CERCA Paragraph Writing
Interactive Presentation

Do you believe the themes planned for this week embody the spirit of the school? Answer this question in a welldeveloped CERCA paragraph.

Claim
The claim is something you are attempting to prove as you make an argument. You can also add a
counterclaim to strengthen your claim.
Talk in your groups for five minutes about possible claims and counterclaims. Next, write a claim that responds to the prompt.

Claim
Many CHSAS students feel that the activities planned during Spirit Week help fuel school pride, but these undertakings simply do not based on the fact that we are a school without an ethos, or guiding beliefs.

Evidence
Provide evidence from the text to support your claim.
Talk in your groups for five minutes about possible evidence. Next, provide evidence that supports your claim.

Evidence
Days such as “Twin Day” or “Sports or College Wear Day” support the notion that the character of our school is on a journey without a destination, a ship without a captain.

Reasoning
What reasons support your claim? You must explain your reasoning to link your evidence to the claim.
Talk in your groups for five minutes about possible reasons that support your claim.
Next, provide reasoning that supports your claim.

Reasoning
These days do nothing to define our character or celebrate our values; they are merely distractions hiding behind the guise of spirit provoking activities.

Counterargument/Conclusion
Include at least one good reason why others might disagree or offer an alternative point of view. If you used a counterclaim in your first claim statement, readdress it in an intelligent statement.
Talk in your groups for five minutes about possible counterarguments. Next, include the counterargument with an answer to it in your concluding statement.

Counterargument/Conclusion
What does it mean to be a CHSAS student? This question can be answered many different ways because our school does not provide a clear mission for students, and if it has, does not help students discover it through purposeful endeavors during
Spirit Week.

Audience
Make sure that you are using language that is appropriate for the audience and occasion.
Check to see if your language is appropriate for your audience and occasion.

Audience
Occasion: Spirit Week at CHSAS
Audience: Those who believe spirit week embodies the spirit of the school