The Writing Center@PVCC, Summer 2017
Making a Claim
What is a claim?
A claim is the main argument of an essay. It is the most important part of an academic paper.
A claim defines the paper’s goals, direction, and scope. It is supported by evidence.
A claim must be argumentative.
A good claim makes a focused argument (Because of the growing obesity epidemic, elementary schools
should ban junk food from their cafeterias.) rather than a general one (Junk food is bad.).
Academic claims are complex, nuanced, specific, and detailed.
Descriptive Statements vs. Arguable Claims
Descriptive Statements: Arguable Claims:
do not investigate, critique, or analyze can be debated/challenged
anything
do not invite support and argument need to be supported by evidence
do not apply what has been learned in the go beyond description, answer the “so
central texts to other texts what?” question
Examples: Revised Examples:
The styles of Emily Dickinson and Walt The style differences of Emily Dickinson and
Whitman are very different. Walt Whitman reflect their religious and
gender differences.
During the Civil Rights Movement, people During the Civil Rights Movement, Martin
resisted racism in different ways. Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X resisted racism
differently, yet both methods of resistance
have shaped the American racial experience.
Opinion vs. Arguable Claims
Opinions: Arguable Claims:
are not supported by evidence are supported by evidence
are supported by more opinion can be substantiated with research, evidence,
testimony, and academic reasoning
only state support, not necessarily the reason address the “so what?” question
behind the support
Examples: Revised Examples:
Ice cream is delicious. Ben and Jerry’s ice cream is more delicious
than other ice creams because it is creamy,
flavored naturally, and made in small
batches.
Basketball is better than football. Although basketball and football both
encourage teamwork, basketball is a more
social sport because it does not require its
players to be physically aggressive toward
their opponents.
The Writing Center@PVCC, Summer 2017
Complicate your Claim. Good claims are always more complicated than “I’m right” statements. They
also acknowledge their opposition’s point of view and give specific reasons for their own stance.
Here are some claims that are arguable but not complex:
o Fashion designers should design clothing for bodies of different shapes and sizes.
o Space exploration is beneficial to humanity.
1. Always consider potential counterclaims and counterarguments . Considering and
responding to other perspectives will strengthen your own argument.
Some words that can be used to show counterclaims are:
but despite although conversely by contrast on the contrary
yet while regardless however nevertheless on the other hand
The claims above have been complicated with counterclaims:
o Although many fashion designers view the clothing they design as art rather than clothing for the
masses, they should design clothing for bodies of different shapes and sizes.
o Space exploration is expensive; however, the benefits to humanity far outweigh the expense.
2. Explain the claim. Say why it matters. Answer the “so what?” question. Add a “because” phrase.
The claims above have been further complicated with explanation of the claim:
o Although many fashion designers see the clothing they design as art rather than clothing for the
masses, they should design clothing for bodies of different shapes and sizes, allowing a variety of
people to be comfortable and fashionable without showing preference to one particular body type.
o Space exploration is expensive; however, the expense is outweighed by the benefits: discovery of
planets, stars, and other heavenly bodies, the unification of humans as they work together to reach
the stars, and the increased motivation for new technologies.
Myths about Claims for Academic Arguments
Myth #1: A claim should be general so that lots of evidence in the text will support its argument.
Correction: Be specific, concrete, and focused. A general claim requires general evidence to support it.
Myth #2: A claim should not include everything the paper is going to say because then it “gives it all away”
and eliminates the suspense.
Correction: An argument essay is not a mystery novel. Be clear about where you are going. State what you are
trying to do, what you are arguing, and how you plan to accomplish it.
Myth #3: A claim should never be longer than a sentence.
Correction: Your claim should fit the project at hand. It may fit into one sentence, or it may require more space
to outline, develop, and express your point.
Myth #4: The connection between your claim and your evidence is obvious.
Correction: Writing is about making connections and being explicit about the ways your ideas mix with other
writers’ ideas.
Myth #5: A claim should present a theme and provide three examples of that theme.
Correction: Do not feel trapped inside the five-paragraph essay. Present the information in a reasonable
manner, using the number of examples and evidence necessary to support your claim. Take into account the
length requirements for your paper, the scope of your topic, and the evidence needed to prove your claim.
Myth #6: A claim should be true or correct beyond a doubt so the reader agrees with the argument.
Argumentative writing is not usually black or white. It is about articulating a position and supporting that
position using academic evidence.
Adapted from the Odegaard Writing & Research Center http://www.depts.washington.edu/owrc
