Identifying Claims in an Argument

Arguable claim or an observation? SUV owners should be required to pay an energy surcharge.

• Claim
• Observation

Arguable claim or an observation? Charter schools are an alternative to public schools.

• Claim
• Observation

Arguable claim or an observation? Ronald Reagan was the most charismatic president of the 20th century.

• Claim
• Observation

Arguable claim or an observation? Requiring students to wear uniforms improves school spirit.

• Claim
• Observation

Arguable claim or an observation? GOP leaders view global warming as fake science.

• Claim
• Observation

Arguable claim or an observation? People who read novels are more likely to attend museum exhibitions and movies than those who do not.

• Claim
• Observation

Arguable claim or an observation? Print newspapers will not survive another decade.

• Claim
• Observation

Arguable claim or an observation? The competition among countries to become a site for the Olympic Games is fierce.

• Claim
• Observation

A good writer chooses their claim based upon

• Their own personal opinion about a topic

• How much evidence they have and which argument is stronger

• What they have more personal experience in

• What they think their teacher will want them to write about

What type of claim? The Miami Heat's terrible season was the result of ineffective coaching.

• problem/solution

• cause/effect

• should/should not