Claim/Thesis

What is a claim?

• what draws people in and initially grabs their attention

• the message and overall moral idea applicable to multiple stories

• the main idea of the piece and what is being argued

• the evidence used to support your main argument

A claim is also called a ______.

Within an essay, a claim is located. . .

• within the introduction or first paragraph of the essay

• anywhere within an essay

• within the conclusion

• restated directly and fully in every single paragraph

Within a story, book, movie, etc., the claim is. . .

• immediately stated within the piece

• expressed by the piece as a whole based on the plot and actions of the characters

• not existent

• stated at the very end

A claim is similar to. . .

• an expository essay

• a metaphor

• tone

• a theme

What is wrong with the following claim? Actions are more powerful than thoughts.

• It does not state a position or opinion.

• It does not state a topic.

• It does not provide a reason for their position or opinion.

• It states evidence instead of reasoning.

What is wrong with the following claim? What someone says is more powerful than just their actions because words have a longer psychological impact, but actions also have a long lasting impact on others.

• It does not state a clear position or opinion.

• It does not state a topic.

• It does not provide a reason for their position or opinion.

• It states evidence instead of reasoning.

What is wrong with the following claim? People should always think before they do something.

• It does not state a clear position or opinion.

• It does not state a topic.

• It does not provide a reason for their position or opinion.

• It states evidence instead of reasoning.

What is wrong with the following claim? Actions are more important because Emma Gonzalez stood up for student rights.

• It does not state a clear position or opinion.

• It does not state a topic.

• It does not provide a reason for their position or opinion.

• It states evidence instead of reasoning.

What must be included within a claim to make it a claim?

• the topic from the prompt or question

• the position or opinion on the topic

• reasoning for your opinion

• examples and evidence to prove your position