Try It
Now that you have explored a process for identifying the claims, evidence and reasoning in a piece of text, let’s practice using the next section of the text.
Remember to ask yourself:
- What is the claim? What is the main point the author is making in this section?
- What evidence does the author use to support the claim? What facts, examples or data does the author use?
- How does the author explain his/her reasoning, which shows how the evidence supports the claim?
Complete the following activity. You will be identifying the claim, evidence and reasoning that the author uses in the section entitled “It’s Expensive to Guarantee Water” from the Newsela article ”California tries one solution to water problems – treating seawater”opens in new window.
It's Expensive To Guarantee Water
5 Reverse-osmosis desalination was invented in California in the 1950s, but since then it has mostly been used outside the United States. When the Carlsbad plant begins operating in 2016, it will be the largest desalination project ever built in the Americas.
6 The San Diego County Water Authority, which serves 3.1 million people, is buying all of the plant’s freshwater production. “It’s drought-proof — that’s one of the most important" features, said Bob Yamada, a manager with the water authority. "It will be the most reliable water source we have.”
7 The water authority’s 30-year contract with Poseidon illustrates both the promise and peril of this water source. San Diego County agreed to pay for 48,000 acre-feet of water from the plant every year — whether it needs the water or not. It is doing so to ensure a guaranteed long-term supply. The water will cost $2,257 per acre-foot, about double the price of the authority’s most expensive supply now.
8 One acre-foot is enough to serve two average homes for a year. At a total output of 56,000 acre-feet, the plant will meet 7 percent of San Diego County’s annual water needs.
– Newselaopens in new window, December 4, 2014
