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Learn how to turn an opinion into a clear, debatable claim for an argument.
Imagine you are trying to convince your parents to let you stay up late. If you just say 'I want to,' they will probably say no. But what if you had a 'secret weapon' sentence that made them actually stop and listen to your logic?
In writing, a claim is the main argument you are trying to prove. It is the 'anchor' of your entire paragraph. A claim is different from a fact because a fact is something everyone agrees is true (like 'The sun is a star'). A claim is also different from a simple opinion (like 'I like pizza'). A true claim is debatable, meaning a reasonable person could disagree with you. To make a claim, you must take a stand on an issue and be ready to back it up with evidence.
Quick Check
Which of these is a claim: 'Water freezes at 32 degrees' or 'Schools should start at 10:00 AM'?
Answer
'Schools should start at 10:00 AM' is a claim because people can disagree with it.
1. Fact: 'Our school has a recycling program.' (This can be proven with a photo of the bins). 2. Claim: 'Our school's recycling program is ineffective because the bins are not labeled clearly.' (This is a claim because someone else might think the program is doing great!)
A weak claim is often too broad or obvious. If you say 'Exercise is good for you,' most people will just say 'So what? Everyone knows that.' This is a weak claim. To make it a strong claim, you need to be specific. A strong claim usually suggests a change or explains why something matters. We can use a simple 'formula' to build these:
1. Weak: 'Video games are fun.' (Too personal, not debatable). 2. Better: 'Video games are good for kids.' (A bit better, but still vague). 3. Strong: 'Video games should be used in classrooms because they help students develop critical problem-solving skills.' (Specific, debatable, and has a clear reason).
Quick Check
What are the three parts of the 'Strong Claim' formula?
Answer
Topic, Stance (your position), and Reason.
When you write a persuasive paragraph, your claim is usually called a thesis statement. It usually appears at the very beginning. A good thesis statement acts like a roadmap for the reader. It tells them exactly what you believe and what the rest of your writing will talk about. If your thesis is strong, your reader will know exactly what to expect in the sentences that follow.
Imagine you are writing about school uniforms. 1. Topic: School uniforms. 2. Stance: Should not be required. 3. Reason: They limit student self-expression. 4. Final Thesis: 'Our district should not require school uniforms because they prevent students from expressing their unique identities through clothing.'
Which of the following is a 'debatable' claim?
What is the main problem with the claim 'Pollution is bad'?
A thesis statement should usually be placed at the very end of a persuasive paragraph.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to remember the three parts of the claim formula: .
Practice Activity
Find an article in a magazine or online. Can you find the author's main claim? If not, try to write one for them using the formula!