Level 1 — Foundation · Clauses & the First Paragraph
Task 16: Attributing a Claim With a That-Clause
Write a sentence that names a source, chooses a reporting verb of the right strength, and states a claim in a that-clause — the exact structure Lesson 16 taught you to take apart when reading.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this task, you should be able to:
- Write a 'source + reporting verb + that-clause' sentence that correctly attributes a claim
- Choose a reporting verb whose strength matches how confidently the claim should be made
- Tell a that-clause (a noun clause) apart from a relative clause when writing your own sentence
Introduction
Lesson 16 taught you to split a claim into its source, reporting verb, and content. Writing one yourself means making a real decision the reading task never asked of you: exactly which reporting verb fits how confident you actually are.
The Rule, for Writing
Core Concept
Build the sentence in order: Source + reporting verb + that + claim. Pick your reporting verb by strength — show/demonstrate for a strong, well-supported claim; argue/maintain for a defended position; suggest/indicate for a more cautious interpretation. Don't default to "say" for everything — the verb you choose tells the reader how much weight to give the claim.
Example
Strong claim: The inspection report shows that the crane passed every safety check. Cautious claim: The preliminary data suggest that the new schedule reduces waiting time. Same sentence shape, different reporting verb — and a different level of confidence attached to each claim.
Your Turn
Your Turn
Write two sentences about the same topic — the effect of regular practice on English fluency. In the first, attribute a strong, well-supported claim to a source using a strong reporting verb (show, demonstrate, confirm). In the second, attribute a more cautious claim to a different source using a cautious reporting verb (suggest, indicate).
Vocabulary in Context
preliminaryadjectiveformal
happening before the main or final part; not yet complete (প্রাথমিক)
Often with preliminary results, preliminary findings, preliminary report
“The preliminary results suggest a mechanical fault, but testing continues.”
attributeverbformal
to say that something comes from a particular source or cause (আরোপ করা)
Often with attribute to, attribute the delay to, be attributed to
“The report attributes the delay to a shortage of pilots.”
Model Answer
Show a model answer
Strong claim: A recent study demonstrates that daily reading significantly improves vocabulary retention. Cautious claim: Some teachers suggest that shorter, more frequent practice sessions may work better than one long session.
Self-Check
Self-Check
- Does each sentence follow the order source + reporting verb + that + claim?
- Does your chosen reporting verb genuinely match how confident the claim is meant to sound?
- Is the "that" in each sentence introducing a complete claim, not describing a noun the way a relative clause would?
- Did you write both sentences directly in English, without translating from Bangla first?
Next: Writing 17 — Writing a Properly Hedged Claim: choosing exactly the right modal or hedging phrase so a written claim doesn't overstate what the evidence supports.