What Is a Claim

Which one of these is NOT a claim?

• “Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is a play about two star crossed lovers and two warring families.”

• The governor has continually done the community a disservice by mishandling money, focusing on frivolous causes, and failing to listen to his constituents.

• Twinkies are delicious.

• Twinkies taste better than other snack cakes because of their texture, their creamy filling, and their golden appearance.

What is NOT true about a claim?

• A claim can be substantiated with research, evidence, testimony, and academic reasoning.

• The claim is supported by evidence, which can be debated/challenged.

• A claim is something more than statement and support: an arguable claim also goes on to address the “so what?” question.

• A claim is supported by your opinion

A claim is ______________________________.

• examples, data, facts, and information.

• a fact.

• a debatable statement or opinion that can be supported with evidence.

• an answer to a question.

The following sentence is an example of...?

More school districts should start school later in the morning.

• Reasoning

• Evidence

• Claim

• Fact

Which of the following is NOT a claim?

• California is the best state in the USA.

• Twinkies taste better than other snack cakes.

• Christmas is on December 25th.

• Christmas is the best holiday of the year.

What is this an example of?

• Evidence

• a claim

• Reasoning statement

What is a CLAIM?

• A statement you believe to be false

• An opinion

• An arguable statement

• Evidence that proves something is right

Which of the following best defines a claim in writing?

• A statement that can be argued and supported with evidence.

• A fact that cannot be disputed.

• A question that needs an answer.

• A summary of a text.

Identify the sentence that is a claim.

• The sky is blue.

• Chocolate is the best ice cream flavor.

• Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.

• The Earth revolves around the Sun.

What is the primary purpose of a claim in an argumentative essay?

• To provide background information.

• To state the main argument or position.

• To summarize the opposing views.

• To list evidence supporting the argument.