Writing with 3C’s Claim, Cite, Clarify

Which Answer Sounds More Thought Out? Why is it important to recycle? Answer #1 Answer #2 I think that it’s important to recycle because it’s good for the environment. Recycling is important because it is important for the future of the planet. According to research, recycling is good for the environment because it decreases pollution. Therefore, recycling is essential.

What Do The 3 Cs Mean to Me? Claim/Cite/Clarify is a way of answering questions or summarizing text. Claim it—claim the big ideas. Cite it—cite the information for those ideas. Clarify it—explain how it all works together to present a message. How does your quote link to the central idea you are claiming?

When Do You Use C/C/C? Responding to short answer questions. Writing research papers. During persuasive speeches. Summarizing paragraphs.

Your Claim Your opinion or answer to the question- a thesis of sorts. Often identifies a central idea or main point. It is YOUR WORDS, not taken from the text. Example: Question: Why does Scrooge change by the end of A Christmas Carol? Answer: Scrooge changes at the end of A Christmas Carol because he realizes how greedy he is. Ask why the “not” example is incorrect.

Practice a Claim What would be a good claim to answer this question? “In most cases, you can transplant a tree successfully, at any time, if you follow the instructions for planting a tree. The most important thing is to dig out enough roots, but this process is difficult with a large tree. When you dig out the tree, leave a ball of earth around its roots. This ball of earth should measure about a foot wide for every inch of tree trunk's diameter. Dig deep enough to avoid cutting off too many taproots. It is wise to call in a professional tree expert to transplant a tree more than a few inches in trunk diameter.” Answer this question: Is it difficult to transplant a large tree? Why? What would be a good claim to answer this question? Write the class’ claim on one side of the whiteboard

Your Citation Whenever you make a claim, you MUST back it up with evidence. This evidence is called a citation. Citations are a direct quote, paraphrase, or general summary from the text. **parenthetical citation will be discussed later Ways to introduce your citation: “According to the text…” “The text states…” “The author describes…” “In the article…”

Practice a Citation “In most cases, you can transplant a tree successfully, at any time, if you follow the instructions for planting a tree. The most important thing is to dig out enough roots, but this process is difficult with a large tree. When you dig out the tree, leave a ball of earth around its roots. This ball of earth should measure about a foot wide for every inch of tree trunk's diameter. Dig deep enough to avoid cutting off too many taproots. It is wise to call in a professional tree expert to transplant a tree more than a few inches in trunk diameter.” Answer this question: Is it difficult to transplant a large tree? Why? What evidence from the text would you use to back up your claim?

Your Clarification It is YOUR WORDS, NOT taken from the text Ties back to your claim, BUT does NOT REPEAT IT!!! Explains how your citation supports your claim Shows your critical thinking skills **It should usually be 2-4 sentences Ways to introduce your clarification: “Knowing this…” “Therefore…” “Clearly…” “Because of this…” “Given the evidence…”

Practice Clarification “In most cases, you can transplant a tree successfully, at any time, if you follow the instructions for planting a tree. The most important thing is to dig out enough roots, but this process is difficult with a large tree. When you dig out the tree, leave a ball of earth around its roots. This ball of earth should measure about a foot wide for every inch of tree trunk's diameter. Dig deep enough to avoid cutting off too many taproots. It is wise to call in a professional tree expert to transplant a tree more than a few inches in trunk diameter. Answer this question: Is it difficult to transplant a large tree? Why? What would you say to connect your evidence to your claim?

Let’s Pull It All Together! What a C/C/C Paragraph Looks Like: ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________ Combine the students’ claim, citation, and clarification.

Let’s Practice! Is this a C/C/C response? Peter thinks Anne is courageous because she is willing to risk her life for others- even animals. According to the text, Anne saved a cat from oncoming traffic when Peter was too scared to. Because of this, Peter believes Anne to be very brave. Yes! Why is this a C/C/C response?

Let’s Practice! Is this a C/C/C response? Playing outside is good for you. Playing outside is good for you because some doctors say the fresh air is necessary for your lungs. So, playing outside is good for you. No! How can we make this a C/C/C response?

Let’s Practice! “Erosion of America's farmland by wind and water has been a problem since settlers first put the prairies and grasslands under the plow in the nineteenth century. By the 1930s, more than 282 million acres of farmland were damaged by erosion. After 40 years of conservation efforts, soil erosion has accelerated due to new demands placed on the land by heavy crop production. In the years ahead, soil erosion and the pollution problems it causes are likely to replace petroleum scarcity as the nation's most critical natural resource problem.” How is erosion a problem for America’s farmland (Answer using C/C/C!) ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ _____________________

On Your Own… Read the following passage on your own and answer the question: “Oatmeal has many health benefits. You may have heard the saying that a hearty bowl of oatmeal at breakfast “sticks to your ribs”. This is not too far off from the truth. Oatmeal contains fiber which stays in the stomach longer and helps you feel fuller for longer. This can prevent overeating later on in the day, which may help you maintain a healthy weight and avoid the health problems associated with overweight.” Why is oatmeal healthy? Explain.