Claims

A claim is:

• An opinion plus a reason/reasons

• Essentially a thesis

• A statement that is backed up with evidence

• All of the above

Answer explanation

A claim brings together multiple aspects - it expresses your main point as an arguable statement (thesis), presents your opinion with supporting reasons, and requires evidence to be proven true, making it a crucial building block of effective writing.

Is this a claim or an opinion?

Dogs are better than cats.

• Claim

• Opinion

Answer explanation

This statement is an opinion because it expresses a personal preference about pets that cannot be proven as factually true or false.

Since most accidents on the road happen with 16 and 17-year-olds, the driving age should be raised to 18.

• Claim

• Opinion

Answer explanation

This is a claim because it makes a specific statement based on factual evidence about accident rates that can be proven true or false through data, rather than just expressing a personal preference or feeling.

A claim should be proven with_________.

• Clues

• Opinions

• Evidence

• Writing

Answer explanation

A strong claim needs to be backed up by evidence like facts, data, research, or real examples - not just opinions or guesses - to make your argument believable and convincing.

Which of the following is NOT a claim?

• Arizona is the best state in the USA to see mule deer.

• Twinkies taste better than other snack cakes because of their texture, their creamy filling, and their golden appearance.

• Labor day is the best holiday of the year.

• The school year began on August 5 and will end on MAy 21.

Answer explanation

The school year began on August 5 and will end on May 21 is simply stating a fact with specific dates rather than making an arguable statement like the other options.

Identify which sentence contains the claim in the following paragraph. 
¹At first, in junior high, everything feels difficult. ²However, once students have the time to adjust to the new routine, they begin to look forward to senior high. ³Though junior high prepares students for high school, the change from 9th to 10th grade can be a challenge. ^{High school is more difficult than junior high because there are more people, the teachers are stricter}, and the work is much more complex.

• Sentence 2

• 
  Sentence 4

• Sentence 3

Answer explanation

A claim is the main argument or point that the writer is trying to prove. In this paragraph, Sentence 4 contains the claim because it makes the central argument that 'High school is more difficult than junior high' and provides three specific reasons why: more people, stricter teachers, and harder work. The other sentences provide context but don't make the main argument.

For academic writing and essays, claims should be written in the first person using "I."

• True

• Fasle

Answer explanation

Claim should be written in the third person point of view and not use I, we, us, our, etc. This strengthens the argument and doesn't alienate the reader. "I" am not an expert.

A claim must pick one side to argue and be clear and focused.

• No, a claim can express multiple sides or arguments.

• Yes, a claim only presents one side or argument.

Answer explanation

This is important! One side or argument must be clear in the claim. We can not argue more than one side. A claim is the side we are taking.