Same Social studies › Writing about history › Claim and evidence in history
How does claim and evidence work in history?
In history, kids answer a question with a claim (their answer), evidence from sources (a quote, fact or number, with where it came from) and reasoning (how the evidence proves the claim, using what they know about the time). It's the same CER used in science, with documents instead of data.
- Claim: a direct answer to the question.
- Evidence: from the documents, with the source named.
- Reasoning: explains why the evidence proves it.
Why schools teach it
History answers are arguments
Students organize evidence into a coherent argument about the past (C3 D2.His.16.6-8) and write arguments with claims and relevant evidence (WHST.6-8.1). CER is the short version of that argument, and the building block of a DBQ essay.
Our CER guide in writing covers the science version. The steps are the same.
At the kitchen table
What to say, and what to skip
Say this
What's your answer in one sentence?
ClaimWhich document proves it? Quote or name it.
EvidenceHow does that prove your claim?
ReasoningIs there evidence from a second document?
Skip this
- Evidence with no source named.Say which document: “In Document A, ...”
- Summarizing the document instead of using it.Pick only the part that proves the claim.
- Reasoning that repeats the evidence.Explain what it shows about the question.
See it in action
Why did colonists protest the Stamp Act?
Claim
Colonists protested because they were taxed without having a say.Evidence
The Declaration of Independence lists “imposing Taxes on us without our Consent” as a wrong.Reasoning
Colonists had no representatives in Parliament, so they saw the tax as taking their rights.
Many teachers call the full version RACES or ACE in social studies too.
Free practice sheet
Make a claim and evidence sheet
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Parents: tell your child's teacher about this guide
Parents also ask
Is this the same as CER in science?
Yes, with documents instead of experiment data.
How many pieces of evidence?
Usually two, from different documents.
Can evidence be a number from a chart?
Yes, if you say where it came from.
What's the difference between evidence and reasoning?
Evidence is what the source says. Reasoning is why that proves your claim.