Claim — English definition

Defined in 6 courses:

The position or opinion an argument takes — a statement that reasonable people could agree or disagree with. (English 6)
A conclusion or position an argument asks a reader to accept. (English 7: Reading, Evidence & Expression)
The main position or argument an author is trying to prove. (English 8: Trust, Community & Responsibility)
The writer's main position on a debatable topic. (English 8: Trust, Community & Responsibility)
The main position or point an argument is trying to prove. (English 9: Experience, Perspective & Inquiry)
The precise, arguable position an argument sets out to prove. (English 10: Choices, Conscience & Consequences)

Where it is taught

Opinion & Argument Writing — Writing, English 6, Grade 6
Evaluate Arguments: Claims, Reasons & Evidence — Argument, Counterclaims & Revision, English 7: Reading, Evidence & Expression, Grade 7
Evaluating Arguments & Evidence — Argument & Rhetoric, English 8: Trust, Community & Responsibility, Grade 8
The Argumentative Essay — Argument & Rhetoric, English 8: Trust, Community & Responsibility, Grade 8
Analyzing an Argument: Claims, Reasoning & Evidence — Argument & Rhetoric, English 9: Experience, Perspective & Inquiry, Grade 9
Claims & Counterclaims — Argument, Rhetoric & Tragic Choices, English 10: Choices, Conscience & Consequences, Grade 10

In use

Every argument you write stands on one foundation: a clear claim.
Opinion & Argument Writing

The first asks whether it's relevant evidence — does it truly bear on this specific claim, or is it an impressive-sounding fact that quietly misses the point?
Evaluate Arguments: Claims, Reasons & Evidence

The claim is the position the writer wants you to accept.
Evaluating Arguments & Evidence

Questions using claim

Problem 1

Which of these is a strong, arguable claim rather than a plain fact or pure taste?

The Earth orbits the Sun.
Pizza is the tastiest food ever.
Our school should let sixth graders join the after-school clubs.
The gym has a basketball hoop.

Answer and explanation

Our school should let sixth graders join the after-school clubs.

This is specific and debatable — reasonable people could agree or disagree — unlike a scientific fact or a pure taste preference.

Problem 2

Explain why 'Summer is the best season' is a weak claim for a formal argument essay.

Answer and explanation

It's purely a matter of personal taste, so there's no objective evidence that could prove one season is 'best' for everyone. A strong argument claim needs to be something you can support with reasons and evidence, and 'best season' comes down to opinion that reasonable people will never settle.

Problem 3

Write a specific, arguable claim about something at your own school, one reason that supports it, and explain why your evidence would need to be relevant to that reason.

Answer and explanation

Example — Claim: Our school should add water-bottle filling stations in the hallways. Reason: the current fountains are crowded and slow, so students don't drink enough during the day. Relevant evidence would need to actually prove that reason — for example, timing how long the line at a fountain gets between classes — rather than an unrelated fact like how many students bring water bottles, which doesn't show the fountains are the problem.

Problem 4

Turn this vague opinion into a strong, arguable claim, then add one reason and one piece of relevant evidence: "Our lunch is bad."

Answer and explanation

Claim: 'Our school should offer at least one hot vegetarian option every day.' Reason: students who don't eat meat currently have few filling choices. Evidence (example): on meat-only days, the salad bar empties early, leaving some students with just a side and a roll.

Claim — English definition

Where it is taught

In use

Questions using claim

Problem 1

Problem 2

Problem 3

Problem 4

Response criteria

Taught alongside

Elsewhere