By: Konley Gill, Ashley Maxwell Claim By: Konley Gill, Ashley Maxwell

Definition Claim: A statement that asserts a belief or truth. In arguments, most claims require supporting evidence. Ex. My mom states that she’s the best pancake maker in the world.

The Claim Does the claim state a causal argument? Does the claim identify clearly what causes and effects are being examined? What about the claim will make it appeal to readers? Is the claim too sweeping? Does it need to be qualified? How might it be narrowed and foucued.

How strong is the relationship between the claim and the reasons given to support it? How could that relationship be made more explicit.

Academic Arguments Good claims are controversial. -you don’t want to debate something that everyone already agrees upon or accepts. Claim needs to say something consequential about an important or controversial topic and be supported with strong evidence and good reasons. Ex. The media's coverage of the Watergate scandal suggests that perhaps those in the media had already determined Nixon‟s guilt.

Authority Sometimes the claim of authority will be bold and personal. Writers usually establish their authority in less striking way. For example, attaching titles to their names like MD or PhD to subtly build authority.

Casual Arguments In developing a casual claim, you can examine the various types of causes and effects in play in a given argument and define their relationship. Then decide which are the most important for you to analyze or the easiest to defend or critique. Ex. Grade inflation is lowering the value of a college education. Ex. Sophisticated use of social media is now a must for any political candidate who hopes to win.

Definitional Arguments In addressing a question of definition, a tentative claim will most likely take place. -A tentative claim is a declarative statement that represents your first response to such situations. Ex. Theatergoers shouldn’t confuse musicals with operas. Ex. White lies are hard to define but easy to recognize. A claim of definition is usually a starting point that aren’t arguments until they’re attached to reasons, data, warrants and evidence.

Enthymeme An ordinary kind of sentence that includes both a claim and a reason but depends on the audience’s agreement with an assumption that is left implicit rather than spelled out. Ex. We’d better cancel the picnic because it’s going to rain. Ex. I’ll buy a PC instead of a Mac because it’s cheaper.

If you don’t have “hard facts” you can support claims with reason and common sense. -ex. Penguins are black and white. Some old television shows are black and white. Therefore, some penguins are old television shows. Few people use formal deductive reasoning to support claims.

Rhetorical Analysis How can I describe what this argument achieves? What aspects of the argument work better than others? What is the purpose and is it accomplished? How do the rhetorical elements interact?

Strengthening with Sources Use sources to strengthen or amplify a claim. The sources you encounter in developing a project won’t always agree with each other or you. In academic arguments, you don’t want to hide such differences, but instead point them out honestly and let readers make judgments based upon actual claims.

Visual Argument A simple icon-a skull and crossbones-can make a visual argument that implies a claim, a reason, and a warrant. Ex.