Identifying Claims in an Argument

A claim is

• a question

• a statement

A claim is

• general

• specific

A claim is

• an opinion

• a fact

• debatable

A claim should be proven with

• clues

• evidence

• opinions

Identify the sentence as a claim or not a claim.

Banning semi-automatic weapons would reduce mass shootings.

• Not a claim

• Claim

Identify the sentence as a claim or not a claim.

Should students be allowed to wear what they want to school?

• Not a claim

• Claim

Claims are like

• conclusions

• thesis statements

• similes

Choose the strong claim from the choices below:

• I believe that students should be able to choose their own schedules.
• Students should not be able to choose their own schedules.
• Should students be able to choose their own schedules? Yes!
• Sometimes it would be ok for students to choose their own schedules.

All of the following claims are strong EXCEPT:

• Schools should limit the amount of homework given to students.
• Dress codes should be more strict in schools.
• Should schools limit homework?
• School dress codes are beneficial.

What is weak evidence? 

• A fact
• Uncle Bob's opinion 
• An expert opinion 
• A statistic