LEQ: H OW DOES AN AUTHOR FULLY SUPPORT A C LAIM ? Content Vocabulary

C LAIM →  Definition: (noun) 1. an assertion of the truth of something, typically one that is disputed or in doubt.  With writing, claim is the writer’s position on an issue or problem.  There are different types of claims (interpretive, evaluative) and all claims involve an informed opinion which is why they are debatable.  Keep in mind that your claim must make sense and should be debatable!

C LAIM E XAMPLES : Good Claim Statements: *I believe my curfew should be extended from 11 pm to midnight on Saturday night. *I respectfully urge you to oppose any legislation that weakens Maryland’s current “all riders” motorcycle helmet law.

A FTER YOU MAKE A CLAIM, Y OU NEED TO BACK YOURSELF UP !  You need to support the claim. Support is any material that serves to prove a claim. It includes the reasons and evidence that make your claim “winnable.”  In addition to supporting the claim, strong arguments can anticipate objections that opponents might raise and counter those objections with evidence!  Evidence is the specific references, quotations, facts, examples, and opinions that support a claim. Evidence may also consist of statistics, reports of personal experience, or the views of experts.

F ROM “M OTORCYCLE H ELMET B ILL ”  1. What is the speaker’s claim, or position?  2. One reason that the speaker uses to prove her claim is boxed. Cite two pieces of evidence that support this reason.

A NSWERS :  1. Claim: I respectfully urge you to oppose any legislation that weakens Maryland’s current “all riders” motorcycle helmet law.  2. This has been proven in MD and every other state where all riders are required to wear helmets. In such states, death rates from head injuries are half what they are among cyclists in states with no helmet laws or laws which only apply to minors. Where helmet laws have been enacted, then repealed, death rates for motorcyclists rise in the absence of a helmet law.

W HEN MAKING A CLAIM OR READING A CLAIM ….  Be very careful! You need to be a good writer – especially if you want people to agree with your claim. You also want to be a good reader. Analyze the writing of the author. Look at their sources, credibility, evidence and make an informed decision.

F ACT VS. O PINION FactOpinion *A statement that can be proved, or verified *A statement that cannot be proved because it expresses a person’s beliefs, feelings, or thoughts It’s important to distinguish facts from opinions because facts tend to be less disputable than opinions – unless the opinions come from experts.

S OURCE /C REDIBILITY →  Source: The people interviewed for the report and also any written materials and documents used for background information.  You want credible sources. Sources you can trust and believe what they say. Credible SourcesWeak Sources *Experts in a field *People directly affected by the report (eyewitnesses) *unnamed or anonymous sources *research, data, or reports that are not specifically named or are referred to only in vague terms (for example, “Research shows that…”)

C ITE /C ITATION  When using a source, you want to cite the source to add to your claim’s validity.  Validity –the quality of being logical and factually sound.  This can be done several ways -- within the text or as citations in a work cited page.  Look back through our article “Motorcycle Helmet Bill” – do you see any sources cited?

R ELEVANCY & S UFFICIENCY  Is what the person saying relevant? Meaning is it related to the topic being discussed?  Is the information sufficient? Meaning adequate in supporting the claim. Is there enough evidence?  When you evaluate an argument, you need to look closely at the writer’s logic and reasoning.

W OW, THAT WAS A LOT OF INFORMATION !  So here’s a silly clip to help tie it all together!   Consider it “a gift” for taking nice vocabulary notes.