How to Support a Thesis using CCQC’s Name______________Per.____
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COMPONENTS OF A CCQC (Claim, Context, Quotation, Commentary)
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CLAIM
CONTEXT
QUOTATION
COMMENTARY
-Arguable
(not a
given fact)
Supportabl
e
-1
sentence,
usually
-Introduces
quotation
-Explains where it
appears in the story
-1-2 sentences
-Supports claim
-Set off by “ ”;
page number
goes after
quotation in ( ).
-Explains/analyzes connection between
claim and quotation
-2-6 sentences.
-Contains transition to next CCQC in an essay
What are the similarities and differences between a Claim and a Thesis?
• Both a Claim and a Thesis make an argument.
• A Claim supports a Thesis; it is one of the reasons why your Thesis is correct. Most of the time you need
to have 3 - 4 Claims to back up your Thesis. !
Sample Single Support Paragraph—CCQC—from The Odyssey
Out of all the physical trials Odysseus faces, his biggest challenge is nothing more than getting over
his own pride. Upon arriving in the Underworld on his long journey, Odysseus and his men meet a shade
named Tiresias who knows Odysseus’ hubris often gets him in trouble. He also knows that this pride could
put Odysseus in grave situations in the future, so he warns, “One narrow straight may take you through his
blows: denial of self and restraint of shipmates (162).” This advice urges Odysseus to lead his shipmates very
firmly without becoming too self-righteous. If he follows this guidance his crew will most likely make it
through a tough trial. These qualities Tiresias tells Odysseus to acquire can be seen in any successful leader;
they must be able empower their citizens and provide hope in dark times. Often times this requires giving up
a large ego or status and devoting one’s self to important responsibilities. Even though Odysseus is a war
hero and the smartest man in Greece he must become more humble before he can be called a truly great
leader.
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CLAIM
CONTEXT
QUOTATION COMMENTARY
-Arguable
(not a
given fact)
Supportabl
e
-1
sentence,
usually
-Introduces
quotation
-Explains where it
appears in the story
1-2 sentences
-Supports
claim
-Set off by “
”; page
number goes
after quotation
in ( ).
-Explains/analyzes connection between
claim and quotation
-2-6 sentences.
-Contains transition to next CCQC in an essay
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What are the similarites and differences between a Claim and a Thesis?
• Both a Claim and a Thesis make an argument.
• A Claim supports a Thesis; it is one of the reasons why your Thesis is correct. Most of the time you need
to have 3 - 4 Claims to back up your Thesis. !
Sample Double Evidence Paragraph—CCQC\CQC—from The Handmaid’s Tale
Isolating the women and turning them against each other is the most successful way the controllers of
Gilead are able to keep women from questioning their place in society. When the women find even the
smallest ways to unite they remember how things used to be, and they gain a little bit of power. For instance,
during one of their walks, Ofglen and Offred finally look at each other face to face and begin to speak. After
their hurried whispers Offred says, “But I can’t believe it; hope is rising in me, like sap in a tree. Blood in a
wound. We have made an opening (169).” This small human connection in a world full of routine and
formalities gives Offred the hope she had almost lost. Offred gains even more hope when she gets into a
sticky situation with Cora, a Martha in her household. They could get each other in trouble, but instead they
decide to help each other out. Offred says, “It pleased me that she was willing to lie for me, even in such a
small thing, even for her own advantage. It was a link between us (152).” Once again Offred expresses the
relief she finds in another human connection. Both of the newfound friendships bring back memories of
everything she has lost from her previous life--memories that the rulers of Gilead are trying bury in order to
prevent uprisings. They also bring the possibility of acquiring more information about other women in the
community and the outside world. If the women of Gilead stay informed and connected, rather than isolated,
they have more power. They have the combined strength to fight back. CLAIM
CONTEXT
QUOTATION
COMMENTARY
-Arguable
(not a
given fact)
Supportabl
e
-1
sentence,
usually
-Introduces
quotation
-Explains where it
appears in the story
-1-2 sentences
-Supports claim
-Set off by “ ”;
page number
goes after
quotation in ( ).
-Explains/analyzes connection between
claim and quotation
-2-6 sentences.
-Contains transition to next CCQC in an essay
What are the similarites and differences between a Claim and a Thesis?
• Both a Claim and a Thesis make an argument.
• A Claim supports a Thesis; it is one of the reasons why your Thesis is correct. Most of the time you need
to have 3 - 4 Claims to back up your Thesis. •
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Sample Triple Evidence Paragraph—CCQC\CQC\CQC—from All the King’s Men
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Tom Talos’s football accident turns Willie’s entire political outlook around because he
realizes that everything important in his life can come crumbling down in an instant. From the
moment of the accident to the point when Adam informs him that Tom is completely paralyzed,
Willie tries to maintain some sense of power over the situation. Jack says that during the game,
“The Boss followed every play…There was about as much sporting chance in the process as in
betting on whether or not water runs downhill. But the Boss cheered every time we made it three
yards (514).” Acting as though everything is fine gives Willie the illusion that he had complete
control over the situation and that his son was indestructible. Even when he finds out the severity of
Tom’s accident in the hospital, he says things to reassure himself. At one point he exclaims, “ ‘I am
going to name the new hospital for him. For Tom. I’m going to call it the Tom Talos Hospital and
Medical Center (531).” Although Willie knows that naming a hospital after his son will not fix Tom’s
broken neck, it gives him comfort to know that he still has the power to make important decisions.
When Adam finally delivers the bad news, however, Willie can no longer deny his son’s fate. Tom
was the only thing besides power that he cared about, and the accident stripped him of both at once.
Jack compares the profound effect this had on Willie to the weather on the day he goes back to
work. He describes, “ Even the sky itself had a pale, washed, relieved look, like the look on the face
of a person who has been sick a long time and no+-w feels better…That wasn’t exactly the look on
the Boss’s face when he came in, but it gives some idea of what that look was (537).” This washed
clean look reflects the change Willie has gone through and new political direction he takes. In the
days that follow he tries to redeem himself by reclaiming the hospital contract and ending all of the
affairs he has with different women.
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Sample Triple Evidence Paragraph—CCQC\CQC\CQC—from The Catcher in the
Rye
Claim (topic sentence):
Unable to grow up successfully, Holden is anxious about the innocence and welfare of those whom
he sees as representing the idealized world of childhood; therefore, he feels he must protect them.
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Quotation #1 Context (note transition from claim):
For example, Holden worries about the vulnerability of his friend, Jane Gallagher, who goes on a
date with his roommate, Stradlater, known for being sexually aggressive with girls.
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Quotation #1: (Introduce the quotation before you quote; note the snippets of quotations.)
During this incident, Holden claims that he was “so nervous [he] almost went crazy” and “so damn
worried” to the point that“[he doesn’t] want to interrupt [his] worrying to go” to the bathroom
(40). He is worried because he has double-dated with Stradlater, and he has seen Stradlater be
“unscrupulous” when it comes to pushing girls to have sex with him (40). !
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Quotation #1 Commentary/Analysis: (How does the quote “prove” your point?)
Holden used to live next door to Jane and play checkers with her; he claims that she has had a
“lousy childhood” (33). He worries that her innocence is at risk, especially when it comes to a
sexual predator like Stradlater. He takes on a parental role even in the absence of a current
relationship with her.
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Quotation #2 Context (note transition):
In fact, Holden is so protective of Jane that he gets in a fight with Stradlater over the fact that he
won’t tell her whether he “gave her the time” or not.
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Quotation #2: (Introduce the quotation before you quote.)
Holden tells him that he “didn’t even care whether a girl kept all her kings in the back row or not,
and the reason he didn’t care was because he was a goddamn stupid moron” (44).
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Quotation #2 Commentary/Analysis:
Holden is referring to how Jane used to play chess, and he is implying that Stradlater has taken
advantage of a girl who is vulnerable and should be kept safe—someone from his idealized
childhood. Holden takes a punch in the face from Stradlater because he can not reduce his anxiety
over the idea that Jane’s innocence may have been lost.
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Quotation #3 Context (note transition):
Furthermore, Holden’s struggles with growing up are symbolized by his need to be protective of the
ducks in Central Park during the winter, when it seems that they don’t have anywhere to go.
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Quotation #3: While speaking with Mr. Spencer, Holden’s history teacher, he thinks to himself, “I was wondering
about where the ducks went when the lagoon got all icy and frozen over. I wondered if some guy
came in a truck and took them away to a zoo or something. Or if they flew away” (13).
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Quotation #3 Commentary/Analysis:
Holden is worried about the ducks because they seem vulnerable—their natural habitat, the lake,
seems to be hostile to the way they live. In addition, it seems like they don’t have anywhere to go,
and he wants to know whether they will be taken care of—hopefully, either by the zoo or by flying
away naturally. In the same way, he tries to protect the vulnerable Jane (as he perceives) from a
world of Stradlaters.
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Concluding Sentence: (Restate your claim in a new way that builds from the initial claim).
Holden’s obsession with preserving innocence and keeping things the same spurs him to take on the
role of protector. The impossibility of this task leads to Holden’s perpetual state of anxiety as he
struggles to cope with growing up.