How to do a Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER)
CLAIM: Answers the question or statement.
Example
Question: Is a burning candle an example of a physical or
chemical change?
“Yes, a burning candle is an example of a chemical change.”
EVIDENCE: What you see, feel, and hear about
the question or statement. Use your 5 senses.
“A burning candle will turn the wick into ash. A burning candle will
also give off a burning smell.”
REASONING: What scientific theory or
principal explain how the evidence proves the
statement.
“Substances turning into ash and a change in smell is evidence of a
new substance being created.”