CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1c

ELA6th GradeText Types and Purposes

The Standard

Use words, phrases, and clauses to clarify the relationships among claim(s) and reasons.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students connect claims and reasons so readers can follow the argument. They use words, phrases, and clauses that show cause, examples, addition, contrast, or results.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student writes an argument in which each reason clearly connects to the claim. The student chooses words such as "because," "for example," and "therefore" based on the relationship between ideas.
Common Misconceptions: Students may add transition words randomly or repeat the same one in every sentence. They may confuse cause and result, using words like "because" and "therefore" in the wrong places.
How to Assess It: Give students a claim and three reasons. Ask them to connect the ideas in a short paragraph using at least three accurate linking words or phrases.

Lesson moves

Give groups claim, reason, and transition cards, then have them arrange the cards into clear arguments and read them aloud.
Compare two short arguments with different transitions, then ask students which version is clearer and why.
Play a transition sort game where students place linking words under cause, example, addition, contrast, or result.
Have students write a proposal for one school change, connecting their claim and reasons with accurate linking words.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1c, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Learning progression

If students are struggling here, check these first.

Mastery here sets students up for these next.

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