Name: ______________________________________ Period: _______ Date: __________________

Evidence of Continental Drift

CER Question: What is the theory of continental drift? What evidence exists to support this
theory?

Explanation: Continental drift was a theory proposed in 1912 by Alfred Wegener which suggested

the movement of continents. This theory is a part of the concept of plate tectonics.
Continents have been drifting for hundreds of millions of years.

Instructions: There is lots of evidence that supports Wegener’s theory of continental drift. The
shapes of the continents themselves, the cross continental distribution of fossil
records belonging to similar species, locations of similar types of rock across
continents, evidence of glacial movement and the placement of various geological
formations all provide evidence that support the theory of continental drift.

Your task is to conduct research on each type of evidence. You will utilize your
research to construct a claim statement to answer the questions “What is the theory of
continental drift? What evidence exists to support this theory?” You will include a
body of evidence (drawn from your research) supporting your claim, and develop
reasoning that connects your evidence to you claim AND provides an explanation of
each piece of evidence you include.

Due Date: Outline: Thursday, November 12th, 2015

Essay: Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 (end of class)

CER 1. Introduction: Introduce Continental Drift, give background info (Alfred Wegener’s role in
discovering the pieces of evidence, Claim Statement. (At least 5 sentences)
STRUCTURE 2. First Body Paragraph: Explanation of the first piece of evidence that supports your claim.
Include a clear connection to your claim. This means your reasoning will be included with your
evidence in this paragraph. (At least 5 sentences)
3. Second Body Paragraph: Explanation of the second piece of evidence that supports your
claim. Include a clear connection to your claim. This means your reasoning will be included with
your evidence in this paragraph. (At least 5 sentences)
4. Third Body Paragraph: Explanation of the third piece of evidence that supports your claim.
Include a clear connection to your claim. This means your reasoning will be included with your
evidence in this paragraph. (At least 5 sentences)
5. Fourth Body Paragraph: Explanation of the fourth piece of evidence that supports your
claim. Include a clear connection to your claim. This means your reasoning will be included with
your evidence in this paragraph. (At least 5 sentences)
6. Conclusion Paragraph: Reword claim statement, wrap up your discussion of the
evidence (summarize your body paragraphs. (At least 5 sentences)
Evidence: Fill in your research details for each piece of evidence.
Continental Shape:
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Geologic Similarities:
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DO NOT INCLUDE:
 First Person
 “You may be wondering…”
 “I will be using…”
Fossils:
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Glacial Scarring:
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Include:
 Claim Statement (at end of intro)
 Topic sentences
 Ending/concluding sentences
 Body Paragraphs

Body Paragraph #1 Body1:Paragraph #2

Evidence Body 2:
Evidence Paragraph #3 Body Paragraph
Evidence
Evidence 3: 4: #4
(2nd Paragraph) (3rd Paragraph) (4th Paragraph) (5th Paragraph)
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Brief Explanation:
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Explanation: ____________________
Brief Explanation:
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How does this evidence support
How
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does this evidence support
your claim?
your
How claim?
does this evidence support
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your claim?
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Introduction Paragraph (1st Paragraph):
 Introducing your topic:
o Start with an explanation of continental drift.
 Make sure you include some history.
o Continuing your intro: ____________________________________________________________
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 Claim Statement:
o A claim must answer the essay question/prompt.
 Remember the essay question is: What is the theory of continental drift? What evidence exists to
support this theory?
o It must explain in one statement, your entire argument and set up your body paragraphs.
o It must go at the end of your Introduction.
o Your Claim: The theory of continental drift is _________________; it is supported by
_________________________ (Evidence #1), ___________________ (Evidence #2),
_________________ (Evidence #3), and __________________________ (Evidence #4).

Conclusion (6th Paragraph):

 Beginning of the concluding paragraph:
o It must restate the claim in different words
o Remember, use the reworded claim at the beginning of your conclusion
o Original Claim from the Introduction: _______________________________________________
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o New, reworded claim: ____________________________________________________________
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 Summarizing your argument:
o After the restated claim you need to wrap up your thoughts.
o Summarize the different body paragraphs arguments in relation to your claim.
 Body Paragraph #1: _______________________________________________________
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 Body Paragraph #2: _______________________________________________________
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 Body Paragraph #3: _______________________________________________________
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 Body Paragraph #4: _______________________________________________________
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 Include a "closer" statement that clearly and effectively brings the essay to an end:
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