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. 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.

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

Your Claim Usually restates the question being asked, does NOT answer it. Think about how you answer questions in a complete sentence! No use of the word “because.” There is an example on here that will show you how to use because if it is needed for clarification purposes. Example: Question: Why does Scrooge change by the end of A Christmas Carol? Claim: Scrooge changes at the end of A Christmas Carol. NOT: Scrooge changes at the end of A Christmas Carol because he realizes how greedy he is. Ask why the “not” example is incorrect.

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, or a general summary from the text. Ways to introduce your citation: “According to the text…” “The text states…” “The author describes…” “In the article…”

Your Clarification Ties back to your claim. Explains how your citation supports your claim. Ways to introduce your clarification: “Knowing this…” “Therefore…” “As you can see…” “Because of this…” “Given the evidence…”

Let’s Practice! Is this a C/C/C response? Does Peter think Anne is courageous? Peter thinks Anne is courageous. 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? Is playing outside good for you? 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! Is this a C/C/C response? Who is the silliest person you know? My big brother is the silliest person I know! He always jokes around at the dinner table and isn’t afraid to make a fool of himself. I don’t know anyone as silly as my brother. Yes! Why is this a C/C/C response? Explain to students that they do not always need transition words. As long as their citation supports their claim and their clarification ties their citation and claim together.

Examples from “RTT” What is Rikki’s first impression of the garden? Claim – Rikki was impressed with the garden. Cite – As he was licking his lips, Rikki said, “this a splendid hunting ground.” Clarify -- Therefore, the first impression of the garden was a good one.

Written Response What is Rikki’s first impression of the garden? Rikki was impressed with the garden. As he was licking his lips, Rikki said, “this a splendid hunting ground.” Therefore, the first impression of the garden was a good one.

Examples from “RTT” How does Rikki know how to behave in the bungalow? Claim – Rikki knows how to behave in the bungalow because of his mother. Cite – According to the text, “She used to live in the General’s house” and “had carefully told Rikki what to do if he came across an Englishman.” Clarify -- Therefore, Rikki’s mother was responsible for teaching him how to act in the bungalow.

Written Response How does Rikki know how to behave in the bungalow? Rikki knows how to behave in the bungalow because of his mother. According to the text, “She used to live in the General’s house” and “had carefully told Rikki what to do if he came across an Englishman.” Therefore, Rikki’s mother was responsible for teaching him how to act in the bungalow.

To Remember The 3Cs is a way to incorporate textual evidence into your writing. To make a claim, first restate the question into a statement. To cite, incorporate the quote. Use cue words to introduce the quote: according to the author; according to Rikki; the text states; the article states. To clarify, explain how your citation supports your claim. Use cue phrases: therefore; because of this, knowing this. (Note: Please do not use “this proves.”)