Claims need evidence — Language, 11–13 years
Learn to separate what someone says from the evidence that makes it believable. Language, 11–13 years.
A claim is not proof
A claim is the main thing someone wants you to accept, such as “Our school should plant more trees.” Evidence is the support behind it: facts, observations, examples, or reliable sources. Strong communication makes the claim clear and shows how the evidence connects to it.
Why support matters
People can sound certain and still be wrong. Evidence gives others a way to check an idea instead of relying only on confidence, popularity, or a dramatic picture. This matters whenever a decision affects other people, from a class project to a public message.
Connect a claim to facts
Claim: “The library should open during lunch.” Evidence: “Last week, 18 pupils used the library at lunch, but 11 had to leave when it closed.” Reasoning: the number of users and the missed time suggest a real need. The evidence supports the claim, even though it does not prove every pupil agrees.
The loud example
A common mistake is to treat one striking example as enough evidence for a general claim. It feels convincing because a vivid story is easy to remember. Ask how many cases were checked, whether the source is trustworthy, and whether the evidence really matches the size of the claim.
Where this helps
You use claims and evidence in debates, reviews, presentations, news articles, adverts, and online posts. Before sharing a strong statement, look for the source and the exact fact behind it. When writing, make it easy for readers to see why your evidence supports your point.
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