How to Build an Argument That Actually Works

Everyone argues. About homework. About screen time. About whether school should start later.

But not all arguments actually work.

A strong argument isn’t about being loud, dramatic, or stubborn. It’s about being clear, supported, and logical. One of the simplest and most effective ways to do this is using a structure called CER:

Claim. Evidence. Reasoning.

Let’s break it down with a real, middle-school-relevant example.

Step 1: Start with a Clear Claim

Your claim is what you are trying to prove. It should be specific and clear.

Weak claim: School is bad.

Stronger claim: Schools should start later in the morning.

Notice the difference. The second claim is something someone could actually agree or disagree with.

A good test: Can someone ask, “Do I agree or disagree?”

Step 2: Support It with Evidence

Evidence is the proof that supports your claim.

This can include:

• Statistics

• Studies

• Expert opinions

• Real-world examples

What evidence is typically not:

• “I think”

• “Everyone knows”

• “My friend said”

Let’s add evidence to our claim.

Claim: Schools should start later in the morning.

Evidence: Studies show that teenagers need more sleep than adults, and early school start times often prevent students from getting enough rest.

This evidence gives your argument credibility. It shows that you’re backing up an opinion rather than simply stating it.

Step 3: Explain It with Reasoning (Important!)

This is where many arguments fall apart.

Reasoning explains why the evidence supports your claim. It connects the dots for your audience.

Without reasoning, your argument sounds like a list of facts with no meaning.

Let’s finish the argument.

Claim: Schools should start later in the morning.

Evidence: Studies show that teenagers need more sleep than adults, and early school start times often prevent students from getting enough rest.

Reasoning: Since lack of sleep negatively affects focus, memory, and mental health, starting school later would help students learn more effectively and perform better academically.

Now the argument works. You didn’t just say what the evidence is, you explained why it matters.

The Full CER Argument

Here’s the full version put together:

Schools should start later in the morning. Studies show that teenagers need more sleep than adults, and early school start times often prevent students from getting enough rest. Since lack of sleep negatively affects focus, memory, and mental health, starting school later would help students learn more effectively and perform better academically.

That’s a complete, strong argument.

Why CER Works So Well

CER helps you:

• Organize your thoughts clearly

• Avoid emotional or messy arguments

• Convince people who don’t already agree with you

• Speak and write more confidently

This structure works everywhere:

• Classroom discussions

• Essays

• Debates

• Conversations with teachers, parents, or friends

Try It Yourself

Pick a topic you care about and try this sentence frame:

• Claim: Because __________, we should __________.

• Evidence: A study/example shows that __________.

• Reasoning: This matters because __________.

If you can clearly explain all three parts, you’re already thinking like a strong communicator.