals which part of the reasoning still needs checking.
Judge the fit
Check whether the evidence addresses relevant people, periods, and outcomes. Ten favorable comments can establish enthusiasm without showing that most riders benefit. Beginners can practice on one paragraph; experienced readers can trace several intermediate conclusions. Missing evidence invites further inquiry rather than proving a claim false. When support is limited, write a narrower conclusion and identify the observation that would justify going further.
Put it into practice
Put it into practice
- Choose a recommendation you recently encountered.
- Copy its main claim and identify two pieces of support.
- Explain the connection for each, then name an additional observation that would make your judgment more secure.
Sources & further reading
- Texas A&M University Writing Center: Critical Thinking ↗
- Harvard College Writing Center: Asking Analytical Questions ↗
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