Claim ~ Evidence ~ Reasoning ~ Conclusion
Connections that yield Conclusions
 The
scientific problem you are trying to
answer
• The scientific problem that drives all
investigations and learning
• Think about what you are trying to learn and
understand
• Consider the variables you are learning more
about
• What are you studying? What is the
research/experiment about?
 What
is the effect of type of light on plant
growth?
• Think about what you are trying to learn and
understand
 We are trying to learn more about types of light and how
they affect plant growth
• Consider the variables you are learning more about
 The variables are: type of light (IV) & plant growth (DV)
• What are you studying? What is the
research/experiment about?
 We are studying how different types of light may increase
or decrease how fast or how much a plant grows
 The
statement or conclusion that answers
the original question/problem
• Consider the observations you already have
• Consider the experimental and book research
• Re-consider the variables and their relationship
to each other
• This is like your hypothesis ~ based on the
available evidence

What could YOU claim? Remember the
original question: What is the effect of
type of light on plant growth?
• Consider the observations you already have
• Consider the experimental and book research
• Re-consider the variables and their relationship
to each other
 State
the question being posed
 State the claim you are testing
 This should be 2-3 sentences long!
 The
scientific data related/connected to the
claim
• Consider quantitative AND qualitative evidence
• Consider the evidence that supports & denies the
claim
• Consider your experiment and the experiments
completed by other qualified scientists
• Include appropriate and relevant evidence to
support your claim
• Include enough evidence to be convincing ~ you
should include a MINIMUM of TWO (2) pieces of
evidence to demonstrate mastery. THREE (3) pieces of
evidence is going above and beyond and could earn
you a 4!
 The
justification that connects the
evidence to the claim
• Explain WHY the evidence is good evidence
• Apply scientific thinking and reasoning to make
the connections between the evidence and the
claim
• Explain if the claim is supported or denied
based on each piece of evidence
 State
each piece of evidence in its own
paragraph. The evidence can support or deny
the claim!
 Explain the reasoning that supports each
piece of evidence in the same paragraph!
• Explain why this evidence is relevant and important
• Explain the connection(s) between the evidence, the
claim, and the question
• This should be a well-developed paragraph of 4-6
sentences that includes appropriate transition words!
 Wraps
up the connections between the
claim, the evidence, and the reasoning
 Analyzes the validity, quality, and
credibility of the evidence
 Determines if the claim is accurate
(supported or denied)
 Restate the claim being discussed
 State your opinion of the claim (being sure to keep the
- is it a justified and accurate
scientific statement?
 Discuss the validity of the work being
critiqued – is it reliable and trustworthy?
 Discuss why the claim, evidence, and overall
work is interesting to you.
 Anything else to add? Insert it here! 
 This should be a well-developed paragraph of
4-6 sentences!
writing in 3rd person!)