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Break down the essential parts of a persuasive argument: claims, reasons, and evidence.
Imagine you are a lawyer in a courtroom. You can't just point at someone and say 'They did it!' and expect to win. How do you build a case so strong that no one can tear it down?
Every argument starts with a claim. A claim is a statement that expresses a point of view on a topic that others might disagree with. It is the 'What' of your argument. Unlike a fact (e.g., 'The sun is a star'), a claim is debatable. For example, 'Schools should start at AM' is a claim because people have different opinions on it. A strong claim is clear, specific, and takes a stand. If everyone already agrees with you, you aren't making an argument; you're just stating a fact.
Quick Check
Is the statement 'The Earth revolves around the Sun' a claim or a fact?
Answer
It is a fact because it can be scientifically proven and is not a matter of debate.
Once you have a claim, you need reasons. Reasons are the 'Why' behind your claim. They act like the pillars of a building, holding up the roof (the claim). If your claim is 'We should eat more vegetables,' your reasons might be 'They provide essential vitamins' and 'They help prevent diseases.' Good reasons use logic to connect your claim to the proof you will provide later. Without reasons, your claim is just an empty opinion that has nothing to stand on.
1. Claim: Students should be allowed to use tablets in class. 2. Reason A: Tablets allow for instant access to educational research. 3. Reason B: Using digital tools prepares students for future careers in technology.
Quick Check
If the claim is 'Dogs make better pets than cats,' what is one logical reason to support it?
Answer
A possible reason is: 'Dogs can be trained to perform helpful tasks and provide protection for their owners.'
Evidence is the 'How do you know?' part of the argument. It is the data, facts, statistics, or expert quotes that prove your reasons are true. It is the foundation of your building. If your reason is 'Vegetables have vitamins,' your evidence might be a chart showing that spinach contains of the daily value of Vitamin K. Evidence must be credible (from a trusted source) and relevant (directly related to the reason). Without evidence, your reasons are just guesses.
1. Claim: Hybrid cars are better for the environment than gas cars. 2. Reason: They produce fewer carbon emissions during daily use. 3. Evidence: A study by the EPA found that hybrid vehicles emit to less greenhouse gas than similar gasoline-only models.
Read this argument: 'We should ban homework (Claim) because it makes students tired (Reason). My friend Dave says he stayed up until PM last night doing math (Evidence).'
Analysis: 1. The claim is clear. 2. The reason is logical. 3. The evidence is weak because 'my friend Dave' is not a credible or scientific source for a general rule.
Which of these is a valid claim?
In an argument, what is the primary purpose of 'Evidence'?
A reason and a claim are the exact same thing.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to recall the three parts of the 'Argument Building' and which part acts as the 'Roof.'
Practice Activity
Find an opinion article or a letter to the editor in a newspaper. Highlight the claim in red, the reasons in blue, and the evidence in green.