9.19 Development of Ideas and Claims Worksheet

A science communication article argues that explaining uncertainty can strengthen rather than weaken a claim. It describes a forecast that gives a single number for expected rainfall. It then presents a revised forecast that gives a likely range and names the conditions that could shift the total. The article argues that the revised explanation helps readers understand confidence, limits, and possible outcomes.

A policy essay argues that measuring school safety requires students' reported experiences as well as incident totals. The essay notes that recorded fights decreased after hallway supervision increased. It then explains that survey responses still showed many students avoided one stairwell because of verbal harassment that rarely became a formal incident. The essay develops the claim by showing that official records can miss patterns of intimidation.

An article argues that local history projects should distinguish between preserving buildings and preserving community stories. It describes a restored train station whose bricks, benches, and ticket windows were carefully repaired. It then explains that students recorded interviews about who waited there, who worked there, and who was excluded from the station during segregation. The article develops the claim by showing that physical preservation and historical interpretation answer different questions.