What you will be able to do
write a focused claim that answers a question; select relevant evidence and explain the connection; quote, paraphrase, and cite sources accurately
Claims, Evidence, and Research Citation
How can a researcher make a clear claim, support it with evidence, and credit every source?
Activate what you know
Read a fictional park question and three facts. Point to the fact that most directly helps answer the question and explain why
- claiman answer or conclusion that can be supported or challenged with evidence
- evidencerelevant facts, data, examples, or source details used to support a claim
- reasoningthe explanation connecting evidence to a claim
- citationa record showing where information or words came from
- quotationa source’s exact words, marked and copied accurately
- paraphrasea source idea restated fully in the researcher’s own words and sentence structure
- relevancea direct connection to the question or claim
1
Build an Answer That the Evidence Can Carry
A claim directly answers the research question. It should be specific enough to test and cautious enough to fit the evidence. ‘The route improved library access for many surveyed riders’ is stronger than ‘The route solved every transportation problem.’ The second claim goes beyond the evidence and ignores people not represented in the survey. Evidence must be accurate, relevant, and sufficient. Attendance numbers are relevant to library use, while an unrelated weather fact is not. Reasoning explains the link: visits increased after the stop opened, and riders named the stop as helpful. Timing alone does not prove cause, so the researcher should consider other changes such as new library hours
2
Quote, Paraphrase, and Cite with Care
A quotation copies exact words and uses quotation marks. Quote only when the wording itself matters, and include enough context to preserve the meaning. A paraphrase restates an idea in genuinely new wording and structure. Changing a few words is not a true paraphrase and can distort the source. Citation gives readers a path back to the source. Record creator, title, date, publisher or collection, and stable location as you work. A citation does not make weak evidence strong; it makes the evidence traceable. Follow the citation style assigned by the teacher consistently, and never invent missing author, date, page, or quotation information
Do Not Make Evidence Speak for Itself
After every piece of evidence, explain what it shows, why it matters, and what it cannot establish alone
Use the Because Test
Join claim and evidence with because, then add reasoning. If the sentence does not make sense, the evidence may be irrelevant or the claim may be too broad
Citation Is Not Decoration
A source list without clear links to claims leaves readers guessing. Cite at the point where evidence, wording, data, or an idea enters the work
Write a Cited Mini-Conclusion
Using a teacher-provided data table, rider comment, and source cards, write one claim, two evidence sentences with citations, reasoning, and one limitation
A defensible conclusion answers the question with a focused claim, relevant evidence, clear reasoning, and appropriate limits. Accurate quotation, true paraphrase, and complete citations make the research traceable and honest
Practice and answer guide
Work through all 10 questions. Open an answer only after you have written or explained your response.
- 1. Which claim best fits evidence from surveyed riders? A. The route improved access for many surveyed riders. B. The route helped every resident. C. Transportation problems ended forever
Check answer
The route improved access for many surveyed riders
- 2. Which evidence is most relevant to a claim about library access? A. library visits and rider reports B. the color of the bus C. a distant city’s rainfall
Check answer
Library visits and rider reports
- 3. Draw and label a claim-evidence-reasoning bridge
Check answer
The diagram should show a claim supported by evidence with reasoning as the explicit connection
- 4. Explain how an increase from 120 to 175 visits could support, but not prove by itself, the route claim
Check answer
The timing and increase are consistent with improved access, especially with rider reports, but other changes such as hours, programs, or population could also affect visits
- 5. Write one limitation that should accompany the rider-survey evidence
Check answer
Examples: only surveyed riders are represented; not every resident uses the library; the survey method may miss some people; other changes may affect attendance
- 6. Which use requires citation? A. both a quotation and a paraphrase B. only a quotation C. neither one
Check answer
Both a quotation and a paraphrase
- 7. Name four source details to record before taking notes
Check answer
Any four appropriate details: creator, title, date, publisher or collection, page or item number, URL, or access date when required
- 8. Explain the difference between a quotation and a paraphrase
Check answer
Quotation: exact source words in quotation marks. Paraphrase: the source idea in genuinely new wording and structure. Both are cited
- 9. A learner changes three words in a source sentence and gives no citation. Identify two problems
Check answer
It is too close to the original wording and it fails to credit the source. It may also change the meaning
- 10. Create a claim and reasoning sentence for this evidence: a new park path is wider, has a gentler slope, and was tested by wheelchair users
Check answer
Example claim: ‘The new path appears designed to improve physical accessibility.’ Reasoning: width, slope, and user testing are relevant design evidence, though actual use and maintenance should also be evaluated