✍️ Preliminary Cause Claim & Rationale

Individually, students write a clear preliminary claim answering the arguable question about the most significant cause of the Revolution. They complete a short template including: (1) their main claim, (2) two brief reasons supporting it, (3) one opposing viewpoint they think is strongest, and (4) a 3–4 sentence rationale explaining why their position currently makes the most sense. Students underline signal words that show cause-and-effect reasoning.