1. Claims
In the last sentence of your 1st paragraph you should make a claim.
A claim is the main point or your thesis. This is a theory you plan to prove.
A good claim should be a precise statement that you think is true.
A good claim should be backed up or validated with reasons and evidence to support those reasons.

2. Are these effective claims?
“Wrestling and basketball are both sports.”
“I like wrestling more than I like basketball.”
“Wrestling requires a broader range of skill than basketball so it is a better sport for students to learn.”
“All students should take a one-semester financial literacy course in middle school so they are prepared to use money wisely.”

3. Activity 1A Analyzing Claims (p. 13)
Note why each statement is a weak claim.
Statement
Weakness
1. The Mexican grizzly bear went extinct in the 1960s.
2. I wish I could have seen a Mexican grizzly bear.
3. A Russian, Yuri Gagarin, was the first human to travel in outer space.
4. I think Yuri Gagarin was very brave.

4. Activity 1A Analyzing Claims (p. 13)
Note why each statement is a weak claim.
Statement
Weakness
1. The Mexican grizzly bear went extinct in the 1960s.
All readers will agree with this.
2. I wish I could have seen a Mexican grizzly bear.
3. A Russian, Yuri Gagarin, was the first human to travel in outer space.
4. I think Yuri Gagarin was very brave.

5. Activity 1A Analyzing Claims (p. 13)
Note why each statement is a weak claim.
Statement
Weakness
1. The Mexican grizzly bear went extinct in the 1960s.
All readers will agree with this.
2. I wish I could have seen a Mexican grizzly bear.
This is a personal opinion that others cannot argue with.
3. A Russian, Yuri Gagarin, was the first human to travel in outer space.
4. I think Yuri Gagarin was very brave.

6. Activity 1A Analyzing Claims (p. 13)
Note why each statement is a weak claim.
Statement
Weakness
1. The Mexican grizzly bear went extinct in the 1960s.
All readers will agree with this.
2. I wish I could have seen a Mexican grizzly bear.
This is a personal opinion that others cannot argue with.
3. A Russian, Yuri Gagarin, was the first human to travel in outer space.
4. I think Yuri Gagarin was very brave.

7. Activity 1A Analyzing Claims (p. 13)
Note why each statement is a weak claim.
Statement
Weakness
1. The Mexican grizzly bear went extinct in the 1960s.
All readers will agree with this.
2. I wish I could have seen a Mexican grizzly bear.
This is a personal opinion that others cannot argue with.
3. A Russian, Yuri Gagarin, was the first human to travel in outer space.
4. I think Yuri Gagarin was very brave.

8. Your assignment:
Write two claims that would fit at the end of the following paragraph. One should argue in favor of keeping art and music classes. The other should argue in favor of focusing on reading, writing, and math.
The three r’s, “reading ‘riting, and ‘rithmetic,” have been the core of education in the United States since the 1800’s. In recent years, parent and teachers have been concerned about how well students are learning these basic skills. Out of this concern, many schools have dropped art and music classes so that students can spend more time learning to read, to write, and to do math.