Determine whether the following statements are Fact or Opinion and then explain why you think that. 1. Dancing is a safe and healthy activity. (Fact or Opinion. Explain) 2.Hip hop dancing has been featured in movies such as Step Up and Stomp the Yard. (Fact or Opinion. Explain) 3.Ballet dancing requires more training than hip hop dancing. (Fact or Opinion. Explain)

The elements of an argumentative essay.

What is Claim, Data, Warrant?

I can determine my Claim, Data and Warrant for any given text. This means: I know the definitions for claim, data and warrant. I can form a logical opinion and back it up with facts.

Composed of three main elements: Ω Claims Ω Data/Evidence Ω Warrants

Ω First of all, what it is not. It is not a fight. Although you may, and probably should, feel passionate about your topic, arguments are supposed to be intellectual activities not shouting matches. Ω However, an argument does involve two opposing points of view. This means that you must include the opposing side, even if only briefly.

Ω Claim, data, warrant (CDW) is a formal and logical writing style. Ω CDW helps you PROVE your thoughts in a logical way using evidence. Ω It also can be used for answering open response questions, discussion questions, or writing paragraphs & essays. Ω You can use it in any class.

Ω Claim – a thesis about a topic Ω Data – the support (evidence) about a topic Ω Warrant – a general, unspoken rule that most people would agree upon

Definition: A claim states your position on the issue/topic you have chosen to write about. It answers the questions: Ω What point will your essay or paragraph try to make? AND Ω What belief or opinion will you be defending?

Ω A good claim is logical; it emerges from the reasonable consideration of evidence. Ω A good claim is debatable. Claims that are purely factual, and claims that are only opinion fail this requirement. You cannot argue mattes of personal taste. Fact: There are many homeless people in the US. Taste: Comedies are better than dramas.

Ω A good claim is not obvious. Why bother proving a point with which nobody could disagree? Ω A good claim is engaging. Consider your audience’s attention span and make an interesting claim which points out new ideas: teach the reader something new. Ω A good claim is not overly vague. It is specific. Attacking enormous issues leads only to generalizations and vague assertions.

Definition: The evidence which you cite to support your claim. Like a lawyer presenting evidence to a jury, you must support your claim with facts; and unsupported claim is merely an opinion.

Facts or Statistics: a point of evidence that claims some objective Expert Testimony: a stated opinion be a person experienced in the field Case Study: a study based on facts and statistics that explains a point

Ω Examples to support your claim Ω Cited quotes from the text to support your claim Ω Cited references to the text to support your claim Ω Cited statistics to support your claim Ω Content specific vocabulary that supports your claim

Definition: The warrant interprets the evidence and shows how it connects to the claim. It is a general assumption that most people agree upon or believe to be true. In other words, the warrant/rule explains why the evidence proves the claim. It is the most important part. If it is not strong and logical, it will ruin your argument. It is probably the most difficult part to write.

Ω The explanation of how the evidence support the claim. Ω Explains how the example, statistic, quote, or reference supports the claim. Ω Explains the significance of the evidence.

Ω A good warrant will be a reasonable explanation of facts.. Ω A good warrant will not make unreasonable explanation or leaps. It is logical. Ω A good warrant may consider and respond to possible counter-arguments.

This is the main point of the argument. What you are trying to prove. Example: Elizabeth Eckford would believe that racism has completely diminished in schools today.

Ω Includes facts, statistics, or quotes from the text that back up your opinion. Example: “So, I walked further down the line of guards to where there was another sidewalk and I attempted to pass through there. But when I stepped up, they crossed rifles. It was only then that I realized that they were barring me, that I wouldn’t go to school."

Ω The “So What?” – How does your evidence back up your claim? Example: When Elizabeth went to school there were guards at every entrance to keep out all African American students. However, in schools today, we have a diverse culture of students from every background; including African American students.

Ω Sometimes it helps to create a diagram of the claim, data, and warrant that looks like the example below. Claim Data Warrant Elizabeth would believe racism doesn’t exist in school today. Elizabeth was barred from entering the school because she was African American. We have many diverse cultures in our schools today. since

Ω A claim is made. Ω Evidence is produced in the form of logical facts. Ω The Warrant connects the Evidence/Data to the Claim.

1. Claim 2. Introduce first piece of evidence (cite if needed) 3. Warrant 4. Transition and second pieces of evidence (cite if needed) 5. Warrant 6. More evidence or conclusion

Think of our discussion on racism and the American Dream. Develop a Claim, Data and Warrant using our diagram. CLAIMDATA WARRANT Since