Review It

Remember, authors support their claims with evidence and reasoning. As you read, consider the facts and statistics that the author uses to back up the claims. The more proof that the author gives the reader to support the claims, the more likely it is that the reader will agree and understand them.  Furthermore, analyzing the reasoning allows the reader to understand the ways in which the author explains how the evidence directly supports the claim. Evaluating the evidence and reasoning that support the claim will help you become a more critical reader.

To review this skill, read the “Small But Mighty” section of the Newsela opens in new window article, and then complete the activity below. Think about how the author is continuing to support his claims about the importance of using drones to detect bad weather.

Small But Mighty

5 The Coyotes weigh about 7 pounds and have a 5-foot wingspan. They'll be dropped out of chutes in NOAA’s WP-3 hurricane hunter aircraft while 10,000 to 12,000 feet above the ocean.

6 The drone’s spring-loaded wings will lock into place and its small electric motor will spin up, allowing it to fly at speeds of up to 70 mile per hour. Then the little plane will do what no other aircraft can: spend up to two hours spiraling around the core of a hurricane, allowing forecasters to receive detailed information about its inner workings.

7 “You’re getting a longer snapshot of how pressure changes within the eye” of a storm, Dunion said.

8 While being remote-controlled, the Coyote also will be flown into a hurricane’s eye wall, a ring of clouds surrounding the eye. Unlike the calmness of the eye of the hurricane, the eye wall is the most destructive area of the hurricane, with the heaviest rain and strongest winds. The goal is to find the strongest winds there. That, too, should help the hurricane center improve its predictions about just how strong a hurricane will become.

9 Additionally, forecasters hope the Coyote will help them better anticipate when a hurricane might rapidly strengthen. That kind of rapid increase can be devastating if the hurricane is near land.

- Newselaopens in new window, June 11, 2014