A Quick Guide to Claim/Data/Warrant CDW– What is that?!? A Quick Guide to Claim/Data/Warrant

Claim/Data/Warrant is a format for writing in a clear logical manner. What is CDW? Claim/Data/Warrant is a format for writing in a clear logical manner. When writing in CDW, you have to: (1) make your point ( Claim) (2) support your point with facts (Data) (3) explain how the facts prove your point. (Warrant)

What is a claim? The 1st sentence of a paragraph (topic sentence) Clearly states your position on the topic you are writing about. Usually a response to a question or prompt Rarely a simple sentence It can include the title of the text and the author, if used.

example Though they seem mere entertainment, Hollywood movies are actually responsible for reinforcing cultural stereotypes in America. The most likely explanation for the recent increase in gambling as an acceptable past is the perceived stamp of approval by cultural institutions , such as state governments and organized religions

Practice Exercise: Which of the following sentences makes a good claim? 1. Teachers are posed with many problems today. 2. Polls show that today more minorities own businesses than ever before. 3. We must strive with every ounce of our national vigor to ensure that America has a bright future and that truth and justice will abide with us forever. 4. Ophelia is my favorite character in Hamlet because she is the most interesting. 5. If we can put humans on the moon, we can find a cure for the common cold.

Data: Evidence you cite to support your claim. from a text Fact or statistic Personal experience Research Expert opinions You need a minimum of 2 pieces of data per paragraph. -All data except personal experiences should be properly documented in MLA style.

What are transitions? A sentence or partial sentence that sets the context of the data Answers questions like who, what, where, when (not necessarily all of them)

What is warrant? The most important and significant part of the paragraph States how and why the data proves the claim (Your opinion) Your interpretation and analysis of the data

Practice 1.    Claim: President Clinton should be applauded for his policies on minority owned businesses.        Data: The NYT reports that more minorities own businesses today than ever before.        Warrant: 2.    Claim: Any American can grow up to be president.        Data: Bill Clinton came from a poor town in a poor state to be president.        Warrant: 3.   Claim: The school system itself promotes racial tension in its effort to provide America's children with a good education.        Data: There's a lot of racial tension in many schools these days.        Warrant:

Putting it all together What does a completed CDW paragraph look like? 8 sections with a minimum of one sentence each. Warrants are usually 2 or more sentences. Claim Transition into Data Warrants Concluding sentence

Practice Directions: Write a good “claim/data/warrant” paragraph using the prompt below.  Label your claim, your data (reasons), and your warrant.   Prompt: How much influence do parents really have over how their children turn out as adults?