STATEMENT-PROOF- COMMENTARY Your New Mantra for Writing

Statement  Everything that is the writer’s own ideas  Claims  Thesis statements

Proof  Anecdotes  From a text  Paraphrased  Quoted  Summarized (sometimes)  Examples  Facts and figures

Commentary  Explanation of HOW the proof supports the statement  Must match the statement and the proof together  This is the area worth the most points and where students struggle

How do I Use S-P-C?  Helps to understand a text and identify main ideas  Helps to write a paper—ultimate formula for success in all writing  You always know what you need to write next!

S-P-C EXAMPLE S - The Arizona legislature always cuts education spending first when the state needs money. P – In 2011 alone, the education budget in Arizona was cut by 17%. C – Every time the education budget is cut, more damage is done to Arizona’s students’ education.