Name:
Date:
Restating the Claim
Directions: This activity focuses on the first part of a conclusion paragraph – restating the claim.
In this activity, you will be working with seven claims that you must reword as if you were writing
the first part of a conclusion paragraph. Remember, you are rewording these sentences, so you
cannot simply state the same exact thing! It will also be helpful to include a transition word or
phrase at the beginning of your new sentence.
©2018 EB Academic Camps, LLC
Name:
Date:
Restating the Claim
Original Claims
Pretzels are better than
potato chips.
Ironically, in a surprising
ending to the fascinating
short story, “The Most
Dangerous Game,” Rainsford
once again assumes the
position of hunter and in turn
kills Zaroff, proving that
ultimately he does not value
human life.
Zaroff eagerly anticipates his
newest challenge, preying
upon a fellow hunter,
Rainsford. Though they have
hunting in common, what
sets the two characters apart
is Rainsford’s clear respect
for human life.
The powerful connection
between the speaker and
Annabel Lee in Edgar Allan
Poe’s haunting poem
demonstrates that true love is
entirely possible at a young
age.
©2018 EB Academic Camps, LLC
Your Restated Claims
Name:
Date:
Summarizing EvidenCe
Directions: Read through the sample Response to Literature for Charlotte’s Web below. You have been given an
introduction and two body paragraphs, but the conclusion is missing. Your task is to practice writing the
conclusion by 1) restating the claim in new words, and 2) summarizing the evidence. But, before you do all of this,
label all the elements of the intro paragraph (TAG, summary, and claim) and all the elements in the body
paragraphs (premise, introduction to evidence, evidence, and justification). This will help you easily identify the
claim that needs to be restated and the evidence that needs to be summarized.
The question for this RTL was:
What qualities of a good friend does Charlotte demonstrate?
In E.B. White’s classic fantasy novel, Charlotte’s Web, a young pig named Wilbur is frightened that he will
become Christmas dinner at the Zuckerman Farm. Charlotte, a clever spider who lives with Wilbur in the barn, promises
to do everything she can to save Wilbur from his fate. As she creates a plan to spin flattering words about Wilbur in her
web, she develops a friendship with him. Throughout the novel, Charlotte clearly exhibits qualities of a good
friend.
To begin with, Charlotte is kind, which is an essential quality of a good friend. When the lamb in the barn teases
Wilbur about his bad smell, Charlotte notices his embarrassment and says, “Let Wilbur alone! He has a perfect right to
smell, considering his surroundings. You’re no bundle of sweet peas yourself” (White 61). Charlotte shows kindness and
defends Wilbur, demonstrating support for her friend. Since she is so kind to him, Wilbur knows he candepend on her to help
save him, which clearly shows she is a good friend.
Furthermore, Charlotte is selfless, an important quality of a good friend. Even though Charlotte is concerned
about traveling to the fair because she is going to lay her eggs, she decides to help Wilbur. She says, “I have decided togo
with Wilbur. He may need me” (White 122). She is putting Wilbur’s needs ahead of her own. She wants to support him and
be a good friend by going with him to the fair, although she said it would be easier for her to stay at the Zuckerman barn.
A good friend, like Charlotte, is selfless because they think of the other person (or animal) first andwant to do what is best
for them.
CONCLUSION
First, restate the claim in different words (this is highlighted in BOLD above):
Charlotte shows qualities of a good friend
Then, summarize the two pieces of evidence in your own words:
Charlotte shows qualities of a good friend when the lamb in the barn
teases Wilbur about his bad smell Charlotte protects him.
Charlotte shows selfless because even though Charlotte is concerned
about traveling the fair because she is going to lay her eggs,she
decides to help Wilbur.
©2018 EB Academic Camps, LLC
Name:
Date:
Summarizing EvidenCe
Directions: Read through the sample Response to Literature for “Gift of the Magi” below. Complete this
assignment in the same way you did for the Charlotte’s Web Summarizing Evidence Practice.
The question for this RTL was:
Who makes a larger sacrifice for the other, Jim or Della?
“The Gift of the Magi” a short story by O. Henry tells the heartfelt tale of Jim and Della, a married couple living
in poverty, who selflessly give up their most prized possessions to purchase a gift for the other. Jim willinglypeddles his
gold watch that had been passed down through the generations to purchase hair combs for his wife, who ironically sells her
hair to buy a platinum watch chain for him. Although both Jim and Della make a large sacrifice for the other, Jim
makes the most generous sacrifice in selling his gold watch.
To start with, Jim’s sacrifice is more substantial than Della’s because his watch held extreme sentimental value.
As O. Henry portrays when discussing the two most prized possessions of the couple, “One was Jim’s gold watch that had
been his father’s and his grandfather’s.” Obviously, Jim’s watch had been passed down to him through the generations
and holds truly a meaningful value to him - one that cannot simply be replaced with any other gold watch. Because the
meaning and emotional attachment to the gold watch can never be replaced, this makes Jim’s sacrifice greater than
Della’s.
Although Della’s surrendering of her hair is intensely difficult, ultimately, her hair will grow back, making her
sacrifice transient. Due to the fact that forfeiting her hair is temporary and Jim’s loss is permanent, Jim, therefore, makes
the larger sacrifice of the two. Even Della, herself, acknowledges the fact that her hair will grow back, exclaiming, “‘My
hair grows so fast, Jim!’” (O. Henry). Selling her hair is still a noble action that demonstrates herlove for her husband, but
when being measured against Jim’s gesture, it simply does not compare. Therefore, this makes Jim’s selflessness all the
more apparent and his sacrifice the larger of the two.
©2018 EB Academic Camps, LLC
CONCLUSION
First, restate the claim in different words (this is highlighted in BOLD above):
Jim make the most generous sacrifice
Then, summarize the two pieces of evidence in your own words:
Jims gold watch was better because it had more value
Della's hair can grow back, but Jim cannot get his watch back again