Click on a box to explore each topic. Pay special attention to the examples and what is highlighted, outlined or underlined.
Introduction (Claim)The introduction should include a sentence or paragraph that clearly states the claim.
Example:
Climate scientists are troubled by the trend in rising temperatures on the Earth’s surface. NOAA and NASA found that temperatures in 2014 were higher than average temperatures in the 1900s.
A claim should be supported with evidence. The evidence should be included in the body of your explanation and should be organized logically.
Example:
Climate scientists are troubled by the trend in rising temperatures on the Earth’s surface. NOAA and NASA found that temperatures in 2014 were higher than average temperatures in the 1900s.
NOAA reported that December 2014 was the warmest month on record. In addition, May, June, August and September saw record monthly highs. Sometimes, El Nino, a change in ocean temperatures, can warm the Earth. However, El Nino was not the cause of record highs in 2014. Furthermore, record temperatures in 2014 continued a trend where 9 out of the 10 hottest years on record were between 2002 and 2014.
A claim should also be supported with reasoning. Reasoning connects the claim with the supporting evidence.
Example:
Climate scientists are troubled by the trend in rising temperatures on the Earth’s surface. NOAA and NASA found that temperatures in 2014 were higher than average temperatures in the 1900s.
NOAA reported that December 2014 was the warmest month on record. In addition, May, June, August and September saw record monthly highs. Sometimes, El Nino, a change in ocean temperatures, can warm the Earth. However, El Nino was not the cause of record highs in 2014. Furthermore, record temperatures in 2014 continued a trend where 9 out of the 10 hottest years on record were between 2002 and 2014.
Climate scientists blame human activity for these record highs, particularly our burning of fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Because we continue to release greenhouse gases, experts predict even more record highs in the future.
Use transition words to connect ideas in your explanation.
Example:
Climate scientists are troubled by the trend in rising temperatures on the Earth’s surface. NOAA and NASA found that temperatures in 2014 were higher than average temperatures in the 1900s.
NOAA reported that December 2014 was the warmest month on record. In addition, May, June, August and September saw record monthly highs. Sometimes, El Nino, a change in ocean temperatures, can warm the Earth. However, El Nino was not the cause of record highs in 2014. Furthermore, record temperatures in 2014 continued a trend where 9 out of the 10 hottest years on record were between 2002 and 2014.
Climate scientists blame human activity for these record highs, particularly our burning of fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Because we continue to release greenhouse gases, experts predict even more record highs in the future.
Based on these trends, it is not surprising that 2014 was the warmest year ever measured.
Include domain-specific vocabulary to make your explanation clearer and more precise.
Example:
Climate scientists blame human activity for these record highs, particularly our burning of fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Because we continue to release greenhouse gases, experts predict even more record highs in the future.
Using a formal writing style will help to ensure that your explanation is clear and accurate. Formal writing is often objective and unbiased.
Notice how the style of writing in the sample explanation uses facts and examples, as opposed to opinions, to support the claim. Using an objective tone helps to validate the claim, allowing the reader to focus on understanding the topic.
Write a conclusion that restates or reinforces the importance of your claim.
Example:
Based on these trends, it is not surprising that 2014 was the warmest year ever measured.