1. Persuasive Paragraphs
Claims and Topic Sentences

2. Claim A persuasive paragraph makes a claim.
A claim is an arguable point.
A claim has to be backed up through reasoning.
…NOT “because I said so”

3. Types of Claims Claims of Policy Claims of Value Claims of Fact
Assert one course of action is superior to another course of action.
Ex: go to the movies vs. stay in for the night; go to war vs. attempt peace
Claims of Value
Assert something is better or more desirable than something else.
Ex: Yankees better team than Red Sox; Mark is cuter than Dan
Claims of Fact
Assert that something is true or not true.
Ex: Civil was caused by tensions between the North and South; Cell phones do not cause cancer.

4. What type of claim is usually used in persuasive paragraphs, especially those about literature?

5. What type of claim is usually used in persuasive paragraphs, especially those about literature? Claims of Fact

6. Claims of Fact: Persuasive Paragraphs
When writing a persuasive paragraph, we claim that something is true and defend our claim.
A theme in the story is…
America won the revolutionary war because…
We assert something, and then defend our assertion through reasoning.

7. Examples of Claims “The Telltale Heart” “The Monkey’s Paw”
The narrator is an unreliable narrator.
Poe uses symbolism to create suspense.
The narrator is a character the reader sympathizes with.
“The Monkey’s Paw”
The story shows that fate rules people’s lives.
The paw symbolizes human weakness.
The story explores the theme of despair.
These are all arguable points. They have to be defended with reasoning.

8. More Examples of Claims
The “Toy Story” movies are both children’s films and adult films.
David Ortiz is the best left handed clutch hitter in baseball history.
The Revolutionary War can also be considered America’s first civil war.
Global warming will increase as populations in developing countries continue to rise.

9. Topic Sentences
A topic sentence is the beginning sentence of a persuasive paragraph.
The topic sentence explains the claim of the paragraph to the reader.
The topic sentence explains what the persuasive paragraph is trying to prove.

10. Topic Sentence Examples:
The Telltale Heart
Claim: The narrator is an unreliable narrator
Topic Sentence: In “The Telltale Heart,” the narrator of the story is clearly and unreliable narrator.
Claim: The narrator’s beating heart symbolizes guilt
Topic Sentence: In “The Telltale Heart,” the narrator’s guilt is symbolized by the beating heart he claims to hear at the story’s ending.

11. Topic Sentences
The topic sentence should clearly state the claim the paragraph will be making.
A topic sentence should include any background information the reader needs to understand the claim. The claim should be elaborated.
A topic sentence should include words that help make the writing more convincing and professional.

12. Topic Sentence Examples:
The Monkey’s Paw
Claim: The story shows fate rules people’s lives.
Topic Sentence: The ordeal the White family goes through in “The Monkey’s Paw” shows the reader that fate rules people’s lives.
Claim: The story explores the theme of despair.
Topic Sentence: In “The Money’s Paw,” the theme of despair is explored through the author’s characterization of Mr. and Mrs. White after Herbert’s death.