Aim: How do we use

strong evidence to
support our claims?

1) Underline the
evidence.
2) Is this
example an
example of a
strong or a
weak use of
evidence?
3) Explain your
answer.

Today, we are too selfcentered. Most families no

longer sit down to eat
together, preferring
instead to eat on the go
while rushing to the next
appointment (Gleick 148).
Everything is about what
we want.

Weak
Evidence

Weak evidence do not relate

to the claim.
Weak evidence is not well
explained.

1) Underline the
evidence.
2) Is this
example an
example of a
strong or a
weak use of
evidence?
3) Explain your
answer.

Today, Americans are too selfcentered.

Even our families don't matter as much
anymore as they once did. Other people
and activities take precedence. In fact,
the evidence shows that most American
families no longer eat together, preferring
instead to eat on the go while rushing to
the next appointment (Gleick 148). Sitdown meals are a time to share and
connect with others; however, that
connection has become less valued, as
families begin to prize individual activities
over shared time, promoting selfcenteredness over group identity.

Strong
Evidence

Clear link between the claim

and the evidence.
The evidence is clearly
explained and analyzed so
the reader can understand
why this piece of evidence is
relevant.

1) Underline the
evidence.
2) Is this
example an
example of a
strong or a
weak use of
evidence?
3) Explain your
answer.

Today, we are too selfcentered. We are

consumers-on-the-run . . . the
very notion of the family meal
as a sit-down occasion is
vanishing. Adults and children
alike eat . . . on the way to
their next activity (Gleick, p.
148). Everything is about
what we want.

1) Underline the
evidence.
2) Is this
example an
example of a
strong or a
weak use of
evidence?
3) Explain your
answer.

Today, Americans are too self-centered.

Even our families don't matter as much
anymore as they once did. Other people
and activities take precedence. As
James Gleick says in his book, Faster,
We are consumers-on-the-run . . . the
very notion of the family meal as a sitdown occasion is vanishing. Adults and
children alike eat . . . on the way to their
next activity (p. 148). Sit-down meals
are a time to share and connect with
others; however, that connection has
become less valued, as families begin to
prize individual activities over shared
time, promoting self-centeredness over
group identity.

lead-in
phrase

As James Gleick says in his

book, Faster, ..
According to James Gleick,
..
James Gleick reports,
James Gleick notes, ..
James Gleick argues that .
James Gleick points out that

The authorsays . . .

The authornotes . . .

The authorbelieves . . .

The authorobserves . . .

The authorcomments . . .

The authorrelates . . .

The authordeclares . . .

The authorremarks . . .

The authordiscusses . . .

The authorreports . . .

The authorexplains . . .

The authorreveals . . .

The authorexpresses . . .

The authorstates . . .

The authormentions . . .

The authoracknowledges . . .

The authorsuggests . . .

The authorthinks . . .

The authorpoints out . . .

The authorresponds . . .

The authorshows . . .

The authorconfirms . . .

The authoragrees . . .
The authorargues . . .
The authorasserts . . .
The authorcautions . . .
The authoremphasizes .
..
The authorinsists . . .
The
authormaintains . . .
The authorclaims . . .

The authorrejects . . .
The
authorcompares . . .(th
e two studies)
The authoradmits . . .
The authordisputes . . .
The authorcontends . . .
The authordenies . . .
The authorrefutes . . .
The authorendorses . . .