Claim-Support-Conclusion Worksheet PART ONE: For the following paragraphs label the following:1) Claim/Topic Sentence 2) All Supporting Sentences 3) Transition Words 4) Concluding Sentence In the world of tomorrow, teaching machines will take in account different learning rates, working only as fast (or as slowly) as the students using them. First, they will offer the child individual attention. Second, they will possibly offer more patience than could be expected from the average teacher. Thirdly, they will offer immediate feedback so that children know how well they are doing and can take pride in their progress. Finally, the machines will help make learning fun. Beavers do a lot of good work when they build their dams in the right places. First, beaver dams slow down the rush of water in brooks and streams. Brooks that otherwise would dry up in the summer flow all year 'round if a beaver dam is built across them. Next, the trees and bushes near the brooks have enough moisture to grow well. Their roots hold the soil so it does not wash away. Also, wells that usually dry up in the summer hold water all year when beavers are put to work on nearby streams. In conclusion, beaver dams can be really helpful when they are in the right places. PART TWO: Consider the following supports for the claim/topic sentence; "Adolescent suicide affects the families of the victim in many negative ways." Which three supports should be included in the C-S-C paragraph? Put a star (*) next to the three most appropriate supports. 1. According to Arnold Kiev in his recent book The Courage To Live, parents feel that suicide is a sign that they have failed as parents. 2. According to William L. Coleman, author of the book Understanding Suicide, 71 percent of youths who commit suicide come from broken homes. 3. An article in USA Today stated that families that have experienced the suicide of a family member suffer financial instability. 4. In addition, Time magazine says that suicide is the third leading killer of teenagers between 15 and 19, and the numbers have increased 20% since 1977 and 200% since 1950. 5. Furthermore, many psychiatrists point to statistics demonstrating that certain other family members might even attempt suicide themselves because of guilt feelings concerning the suicide of an adolescent member. PART THREE: Go back and write what you think would be a good claim/topic sentence for each of the supports you did not star (*) in PART TWO. You can write these sentences underneath the UNUSED supports. PART FOUR: In each exercise below you are given the claim/topic sentence for the paragraph and five possible supports. You will need to make a choice and star (*) those sentences that offer the strongest support for the claim/topic sentence. Claim/Topic Sentence: Smoking can cause social problems. __It is becoming more common for employers to ask job applicants if they smoke. __Evidence proves that there are health hazards from tobacco smoke not only to the smoker but to the non-smoker as well, a fact that may cause even more anger between the two groups. __Many non-smokers prefer not to date smokers because of the obvious odors associated with smoking. __Public opinion is shifting towards a negative view of smokers resulting in disagreements between smokers and non-smokers when non-smokers make jokes about smokers or when smokers are inconsiderate enough to smoke in non-smoking areas. __Smoking can cause serious health problems. Claim/Topic Sentence: There are great physical benefits for the person who exercises at least three times a week. __Exercise improves agility and coordination, which in turn increase stamina and endurance. __Exercise reduces stress and increases a person's ability to cope with stress. __Exercise gives a person confidence and improves self-image. __Exercise reduces the amount of fat on the body giving the person a more natural shape. __When a person exercises, their whole cardiovascular system is improved. PART FIVE: Now you are to choose one claim/topic sentence. On a separate piece of paper, write the complete C-S-C paragraph for the claim/topic sentence you've chosen, adding transitions wherever appropriate and including a conclusion sentence, which you will need to write. Remember, you have the claim/topic sentence and supports; all you need to add are transitions and conclusions.