ESL-identifying claims

Essay Structure

Many essays follow a FIVE PARAGRAPH structure.

Our essay will include:

※Introduction/Thesis Paragraph

※Body 1

Body 2

Body 3

※Conclusion Paragraph

Poll

What is the OREO strategy?

• A cookie that is great for dunking in milk!
• A writing strategy used to organize an informative essay.
• A writing strategy used to organize an argumentative essay.
• I'm not really sure.

​OREO Strategy for argumentative paragraph

• O----Opinion (claim)

• R----Reason

• E---- Evidence (Explanation)

• O---- Opinion(restated)

Multiple Choice

The first O in the OREO strategy stands for _____________, which is another word for ______________.

• obstinate, claim
• occasional, opinion
• opinion, counterclaim
• opinion, claim

Fill in the Blanks

The R in the OREO strategy stands for

.

Fill in the Blanks

The E in the OREO strategy stands for

.

Identifying Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning

Intro to Argumentative Writing

Parts of an argument

Effective arguments have three parts: claim, evidence, and reasoning

What are claims?

• In argumentative writing, your claim states your stance on the topic, and summarizes your reasons for taking that stance.

• The claim should be very clear about which side of the topic you are arguing.

• Claims don't just state a fact. They share the writer's viewpoint or position.

• It is typically at the start of the paragraph or passage.

What makes a good claim?

• Good claims are arguable: You could argue for or against it. No fence-sitting (taking both sides)!

What makes a good claim?

• Good claims are reasonable: You aren't arguing for something extreme or over-the-top that most people would not support.

What makes a good claim?

• Good claims are supportable: Your claim can be supported with evidence. You aren't making wild claims with no basis in fact, and you aren't just pulling your argument out of nowhere.

Example of a good claim:

"Students should be allowed to use phones in class for educational purposes and to stay in touch with their parents."

Example of a good claim:

"Students should be allowed to use phones in class for educational purposes and to stay in touch with their parents."

• It's arguable because.................................................

• It's reasonable because .......................................................................

• It's supportable because .................................................................................

And now, some bad claims.

I will show you three claims that are related to the same topic as the example before (using phones in class). You will need to tell me if the claim is: not arguable, not reasonable, or not supportable.

Multiple Choice

Claim 1: Phones have both good and bad sides, and can be used for productive and unproductive activities.

• Not arguable

• Not reasonable

• Not supportable

Multiple Choice

Claim 2: Phones should be allowed because most kids I know can use them and still pay attention in class.

• Not arguable

• Not reasonable

• Not supportable

Multiple Choice

Claim 3: Phones should be banned from all schools permanently because they are a distraction and have no use in education.

• Not arguable

• Not reasonable

• Not supportable

Multiple Choice

Good claims are...

• Arguable, serious, lengthy

• Debatable, creatable, relatable

• Arguable, reasonable, supportable

• Supportable, questionable, adaptable

Multiple Choice

Why is "Taco Bell is the best fast food restaurant because everyone thinks their food is really good" a bad claim?

• It's not a bad claim

• Not reasonable

• Not supportable

• Not arguable

Multiple Choice

What is the claim of this passage?

American high schools should offer classes on stress management in order to better prepare students for the workforce. According to CNBC, 80% of American workers report feeling stressed at work. By teaching students healthy habits for managing stress, high schools would help create a generation of workers that is more relaxed and confident.

• Red - first sentence

• Green - second sentence

• Blue - third sentence

Multiple Choice

What is the claim in this passage?

Hermione benefits immensely from her friendship with Harry and Ron. After Harry, Ron, and Hermione band together to defeat the mountain troll, the narrator notes that Hermione becomes "more relaxed (Rowling 181). Because she feels a sense of belonging, Hermione is able to release some of her tension and is better able to connect with those around her.

• Red - first sentence

• Green - second sentence

• Blue - third sentence

Part two: evidence

A piece of evidence is a fact that supports the claim.

Strong evidence must:

• be a fact

• come from a credible source

• be relevant to the claim (not just random)

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is the evidence in this paragraph?

American high schools should offer classes on stress management in order to better prepare students for the workforce. According to CNBC, 80% of American workers report feeling stressed at work. By teaching students healthy habits for managing stress, high schools would help create a generation of workers that is more relaxed and confident.

• Red - first sentence

• Green - second sentence

• Blue - third sentence

Multiple Choice

what is a strong evidence for this claim?

With virtual reality technology, humans no longer need to spend time outdoors to appreciate natural beauty.

• Spending time outdoors is less important than participating in service activities like volunteering at a food bank.

• Most of my friends prefer to take virtual tours instead of spending time in nature.

• The National Museum of Natural History offers virtual tours, letting online visitors explore the exhibits through high-resolution images.

• In 2016, Google launched a website that allows visitors to experience 3D, 360-degree viewsof many U.S. National Parks.

Multiple Choice

What is the evidence in this passage?

Hermione benefits immensely from her friendship with Harry and Ron. After Harry, Ron, and Hermione band together to defeat the mountain troll, the narrator notes that Hermione becomes "more relaxed (Rowling 181). Because she feels a sense of belonging, Hermione is able to release some of her tension and is better able to connect with those around her.

• Red - first sentence

• Green - second sentence

• Blue - third sentence

Multiple Choice

"Rhinos have horns"

Is this a claim, evidence or reasoning?

• Claim

• Evidence

• Reasoning

Part three: reasoning

Strong reasoning connects the evidence to the claim.
It gives a reason for the evidence and tells what it means or why it matters to support the claim.

The reasoning must be strong

• Draws a conclusion from the evidence AND

• Supports the claim

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is the reasoning in this paragraph?

American high schools should offer classes on stress management in order to better prepare students for the workforce. According to CNBC, 80% of American workers report feeling stressed at work. By teaching students healthy habits for managing stress, high schools would help create a generation of workers that is more relaxed and confident.

• Red - first sentence

• Green - second sentence

• Blue - third sentence

Multiple Choice

What is the reasoning in this passage?

Hermione benefits immensely from her friendship with Harry and Ron. After Harry, Ron, and Hermione band together to defeat the mountain troll, the narrator notes that Hermione becomes "more relaxed (Rowling 181). Because she feels a sense of belonging, Hermione is able to release some of her tension and is better able to connect with those around her.

• Red - first sentence

• Green - second sentence

• Blue - third sentence

Multiple Choice

Reasoning is __________________.

• A statement of conclusion that answers the original question/problem
• Scientific data that supports the claim
• A justification that connects the evidence to the claim
• Empirical Evidence

Multiple Select

What is the reason?

• The answer to the question in 1 complete sentence.

• Facts, research, or information that supports your claim.

• Explaining how your evidence supports your claim.

Multiple Select

A study conducted by the National Health Institute found that children who regularly consume sugary snacks like candies and soda have a higher risk of developing health problems such as obesity and dental cavities.

This is an example of ___________________.

• Claim

• Evidence

• Reason

• Why

Identifying Claims

Let's practice together!

Multiple Choice

What is a claim?

• It is an arguable statement about a topic.

• It is an opinion about a topic.

• It is a fact about a topic.

• All of the above.

Multiple Choice

A claim is

• an opinion

• a fact

• debatable

Multiple Select

Consuming excessive sugary snacks is detrimental to children's health.

This is an example of ____________________.

• Claim

• Evidence

• Reason

• Why

Multiple Choice

A claim should be proven with

• clues

• evidence

• opinions

Multiple Select

This indicates that the high sugar content in these snacks can lead to weight gain and tooth decay. Therefore, consuming too many sugary snacks can negatively affect a child's overall health.

This is an example of __________________________.

• Claim

• Evidence

• Reason

Multiple Choice

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

Multiple Choice

Identify the sentence as a claim or not a claim.

One study showed that students were stressed out by choosing their own outfits.

• Not a claim

• Claim

Multiple Choice

What is EVIDENCE?

• Facts

• Figures

• Expert Opinions

• All of these

Multiple Choice

Could the following claim be supported with evidence?

Schools should limit the amount of homework given to students.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a claim that can be supported with evidence or not?

Oranges contain both calcium and Vitamin C

• Yes: I can find more facts to support this

• No: It is already a fact and doesn't need to be proven further

Multiple Choice

Is this a claim that can be supported with evidence or not?

School days that start later in the morning have a positive impact on students.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

What is the CLAIM (or main idea) of this paragraph?

Everyone should download emoji's on their electronic devices. Emojis are a newer addition to texting and there are a total of 845 emojis that have different expressions. After all, they are free, expressive, and add a little something to any text!

• Emojis are a newer addition to texting.

• There are a total of 845 emojis that have different expressions.

• Everyone should download emoji's on their electronic device.

• After all, they are free, expressive, and add a little something to any text!

Multiple Choice

What is the CLAIM (or main idea) of this paragraph?

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria first opened in 1971. They sell deep-dish pizza. In 2011 Lou Malnati's opened their biggest pizzeria in Chicago. Even though there are several restaurants that sell deep-dish pizza, Lou Malnati's is the best. They will continue to serve pizza lovers.

• Lou Malnati's Pizzeria first opened in 1971.

• They sell deep-dish pizza.

• In 2011 Lou Malnati's opened their biggest pizzeria in Chicago.

• Even though there are several restaurants that sell deep-dish pizza, Lou Malnati's is the best.

Multiple Choice

What is the CLAIM (or main idea) of this paragraph?

Social media is ruining many friendships today, and this needs to change. Over 75% of today's teens have a social media account and are more comfortable interacting over the internet rather than face-to-face. As a result, many teens say and post things online that they wouldn't normally do in person. These types of posts can have a negative effect on friendships and relationships.

• Over 75% of today's teens have a social media account and are more comfortable interacting over the internet rather than face-to-face.

• These types of posts can have a negative effect on friendships and relationships.

• Social media is ruining many friendships today, and this needs to change.

• As a result, many teens say and post things online that they wouldn't normally do in person.

Multiple Choice

Does the evidence support the claim?

Claim: snapchat is dangerous for young people."

Evidence: Snapchat is an app that allows users to add filters to photos

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Does the evidence support the claim?

Claim: Fenty Beauty has better products than Kylie Cosmetics.

Evidence: Fenty Beauty foundation is rated four stars at Sephora, but Kylie Cosmetics foundation isn’t even sold at Sephora.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Does the evidence support the claim?

Claim: Sparkling water is disgusting.

Evidence: It is painful to drink, and it tastes like someone just waved a piece of fruit over water, and it made the water angry.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Does the evidence support the claim?

Claim: Crinkle cut fries are more popular than any other French fry.

Evidence: Waffle fries are the best-selling fries in the world.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Does the evidence support the claim?

Claim: Dogs are able to provide safety and protection for people.

Evidence: With a dog, you can play frisbee, tug-o-war, and a variety of other fun activities that you can't do with other pets.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Does the evidence support the claim?

Claim: Recycling is beneficial for the environment.

Evidence: When something is recycled, it is reused and not put in the landfill to cause pollution.

• Yes

• No