BK Writing Lab

 

CEWBRT  Argumentative Paragraph Graphic Organizer

CLAIM | EVIDENCE | WARRANT | BACKING | REBUTTAL | THINK-FORWARD

 

PROMPT: Fill in your instructor’s prompt here. You must make sure that your claim is a direct response to this prompt. 

 

CEWBRT: 3-Step Identification of Claim

 

Step 1 Identify the title and author.

 

Step 2 Recycle words from the prompt in your claim.

 

Step 3 Make your claim.

 

1) In ______________________________________________ by ___________________________________________, 

                                          title                                                           author

 

2) ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

                                                                         recycled prompt words  

 

3) by/through/because ________________________________________________________________________.

                                                      rationale/position/claim

 

CEWBRT: 4-Step Citing Evidence 

 

Step 1 - Use a transition word or phrase.

 

Step 2 - Give a summary/reference point.

 

Step 3 - Insert evidence directly or indirectly.

 

Step 4 - Include the in-text citation.

1) To clarify,/To illustrate,/Specifically,/When the author states.../For instance,/___________,

                          other

 

2) ________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                                                                    reference point

 

3) “______________________________________________________________________________________________”

                                                                                           evidence

 

4) (________________________________________________________).

                                          Publisher’s name

 

CEWBRT: 3-Step Warrant (explanation of evidence)

 

Step 1 - Use a transition word or phrase.

 

Step 2 - Use prior knowledge and logic to link the claim and the evidence.

 

Step 3 - Provide a reason why the link is true.

 

1) It is evident that..../Clearly/From...the reader concludes.../_________________________________

                        other

 

2) _______________________________________________________________________________________________.

                                                              link between the claim and the evidence 

 

3) The reason is that ___________________________________________________________________________.      

                                                                                synthesized reason why the link is true 

 

CEWBRT: 3-Step Backing (Defense)

 

Step 1 - Use a transition word or phrase.

 

Step 2 - Connect back to the claim. 

 

Step 3 - Build off the connection in an explanation by coupling it with prior 

   knowledge. Consider using an analogy.

 

1) It is important to note.../To elaborate,/Moreover/Likewise,/______________________________,

                    other

 

2) _______________________________________________________________________________________________.

                                                                                  connection statement

 

3) Clearly,/For example,/Stated differently,  ___________________________________________________

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________.      

                                                                        build-off statement/analogy

 

CEWBRT: 3-Step Rebuttal

 

Step 1: Make a generalization about the opposition in the form of an independent 

 clause. 

 

Step 2: Insert a transition word that shows a shift in thinking.

 

Step 3: Write a second independent clause that refutes the 1st independent clause. 

 Consider using evidence from a different source.

 

Step 4 (OPTIONAL): Include the in-text citation. 

 

1) ________________________________________________________________________________________________

generalization about the opposition

 

2) , but ; however,        ; on the other hand,   ; conversely,

 

3) ________________________________________________________________________________________________

refutation of the 1st clause

 

4) ( ___________________________________________).

                              In-text citation

 

CEWBRT: 2-Option Think Forward

 

OPTION 1: If/When-then statement

 

1) If/When _____________________________________________________________________________________,

                                                            possible real-world scenario related to the text

 

2) then __________________________________________________________________________________________.

                                        likely consequence of the action that is not too broad or specific       

 

OPTION 2: Make a declarative statement that EITHER gives the reader a takeaway to mull over OR calls the reader to action. NOTE: This cannot be an imperative sentence (command) or an interrogative sentence (question).

 

Suffice it to say,/All in all,/Thus, _______________________________________________________________

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________.

 

Retype each section of the technique separately. Be sure to include the suggested words. 

 

C

E

W

B

R

T

Note: This structure is adapted from the work of Stephen Toulmin. See Sources of Argument (2003).

If you have any questions, send us an email at bkwritinglab@bishopkennyhs.org!

Image Credit: Structure by Humantech from the Noun Project