Scaffolding for 8th grade writers

1. Example: 1
A traffic roundabout should be
constructed at Sardis Road and Fran Mar Drive
2
because 3
it will reduce the number of traffic
accidents at the current intersection.
Explanation:
1=claim
2=connecting word BECAUSE
3=Reason A

2. 1
According to a 2016 study from the National
Transportation Safety Board, “Roundabouts
typically reduces injury crashes by 75 percent at
intersections where stop signs or signals were
previously used for traffic control” 2
(“You Might
Be Wrong about Roundabouts”).
Explanation:
1=I introduced the idea/textual evidence (The “I” in ICE) with wording of my own
2=
 I cited the title of the article with quotation marks inside the parenthetical reference.
 I put the punctuation outside the parentheses. (The “C” in ICE).

3. Clearly, a roundabout could create a significant reduction in
traffic accidents and provide a safer travel experience for the
many children, parents, and teachers who travel through the
Sardis Road and Fran Mar Drive on a daily basis 180 days of
the year.
Explanation: My explanation helps support my reason A and
consequently my claim. I am connecting the data of the textual evidence
back to Reason A.

4. 1
In addition, 2
roundabouts reduce the chances of
collision accidents because “Roads entering a
roundabout are gently curved to direct drivers into the
intersection and help them travel counterclockwise
around the roundabout, thus reducing the chances of a
head-on or T-bone collision” 3
(“Roundabout Benefits”).
Explanation:
1=Transition phrase
2= I introduced the idea/textual evidence (The “I” in ICE) with wording of my own
3:
 I cited the title of the article with quotation marks inside the parenthetical reference.
 I put the punctuation outside the parentheses. (The “C” in ICE).

5. The current intersection of Sardis Road and Fran Mar Drive is currently
not perpendicular, and consequently, cars are darting in and out of the
crooked intersection from varying angles and consequently creating a
dangerous situation for drivers. A roundabout with the gentle curves
would remove the current road configuration that makes it more likely
someone could have a car accident.
NOTE: If you need two sentences to do the commentary/explaining, it is perfectly fine
to do so. This example has TWO sentences.
Explanation: My explanation helps support my reason A and consequently my claim.
I am connecting the data of the textual evidence back to Reason A.

6. 1
Undoubtedly, a 2
roundabout at Sardis Road and Fran Mar Drive
will reduce collisions 3
because they are safer than stop signs or
traffic lights, and the gentle curve of a roundabout reduces the
odds of a head-on collision or T-bone collision for students, parents,
and teachers who travel through this intersection daily during the
school year.
Explanation:
1=Transition Word
2=Reason A
3=Summarizing my two key pieces of evidence