2.1 Claims & Thesis

A claim is arguable

A claim is a statement the writer wants the audience to accept; it must be arguable, not a plain fact. 'Recess improves learning' is a claim; 'Recess is a break period' is a fact.

Thesis and defensibility

The main claim is the thesis. A strong thesis is defensible — it can be supported with reasons and evidence — and takes a clear position rather than sitting on the fence.

Claims of fact, value, policy

Claims come in kinds: fact (what is true), value (what is good or right), and policy (what should be done). Knowing the type clarifies what evidence the argument needs.

Key terms

Claim

An arguable statement a writer wants the audience to accept.

Thesis

The main, defensible claim of an argument.

Claim of fact

An assertion about what is or is not true.

Claim of value

An assertion about what is good, right, or worthwhile.

Claim of policy

An assertion about what should be done.

Try an AP-style question

Which is an arguable claim?

1. Schools should ban phones during class
2. Phones were invented in the 1970s
3. Phones use batteries
4. Many students own phones