1. Reasoning
enCompass Academy

2. Reasoning
Your explanation that links your claim to the evidence that supports it.
It shows your understanding of the concepts being discussed in your claim and in your evidence.
The reasoning should be at least one sentence in length, and no more than three sentences.

3. Think of it this way… Claim = what you know Evidence = how you know
Reasoning = why you know

4. Example World History
Claim: The Renaissance changed man’s view of man through humanism.
Evidence: In Act II, Scene II of Hamlet William Shakespeare writes, “What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason! How infinite in faculty!”
Reasoning: Humanism is the praise of the beauty and intelligence of the individual. This is significant because Shakespeare demonstrates humanism by praising how intelligent man is in Hamlet.

5. In a paragraph it looks like…
The Renaissance changed man’s view of man through humanism. In Act II, Scene II of Hamlet William Shakespeare writes, “What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason! How infinite in faculty!” Humanism is the praise of the beauty and intelligence of the individual. This is significant because Shakespeare demonstrates humanism by praising how intelligent man is in Hamlet.

6. Example Government
Claim: The most important ideal in the Declaration of Independence is the the people giving consent to the government.
Evidence: In “The Consent of the Governed: Essential Principles” the author claims, “The essential meaning of consent of the governed can be better understood by examining countries where it is lacking. In 1989, Chinese students who had gathered in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square adopted the Statue of Liberty… as the symbol of their demands for truth, freedom, and democracy from their government...”
Reasoning: During the this protest the Chinese government killed over 3,000 students. Based on this evidence we must conclude that giving consent to the government is the most important ideal in the Declaration of Independence because without it the government can become tyrannical and oppress or even murder the people it governs.

7. In a paragraph it looks like…
The most important ideal in the Declaration of Independence is the the people giving consent to the government. In “The Consent of the Governed: Essential Principles” the author claims, “The essential meaning of consent of the governed can be better understood by examining countries where it is lacking. In 1989, Chinese students who had gathered in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square adopted the Statue of Liberty… as the symbol of their demands for truth, freedom, and democracy from their government...” During the this protest the Chinese government killed over 3,000 students. Based on this evidence we must conclude that giving consent to the government is the most important ideal in the Declaration of Independence because without it the government can become tyrannical and oppress or even murder the people it governs.

8. Example U.S. History
Claim: The American Revolution was not actually revolutionary.
Evidence: In the History of the New York African Free-Schools Andrews quotes a speech given by a young African-American that graduated as the valedictorian of his free school, “Drudgery and servitude, then, are my prospective portion. Can you be surprised at my discouragement?”
Reasoning: From the evidence it can be inferred that the American Revolution was not revolutionary because before the revolution African Americans worked as slaves doing manual labor and working as household servants. The author of this speech points out in 1819, 26 years later, that he will have to do the same sort of work despite having an education, showing there is no big change for African Americans.

9. In a paragraph it looks like…
The American Revolution was not actually revolutionary. In the History of the New York African Free-Schools Andrews quotes a speech given by a young African-American that graduated as the valedictorian of his free school, “Drudgery and servitude, then, are my prospective portion. Can you be surprised at my discouragement?” From the evidence it can be inferred that the American Revolution was not revolutionary because before the revolution African Americans worked as slaves doing manual labor and working as household servants. The author of this speech points out in 1819, 26 years later, that he will have to do the same sort of work despite having an education, showing there is no big change for African Americans.

10. Another Example
Were Lewis & Clark respectful to the Native Americans they met on their journey?
Lewis and Clark were not respectful to the Native Americans they met on their journey. In Meriweather Lewis’ speech to the Otoe Lewis proclaims, “Children… you are to live in peace with all the white men, for they are the [the great chief’s] children.” This is significant because Lewis refers to the Native Americans, who are grown adults, as children. This shows that Lewis believes they are beneath him, and displays an overall lack of respect.
Claim = red evidence = green reasoning = blue

11. Reasoning Sentences Starters
Based on the evidence we must conclude (restate your claim) because (your analysis).
The most logical conclusion we can draw from this evidence is that (restate your claim) because (your analysis).
All of this proves that (restate your claim) because (your analysis).
(Rephrase your evidence) matters because (give your reason).
From the evidence it can be inferred that…
This shows that (restate your claim) because…
This is significant because…