Bridge: Test Claims and Evidence

Begin tracing an argument and distinguishing claims that are supported from claims that are not.

How the lesson starts: Bridge: Test Claims and Evidence

Claim bridges
In Pebble Valley, every claim is a bridge. Inspector Kaya, a mountain goat with a clipboard, tests each one. If the text holds it up with evidence, it stands. If not, splash!
Pillars of proof
Leo wants a bike lane on Maple Road. His facts are pillars: 300 bikes a week, close calls with buses in May, and crashes on Oak Street fell by half after its lane.
Kaya thinks aloud
Claim: a bike lane may make Maple Road safer. Can Kaya point to a sentence? Close calls in May, and crashes fell on Oak Street. Supported! Claim: the mayor approved the lane. Where does it say that? Nowhere. Splash! Watch out for stretch words like everyone.