Which statement is an example of an effective claim for an argumentative essay? Show
a. The primary role of federal government is to offer services that citizens cannot provide for An argumentative thesis must make a claim about which reasonable people can disagree. Statements of fact or areas of general agreement cannot be argumentative theses because few people disagree about them. ExampleJunk food is bad for your health is not a debatable thesis. Most people would agree that junk food is bad for your health. Because junk food is bad for your health, the size of sodas offered at fast-food restaurants should be regulated by the federal government is a debatable thesis. Reasonable people could agree or disagree with the statement. AssertiveAn argumentative thesis takes a position, asserting the writer’s stance. Questions, vague statements, or quotations from others are not an argumentative thesis because they do not assert the writer’s viewpoint. ExampleFederal immigration law is a tough issue about which many people disagree is not an arguable thesis because it does not assert a position. Federal immigration enforcement law needs to be overhauled because it puts undue constraints on state and local police is an argumentative thesis because it asserts a position that immigration enforcement law needs to be changed. ReasonableAn argumentative thesis must make a claim that is logical and possible. Claims that are outrageous or impossible are not argumentative thesis. ExampleCity council members stink and should be thrown in jail is not an argumentative thesis. City council members’ ineffectiveness is not a reason to send them to jail. City council members should be term limited to prevent one group or party from maintaining control indefinitely is an arguable thesis because term limits are possible, and shared political control is a reasonable goal. Evidence BasedAn argumentative thesis must be able to be supported by evidence. Claims that presuppose value systems, morals, or religious beliefs cannot be supported with evidence and therefore are not argumentative theses. ExampleIndividuals convicted of murder will go to hell when they die is not an argumentative thesis because its support rests on religious beliefs or values rather than evidence. Rehabilitation programs for individuals serving life sentences should be funded because these programs reduce violence within prisons is an argumentative thesis because evidence such as case studies and statistics can be used to support it. FocusedAn argumentative thesis must be focused and narrow. A focused, narrow claim is clearer, more able to be supported with evidence, and more persuasive than a broad, general claim. ExampleThe federal government should overhaul the U.S. tax code is not an effective argumentative thesis because it is too general (What part of the government? Which tax codes? What sections of those tax codes?) and would require an overwhelming amount of evidence to be fully supported. The U.S. House of Representative should vote to repeal the federal estate tax because the revenue generated by that tax is negligible is an effective argumentative thesis because it identifies a specific actor and action and can be fully supported with evidence about the amount of revenue the estate tax generates. Formulating a claim for your essay can be difficult even if you are already a masterful debater — especially if you are not quite sure what a claim is, and how it may differ from a counterclaim or thesis statement. This guide will make it easy to decide on your claim! Essay Claim BasicsIn essay writing, a claim can most succinctly be defined as “a debatable statement” — which the writer then defends with supporting evidence and rhetoric. It is easy to confuse a claim and a thesis statement, because the thesis is indeed a type of claim as well. Essays can contain further claims that orbit the topic of the thesis statement, however. Claims straddle the line between opinion and fact. If you’re hoping to make a strong claim that seamlessly fits into a powerful essay, you will need to make sure that your claim ticks the right boxes:
Types of Claim (With Examples!)Claims are debatable statements, but there are numerous different types. If you have specifically been asked to present a claim in an essay, you may be able to choose what kind of claim you would like to work with. 1. Claim of Fact or DefinitionIn research essays, a claim of fact or definition is one that defines a fact, as you see it, and proceeds to lay out the evidence in favor of the claim. Here are some examples to show you how it works:
2. Claim of Cause & EffectIn a claim of cause and effect, you argue that one thing causes another, such as:
3. Claim of ValueClaims of value are more heavily opinion-based than other types of claims. If you are making a claim of value, you will usually want to compare two things. For example:
4. Claim of Solution or PolicyClaims of solution or policy state a position on a proposed course of action. In high school and college essays, they typically focus on something that should be done, or something that should no longer be done. Examples might include:
Claim vs. Counterclaim vs. Thesis StatementIf you’ve been told to make an essay claim, you may be confused about the differences between a claim, counterclaim, and thesis statement. That’s understandable, because some people believe that there’s no difference between a claim and a thesis statement. There are important distinctions between these three concepts, however, and if you want to write a killer essay, it’s important to be aware of them:
Together, a thesis statement, claims, and some well-placed counterclaims make up the threads of your story, leading to a coherent essay that is interesting to read. How to Write an Effective ClaimNow that you’ve seen some examples, you are well on your way to writing an effective claim for your essay. Need some extra tips? We’ve got you covered. First things first — how do you start a claim in an essay? Your claim sentence or sentences should be written in the active voice, starting with the subject, so that your readers can immediately understand what you are talking about. They’ll be formulated as an “[Subject] should be [proposed action], because [argument]. You can stay with this general structure while making different word choices, however, such as:
Once you have formulated a claim, you will want to see if you can hook your readers with an interesting or provocative statement that can really get them thinking. You will want to break your argument down into sections. This will lead you to sub-claims. If your claim is your main argument, your sub-claims are smaller arguments that work to support it. They will typically appear naturally once you contemplate the subject deeply — just brainstorm, and as you research, keep considering why your claim is true. The reasons you come up with will sprout sub-claims. Still not sure what to write? Take a look at these examples of strong claim statements:
Additional Tips in Writing a Claim the Right WayYou now know what you need to include in a claim paragraph to leave a strong impression. Understanding what not to do is equally important, however. Do:
What should you avoid in writing a claim, you wonder? Don’t:
FAQsHow do you use a claim? When you’re writing your essay, you can think of the thesis statement as the spine. The claims you make are, then, your “ribs”, so to speak. If you prefer a different analogy, the thesis is your trunk, and the claims branches. You use them to build a strong final product that shows you have considered all aspects of your argument, and can back them up with evidence and logic. What is a good way to start a claim? You can start with a shocking fact, objective data from a reliable source, or even an anecdote — or, if you prefer, you can simply offer your argument without bells and whistles. Can a claim be in a paragraph or is it a single sentence only? Claims are almost always limited to a single sentence. It can be a long compound sentence, though! The claim does not have to remain all alone in the paragraph. You can immediately surround it with rhetorical punches or further facts. What are some examples of argumentative claims? So, you want to learn to argue like a pro? Watching speeches politicians make is a great way to look out for claims, and court transcripts and academic debates are two other places you can look for great argumentative claims. Is there a claim generator you can use? Yes! Some claim generators are free to use, while others require a subscription. These tools can be interesting to play with, and can serve as inspiration. However, it’s always best to tweak your final claim to fit your needs. Which statement is an example of an effective claim for an argumentative essay the free enterprise system has forced?Which statement is an example of an effective claim for an argumentative essay? The free enterprise system has forced some people out of business, allowing only large wealthy companies and people to succeed.
Where is the claim in an argumentative essay?The claim is the position being taken in the argument – the thesis. Three types of claims are as follows: fact, value, and policy. Claims of fact attempt to establish that something is or is not the case. Claims of value attempt to establish the overall worth, merit, or importance of something.
Which statements best describe an effective claim in an argumentative essay select two?Which statements best describe an effective claim in an argumentative essay? Select two options. It is precise and clear. It is debatable but cannot be refuted.
What is a claim in an argumentative paper quizlet?A claim is a statement that the writer wants the reader to accept as true. A claim is open to a challenge (debatable). In other words, the reader may disagree with the writer. thesis statement. A one-sentence statement of the purpose or main point of an essay.
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