How to Write a Color Coded Paragraph
And why it’s like a cheeseburger.
CLAIM (Green)
An opinion stated about a
controversial topic. Take a side, and
be ready to defend your answer.
Evidence: Facts to support your claim.
Examples: Data, statistics, observations,
occurrences, quotes, research. Keep it short
and to the point. (State your source!)
Reasoning: A deeper explanation of the
evidence to explain how it supports your
claim. Get into the details!
Conclusion (Green)
Restate your claim and bring the essay to a
close.
Example: Graphic Organizer
Prompt: Is chlorine from Ken’s water slide responsible for the fish murder?
Claim: Ken’s chlorine contributed to the fish dying.
Evidence (yellow)
(Source)
1. There were very few water fleas
downstream from the water slide.
File 5B, Test
Results.
2. Ken’s tests were unreliable.
Files 5c and 5d,
Water slide
schedule and
Emails
Reasoning
Water fleas are a bioindicator that can demonstrate
the healthiness of a river better than a chemical test.
We can infer that the chlorine is killing water fleas,
and may be killing fish as well.
Ken had his chemist the river for chlorine on
Tuesday, the day before dumping chlorine in the
river. He also discussed dumping water fleas into the
river to affect the results of the biological test.
Conclusion: Based on the evidence, I’m confident that Ken’s water slide contributed to the fish murder.
Example: Finished Essay
Ken’s chlorine contributed to the fish dying. First of all, there were very few water fleas downstream from the
water slide (5b-Test Results). Water fleas are a bioindicator that can demonstrate the healthiness of a river
better than a chemical test. We can infer that the chlorine is killing water fleas, and may be killing fish as well.
In addition, Ken’s tests were unreliable. Ken had his chemist the river for chlorine on Tuesday, the day before
dumping chlorine in the river (5c, schedule). He also discussed dumping water fleas into the river to affect the
results of the biological test (5d, emails). Based on the evidence, I’m confident that Ken’s water slide
contributed to the fish death. However, I believe we should continue investigating other sources of pollution
in Gray Area.n