Claim and Reason

Claims, Reasons, and Evidence the difference

Claim

is an arguable statement that the entire essay will be about.

A strong claim is not

• Just an opinion

• Written in first person

• A sentence with because in it

• Vague

Examples of claims in order from weakest to strongest.

• The Bermuda Triangle may or may not be causing ships and planes to disappear.

• I think that the Bermuda Triangle causes ships and planes to disappear.

• The Bermuda Triangle causes ships and planes to disappear.

• It is clear that the Bermuda Triangle has to be the reason that ships and planes have mysteriously disappeared.

Multiple Choice

Which one is the strongest claim?

• Bigfoot is not real.

• Evidence points that bigfoot could be real or fake.

• The legend of bigfoot has no credible evidence.

Multiple Choice

Which one is the strongest claim?

• Dragons are obviously fake.

• The legends of dragons have flaws in their reasoning too big to ignore.

• I think dragons have to be false.

Reasons

Why the claim is true.

Strong Reasons are

• Clearly connected to the claim.

• Can be worded as a because statement.

• Not specific evidence.

• Not cited material.

Reasons for the claim: It is clear that the Bermuda Triangle has to be the reason that ships and planes have mysteriously disappeared. From weakest to strongest.

• Compasses were not working for Navy pilots in 1945 or for Columbus in 1492 (“Bermuda Triangle”).

• Compasses are recorded to not work in the Bermuda Triangle.

• The Bermuda triangle causes technology to not work.

• Technology has known to stop working while in the Bermuda Triangle before ships completely disappear. 

  
  

  
  

Multiple Choice

What's a reason for the claim: The legend of bigfoot has no credible evidence.

• There are bigfoot reports in Kentucky.

• The majority of evidence for bigfoot is only personal reports.

• There are over 12 personal reports of bigfoot sightings in Kentucky ("Bigfoot Chasers").

Multiple Choice

What's a reason for the claim: The legends of dragons have flaws in their reasoning too big to ignore.

• Dragons have an element of magic to them which makes it improbable.

• Dragons breathe fire.

• Treasure is known to be stolen by dragons ("dragon").

Evidence

The specific examples that support the reason.

Strong evidence is

• Specific

• Relevant

• Cited from a credible source.

Evidence for the reason: Technology has known to stop working while in the Bermuda Triangle before ships completely disappear. From weakest to strongest.

• The Bermuda Triangle is a high traffic area ("Bermuda Triangle").

• There are tales of planes disappearing in the Bermuda Triangle ("Bermuda Triangle").

• Compasses were not working for Navy pilots in 1945 or for Columbus in 1492 (“Bermuda Triangle”).

  
  

Multiple Choice

What is a piece of evidence for the reason The majority of evidence for bigfoot is only personal reports.

• A Sacramento minister leads a Bigfoot chasing organization ("Bigfoot Chasers").

• There is no good quality of proof of Bigfoot.

• There were only personal reports given to the Bigfoot Research Organization ("Bigfoot Chasers").

Multiple Choice

What is a piece of evidence for the reason: Dragons have an element of magic to them which makes it improbable.

• European legends have dragons described as fire breathing ("dragon").

• The anatomy of a dragon is not backed up by science.

• Myths of dragons are found all over the world ("dragon").

Multiple Select

Which ones are reasons for: Camping is the best recreational activity.

• Native Americans were known to camp (Paris).

• Camping has been enjoyed as long as we have record of human life.

• Lots of options for activities are possible when you camp.

• Fishing is a great activity while camping

Multiple Select

What is considered evidence for the reason: Camping has lots of options of activities to choose from.

• Hunting and fishing were possibilities in an elite camping area called "Great Camps" (Paris).

• People can go swimming in the summer.

• National Parks offer great activities such as hiking, hunting, and fishing (Paris).

• Connecting to nature is a great reason to camp.