Knowing how to write a good claim is the key to successful argumentative writing. Good claims are typically concise, well-researched, and direct. Be sure to avoid hedges, unnecessary phrases like "I think" or "I believe" that express indecisiveness rather than the firm, matter-of-fact quality that claims should have. In fact, in most cases, it's a good idea to avoid the first person altogether. Writers should state claims as fact and be as straightforward and concise as possible.
In an essay or any other form of argumentative writing, the claim is usually found at the end of the first paragraph. This is typically called an introduction or claim paragraph. A common and effective formula for the claim paragraph is the upside-down triangle structure, in which writers start by introducing their topic, then the specific issue or conflict they want to address, and ending with a definitive claim that clearly conveys the position they are going to prove or defend in the body of their argument. Claim paragraphs may begin broadly or might dive into the core issue right away, depending on the audience and how niche the writer's subject matter is, but while a general rule is that specificity is best, writers should also consider how much background their audience might require.
Tips for writing an effective claim:
- State the argument's position clearly and as fact, avoiding hedges.
- Include a preview of what will be discussed in the argument or, in other words, give the reader an idea of what will be discussed in the body.
- The claim is the culmination of all the writer's research and should answer the research question developed during the research process.
- Limit the claim to 1-2 sentences and place it at the end of the claim paragraph.
- Remember that it is okay to revise the claim as the argument develops on the page.
Claim vs. Statement
It's important to understand the difference between a claim and a statement. Statements are sentences that state facts, while claims are sentences that present an arguable opinion that the author believes is true. All claims are statements, but not all statements are claims. Here are some examples:
Statement: ''The price of food has increased since last year.'' This sentence is a statement because it is simply stating a fact. It is not arguable, as this information can be easily fact-checked.
Claim: ''The price of food will increase as the economy declines due to a rising inflation.'' This sentence is a claim and not merely a statement because it is debatable. Here is another example:
Statement: ''This paper will consider the advantages and disadvantages of certain restrictions on free speech.'' This isn't a claim because it isn't debatable. This sentence is merely stating a fact.
Claim: ''Even though there may be considerable advantages to restricting hate speech, the possibility of chilling open dialogue on crucial racial issues is too great and too high a price to pay.'' This is a claim because it clearly states an opinion that can be debated.
Claim vs. Opinion
Claims and opinions are very similar, but writers should be careful not to use the terms interchangeably. Opinions represent personal viewpoints that may or may not be supported by fact. Claims are different from opinions in that they are supported by credible evidence. Opinions do not have to be proven because they are only reflections of the individual who holds the opinion, but a claim will eventually be proven correct or incorrect. Here are some examples:
Opinion: ''Cake is delicious.''
Claim: ''Cake is more popular than other desserts because of its texture, variety, and availability.''
The difference between these two sentences is that the claim gives provable reasoning that supports its assertion, while the opinion only communicates a personal belief.
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Another key feature of argumentative writing is the counterclaim. The counterclaim is the opposing claim or the opposite of the writer's position. For example, if the writer's claim is "Cats are better than dogs" then the counterclaim is "Cats are not better than dogs." It may seem counterintuitive for a writer to bring up opinions that clash with their claim, but in order for readers to accept a claim, they will first want to know what others are saying about the issue. Learning how to write a counterclaim confidently shows the reader that the writer has done their research and is ready to engage in discussion about the subject, rather than presenting a one-sided argument that doesn't accurately address the scope of the issue. Writers should devote just as much time and attention to finding credible counterclaim sources as they would to finding evidence to support their own claim. Here are four essential steps to incorporating a counterclaim into an argument:
- Consider the individual arguments or supporting points included in the piece and, after careful research, determine which part(s) of the argument readers will naturally question. This will help determine where a counterclaim would be most effective.
- Begin the counterclaim paragraph with a topic sentence that acknowledges the opposing side and references the previous paragraph to create a smooth transition.
- Provide evidence from the opposing side that supports their claim.
- Rebut the counterclaim.
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A rebuttal is a statement or paragraph that undermines or challenges an opposing claim. Without a rebuttal, a counterclaim in writing won't serve the argument. Writers should rebut counterclaims directly after introducing them. Here are some tips to getting started with a rebuttal:
- Start the rebuttal with a transition sentence that acknowledges the counterclaim and then goes on to refute it.
- Find common ground with the opposing argument and explain where and why the counterclaim gets off track.
- Look for inconsistencies or faulty assumptions in the counterclaim's proposed facts, analysis, or values.
- Refer to experts in the field to undermine the counterclaim with credible evidence.
Not every tip will be applicable to every rebuttal, but they are all good to keep in a writer's toolbox.
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Finding and using credible sources as evidence is a non-negotiable aspect of argumentative writing. Since claims are more than statements or opinions because they assert a specific, arguable stance on an issue, they need to be supported by evidence in order to hold up under scrutiny. There are two main types of evidence: first-hand and second-hand. First-hand evidence comes from research that writers have conducted themselves, such as interviews or surveys. Secondary evidence is more common and includes books, articles, and websites - anything written by an outside expert. The best sources to look for are peer-reviewed articles, which are articles that have undergone several rounds of criticism by professional scholars and writers. When searching through a database like ProQuest or Academic Search Complete, it's easy to select filters that will remove non-peer-reviewed articles from a search, but when using Google or even Google Scholar the process can be tricky. Here are some things to look for to determine if a source is both credible and relevant:
- Use keywords and phrases during searches, the more specific the better. These will probably develop as the research process continues and the topic gets narrower and more focused.
- After some initial research, develop a specific, focused research question to guide the search. (Extra tip: the goal of the writer's research should be to answer the research question because the result of or answer to this question will end up being the claim.)
- Determine the author, date of publication (if it is more than twenty years old it may not be considered relevant anymore), and the author's purpose. If an author can't be determined, sometimes information on the publisher will suffice, but in most cases, any website or article that can't be traced back to the author isn't a credible source.
Sources can be included in any part of an argument, but no new information should ever be introduced in a conclusion. Below are examples of credible sources being integrated into a claim paragraph, a counterclaim, and a rebuttal.
Claim paragraph: ''Even Dr. Jane Doe, a health expert who specializes in addiction recovery who herself has suffered from alcoholism, attests to the benefits of limited consumption of or abstinence from alcohol (Doe, 2019). High levels of alcohol consumption have detrimental effects on personal health, such as weight gain, heart disease, and liver complications.'' The second sentence is the claim and is preceded by a brief reference to a source that would be discussed in more detail in a body paragraph.
Counterclaim: ''Opponents argue that high levels of alcohol consumption are comorbid with other conditions, which rule out overconsumption of alcohol as the primary cause of heart disease in users'' (Smith, 2020). In this example, the writer is providing evidence from the article referenced in the parenthetical citation.
Rebuttal: ''While it is true that high levels of alcohol consumption often coexist with other conditions, this does not detract from the undeniable consequences that come with overindulgence of alcohol, as supported by Dr. Eva Turner in her book, Alcoholism: Symptoms, Comorbidities, and Recovery (Turner, 2018). She explains that comorbidities like depression and PTSD, while connected to alcohol dependence, must be addressed as separate conditions and the physical and mental effects of alcohol on the body should not be overlooked.'' This example begins by acknowledging the counterclaim, challenging it by introducing a source, and expanding on what the source has to say. This could be followed by an analysis from the writer that further explains their stance on this point.
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Argumentative writing requires a claim or main point, at least one opposing viewpoint or counterclaim, a rebuttal that challenges or undermines the counterclaim, and the use of credible sources as evidence, especially peer-reviewed articles or articles that have been reviewed by other scholars before publication. Remember that a claim should be specific, concise, and clearly state the writer's viewpoint. It should also avoid hedges, which can undermine the writer's authority, and appear at the end of the claim paragraph, also called an introduction. The counterclaim must come from one or more credible sources and must be followed by a rebuttal, or the counterclaim will actually detract from the argument. To consistently show that their claim is strong, writers should remember to use evidence from credible sources throughout their entire argument. These guidelines can help produce a strong, credible, and well-supported argument.
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Video Transcript
Argumentative Writing
Think about the last time you wrote something, like a paper for school or even just a letter. Did you state an opinion or a fact and then defend it? If so, you were practicing argumentative writing. This is a very common type of writing, and one that many people practice on a regular basis.
Essentially, in argumentative writing, you are trying to convince your reader of something. To do this, you make a claim, which is your main point, and then you proceed to defend it. There are some specific things that argumentative writing needs to include in order to be strong, namely a claim, evidence, a counterclaim, and a rebuttal.
How to Make a Claim
The first thing is that your claim needs to be stated strongly and clearly, very early on in the writing. There should be no question in your reader's mind what you are arguing for or against. It's important to avoid terms like 'I think.' These types of terms are called hedges, and in writing they can weaken your argument. When making your claim, state it as a fact, and then defend it using credible evidence. For example, take the following claim:
'Wolves are a vital part of the Yellowstone ecosystem, and reintroducing them provided huge benefits.'
In this statement, it is very clear what is being argued, and there is no hedging. In an argumentative paper, this statement would be followed by explanations of the claim and evidence supporting it.
Using Evidence
A claim should never go unsupported. If you don't have any evidence, then you're just stating an opinion without giving your reader any reason to believe you. It's important to use well-researched evidence from credible sources. A credible source would be newspaper articles, .org or .gov websites, encyclopedias, peer-reviewed journals, etc. A peer-reviewed article is an article that has gone through multiple rounds of editing by other experts in the author's field. In other words, a credible source is anything that has been through review and has a reputable organization to back it up. Using evidence from multiple credible sources is the best option and provides the most strength to your argument.
Let's look back at the wolves in Yellowstone argument. The following excerpt is an example of evidence you might use if that were your claim:
'Preliminary data from studies indicate that wolf recovery will likely lead to greater biodiversity throughout the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Wolves have preyed primarily on elk, and these carcasses have provided food to a wide variety of other animals, especially scavenging species.'
This is a quote from the National Park Service website, in an article titled 'Wolf Restoration Continued', which is a credible source. Since it has been well established in science that greater diversity makes a healthier ecosystem, this statement supports the argument that reintroducing wolves was positive.
Giving Counterclaims
In order to have a strong argument, you also need to give an opposing point of view, or counterclaim. This provides more support for your argument by showing you did thorough research and considered other points of view than your own. Just as with your supporting evidence, you will want to use credible sources for your counterclaim. The following excerpt comes from an article on Connect Us, a .org website, that lists pros and cons of wolf reintroduction. It states:
'Opponents of the program, including ranchers and livestock raisers, are concerned the loss of their livelihood with the presence of wolves.'
This means that ranchers worry the wolves will attack their sheep, and it provides a legitimate counterclaim to the argument.
Drawing Conclusions
After making your counterclaim, you need to finish by providing a rebuttal. This is when you provide evidence to show why the counterclaim is wrong, or at least why it doesn't make your argument wrong. Without the rebuttal, the counterclaim only serves to weaken your argument. For example, the following excerpt from the Connect Us article would serve as a rebuttal for the counterclaim we described above:
'Nowadays, people overseeing the program can have GPS devices attached to wolves to monitor their movements and keep them from hunting sheep and other farm animals.'
As you can see, this rebuttal provides solid evidence for why the counterclaim is not an issue and further strengthens the argument. In the end, the argument about wolves in Yellowstone would look something like this:
'Wolves are a vital part of the Yellowstone ecosystem, and reintroducing them provided huge benefits. Data from the National Park Service shows that the introduction of wolves has the potential to significantly increase biodiversity, which makes for a healthy ecosystem. Some opponents of the reintroduction include ranchers, who are worried the wolves will kill their livestock. However, GPS and other technology can significantly decrease this risk, and the benefits of reintroducing wolves far outweighs the lessened risk.'
Of course your argument would contain more evidence, but this sample includes the basics of what you need to make an argument strong.
Lesson Summary
There are a number of things you need to include in order to make a strong piece of argumentative writing, in which you are trying to convince your reader of something:
- The first is a claim, or main point. Your claim should clearly state your argument so there is no confusion for the reader. It should also avoid hedges, such as 'I think.' These detract from written arguments.
- Your claim needs to be supported by well-researched evidence. Strong evidence comes from credible sources, such as encyclopedias, .org or .gov websites, peer-reviewed articles (which are articles that have gone through multiple rounds of editing by other experts in the author's field), and newspapers. You saw an example of this with the National Park Service website used to support the claim about wolves in Yellowstone.
- In addition, having a counterclaim, or opposing point of view, shows that you researched multiple aspects of your argument, which strengthens your claim.
- However, if you don't have a rebuttal (which is when you provide evidence to show why the counterclaim is wrong - or at least why it doesn't make your argument wrong), then the counterclaim weakens your argument. It's important to have both counterclaim and rebuttal.
If you follow these guidelines, you can produce a strong, credible, and well-supported argument.
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