COMPLEX CLAIMS PART TWO

Complex Claim Review  Identify the five essential parts of a complex claim: Evidence Stakes Roadmap Claim Concession/Counterargument

Complex Claims Review  What is the difference between a thesis statement and a complex claim?

Complex Claims Review  What is the difference between a thesis statement and a complex claim? 1. A claim is an assertion of fact or belief that needs to be supported with evidence (CI 191) 2. A COMPLEX CLAIM is a clear thesis that makes a limited argument backed by evidence. 3. A main claim, or thesis, summarizes the writer’s position on a situation and answers the questions the writer addresses. It also encompasses all of the minor claims (road map), their supporting evidence, that the writer makes throughout the argument (CI 191) 4. SEE CI, PAGE 329. ESSENTIALLY: A COMPLEX CLAIM IS A COMPLEX THESIS STATEMENT

Complex Claims Review  What is the difference between a concession, a counterargument and a rebuttal?

Complex Claims Review  What is the difference between a concession, a counterargument and a rebuttal? A concession is “an acknowledgment that readers may not agree with every point the writer is making” (CI 201).

Complex Claims Review  What is the difference between a concession, a counterargument and a rebuttal? A concession is “an acknowledgment that readers may not agree with every point the writer is making” (CI 201). Better definition: When the author admits some legitimacy to counterarguments or counterevidence, we call them concessions.

Complex Claims Review  What is the difference between a concession, a counterargument and a rebuttal? A concession is “an acknowledgment that readers may not agree with every point the writer is making” (CI 201). Better definition: When the author admits some legitimacy to counterarguments or counterevidence, we call them concessions. A counterargument is “an argument raised in response to another argument” (CI 202).

Complex Claims Review  What is the difference between a concession, a counterargument and a rebuttal? A concession is “an acknowledgment that readers may not agree with every point the writer is making” (CI 201). Better definition: When the author admits some legitimacy to counterarguments or counterevidence, we call them concessions. A counterargument is “an argument raised in response to another argument” (CI 202). A rebuttal is a response to an argument or counterargument.

Complex Claims Review  What is a roadmap?

Complex Claims Review  What is a roadmap?  A roadmap tells your reader how you will prove that your claim is the right one.  It offers a brief outline or roadmap of your argument’s main points.

Complex Claims Review  What is a roadmap?  A roadmap tells your reader how you will prove that your claim is the right one.  It offers a brief outline or roadmap of your argument’s main points.  Ex: “In this essay, I will define the major goals of feminism, examine how sexualized images of women’s bodies work against these goals, and then evaluate images of Beyonce that make her a problematic icon for modern feminism.”

Complex Claims Review  What is a roadmap?  A roadmap tells your reader how you will prove that your claim is the right one.  It offers a brief outline or roadmap of your arguments main points. Might also include evidence for your claim.  Ex: “In this essay, I will define the major goals of feminism, examine how sexualized images of women’s bodies work against these goals, and then evaluate images of Beyonce that make her a problematic icon for modern feminism.”  Another example: “Through an examination of how black female bodies have been objectified throughout history and how these images have both negatively impacted women and undermined the goals of the feminist movement…”

Complex Claims Review  A complex claim should always be an “either/or” argument? True or False?

Complex Claims Review  A complex claim should always be an “either/or” argument? True or False?  FALSE  A complex claim can be an argument for one side or another (pro-choice v I’m pro-life), but it must also use a rationale (evidence) for that position.  Complex claims, especially in academics, are usually arguing more subtle claims. Ex: “While I agree with Marxist theorists that the conditions of labor influence social formation, I believe that Marxist theory neglects issues of race, gender, and sexuality that must also be considered.”

Complex Claims Review “The Affordable Care Act is ineffective” is an example of: a.) a complex claim b.) a thesis statement c.) a working thesis d.) a value claim e.) a policy claim f.) c and d g.) c and e h.) none of the above

Complex Claims Review “The Affordable Care Act is ineffective” is an example of: a.) a complex claim b.) a thesis statement c.) a working thesis d.) a value claim e.) a policy claim X f.) c and d g.) c and e h.) none of the above

Complex Claims Review  “While sex positive feminists argue that Beyonce’s sexualized image in no way undermines her claim that she is a feminist, research has shown that such images have a negative impact on the self-image of the young women who Beyonce claims to empower. Through an examination of how black female bodies have been objectified throughout history and how these images have both negatively impacted women and undermined the goals of the feminist movement, it becomes clear that Beyonce would be a more effective feminist icon if her public image was more in line with the goals of a movement in which she claims to be a member. Because of her self-described role as a feminist and because she has so much influence on young women, it is crucial that Beyonce sends the right message.”

Complex Claims Review  “While sex positive feminists argue that Beyonce’s sexualized image in no way undermines her claim that she is a feminist, research has shown that such images have a negative impact on the self-image of the young women who Beyonce claims to empower. Through an examination of how black female bodies have been objectified throughout history and how these images have both negatively impacted women and undermined the goals of the feminist movement, it becomes clear that Beyonce would be a more effective feminist icon if her public image was more in line with the goals of a movement in which she claims to be a member. Because of her self-described role as a feminist and because she has so much influence on young women, it is crucial that Beyonce sends the right message.”

Complex Claim Activity  Take a moment to review the complex claim you wrote about Beyonce/Feminism on Wednesday. Revise accordingly.

Complex Claim Activity  Take a moment to review the complex claim you wrote about Beyonce/Feminism on Wednesday. Revise accordingly.  Now, get into groups of four.  Pick the best complex claim of the group.

Complex Claim Activity  Work together to revise the winning complex claim using the following questions as your guide (10 minutes):  What are your overall thoughts on the complex claim? Does this have all five elements of a complex claim (claim, counterargument, evidence, road map, stakes)? Which element is strongest and why? What could be improved and why?  Is the claim specific and arguable? What suggestions do you have for improvement or why do you think it’s so strong?  Does the author present a brief overview of evidence for their claim? How does this evidence support the claim (or not)? Does the order the evidence is presented make sense?  Why does this claim matter? Does the author make it clear what the stakes are here?  Does the author provide a counter-argument/concession? What do you think of the counter- argument/concession? Does it help strengthen the claim? Why or why not? Is it sign-posted with a transition word so you can tell it’s a counterargument/concession?

Complex Claim Activity  Once your group has revised your winning complex claim, have someone come up and type the finalized claim into the “Winning Claims” document  When all the complex claims are up, we’ll vote as a class for the best claim of all.  THEN: PRIZES!