claim evidence reasoning anchor chart

3 min read 10-03-2025

Meta Description: Learn how to master argumentative writing with our comprehensive guide to Claim, Evidence, Reasoning anchor charts. This guide provides examples, templates, and strategies to strengthen your arguments and boost your writing skills. We'll break down each element and show you how to build a strong, persuasive case. Perfect for students and writers of all levels!

What is a Claim, Evidence, Reasoning Anchor Chart?

A Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) anchor chart is a visual tool that helps students and writers structure and organize their arguments. It breaks down the essential components of persuasive writing into three key parts:

Claim: Your main point or argument. This is the statement you're trying to prove.
Evidence: The facts, statistics, examples, or data that support your claim. This is your proof.
Reasoning: The explanation of how your evidence connects to and supports your claim. This is your analysis.

This simple structure makes it easier to construct well-supported, logical arguments and improve the overall quality of your writing. Using a CER anchor chart is beneficial across various subjects, from science and history to English and debate.

Understanding Each Component of the CER Anchor Chart

Let's delve deeper into each component:

1. The Claim: Stating Your Position

Your claim is the central argument of your piece of writing. It should be clear, concise, and debatable. A strong claim is not just a statement of fact; it's an assertion that requires evidence to support it. It often answers a question or takes a stance on a specific issue.

Examples:

Weak Claim: Dogs are good pets. (Too general)
Strong Claim: Dogs make better family pets than cats due to their loyalty and trainability. (Specific and debatable)

2. The Evidence: Providing Proof

Evidence is the factual support for your claim. This can include a wide range of information, such as:

Statistics: Numerical data that quantifies a point.
Examples: Specific instances that illustrate your claim.
Expert opinions: Statements from credible sources in the field.
Facts: Verifiable pieces of information.
Anecdotes: Personal stories that support your point (use sparingly).
Data: Collected information, such as results from experiments or surveys.

Example: For the claim "Dogs make better family pets than cats...", evidence might include statistics on dog adoption rates, examples of dogs' assistance to humans, or expert opinions on canine social behavior.

3. The Reasoning: Making the Connection

Reasoning explains how your evidence supports your claim. This is where you analyze the evidence and connect the dots for your reader. It’s not just stating the evidence; it's explaining why that evidence supports your argument.

Example: "The high adoption rates of dogs (evidence) demonstrate their suitability as family pets (reasoning connecting evidence to the claim about dogs being better family pets). Their trainability and loyalty (further evidence) further support this conclusion because these traits foster strong bonds and positive interactions within a family unit."

Creating Your Own CER Anchor Chart

You can create a visual anchor chart to help you remember and apply the CER structure. Consider the following elements:

Three Columns: Design your chart with three columns clearly labeled "Claim," "Evidence," and "Reasoning."
Visual Aids: Use icons or images to represent each element. For example, a speech bubble for the claim, a graph for evidence, and a connecting arrow for reasoning.
Color-Coding: Use different colors to distinguish between each component.
Examples: Include examples of strong claims, relevant evidence, and effective reasoning.
Template: Develop a template that students can use to structure their arguments.

How to Use a CER Anchor Chart in Writing

Start with a strong claim. Clearly state your main argument.
Gather supporting evidence. Find multiple pieces of credible evidence to support your claim.
Analyze your evidence. Explain how each piece of evidence directly supports your claim.
Organize your argument. Use the CER structure to organize your writing, ensuring a logical flow from claim to evidence to reasoning.
Revise and refine. Review your argument to ensure clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness.

Beyond the Basics: Advanced CER Techniques

Counterarguments: Address opposing viewpoints and explain why your argument is stronger.
Multiple Evidences: Use multiple pieces of evidence to support each point for stronger support.
Complex Reasoning: Develop sophisticated connections between your evidence and your claim.

By mastering the Claim, Evidence, Reasoning framework, you can craft compelling, well-supported arguments in any writing situation. The CER anchor chart provides a practical tool to organize your thoughts and create persuasive pieces of writing. Remember, practice is key – the more you use the CER method, the better you'll become at building robust and convincing arguments.