1. Claim, Data, Argument
A model for analyzing arguments adapted from the work of Stephen Toulmin

2. Is this for paragraphs or essays?
Both!
The claim, data, argument model works as a way to organize individual paragraphs and the larger arguments of a full essay.

3. Claim
Definition: A claim states the position that will be defended in the paragraph or essay.
What is your claim?
Examples:
George, from Of Mice and Men, is a villain.
OR George, from Of Mice and Men, is a hero.

4. Data
Definition:: Data is the evidence the writer cites that supports his or her claim.
What 2-4 pieces of evidence from John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men support your claim that George is either a villain or a hero?
This evidence will come in the form of specific examples, quotations, or secondary research findings.

5. Argument
Definition: The argument interprets your data, showing how the data supports your claim or explaining why the data proves your claim.
In trials, for example, opposing lawyers often agree on the data but dispute the arguments. They would argue that the set of data presented proves their point rather than the opposing side’s point.
Go back to your data. Make sure you can connect each piece of evidence/data to your position on George’s character (your claim). Those explanations are your arguments.

6. Claim, Data, Argument: A paragraph
George is a villain because he intentionally harms Lennie on multiple occasions. George admits he “used to play jokes on [Lennie] ‘cause he was too dumb to take care of himself” (Steinbeck 40); he even convinced Lennie to jump into a river—although George knew Lennie could not swim. His mistreatment of Lennie even leads to Lennie’s death—George “pulled the trigger” (Steinbeck 104) that led to Lennie’s demise. A villain is a person who purposefully causes emotional, mental, or physical harm to another being; George certainly does this to Lennie. George often took advantage of Lennie’s disability and used his disability and his trust in George as a way to torment Lennie. Eventually, the violence toward Lennie escalated until George commits premeditated murder. George did not care about Lennie, which is why Lennie became his victim.

7. Claim, Data, Argument: A paragraph, second example
George is a villain because he intentionally harms Lennie on multiple occasions. George admits he “used to play jokes on [Lennie] ‘cause he was too dumb to take care of himself” (Steinbeck 40); he even convinced Lennie to jump into a river—although George knew Lennie could not swim. George often took advantage of Lennie’s disability and used his disability and his trust in George as a way to torment Lennie. His mistreatment of Lennie even leads to Lennie’s death—George “pulled the trigger” (Steinbeck 104) that led to Lennie’s demise. The act of premeditated murder suggests that George did not really care about Lennie. A villain is a person who purposefully causes emotional, mental, or physical harm to another being; George certainly does this to Lennie.

8. Now you try it! Writing Assignment for Act 1 of The Crucible.
Choose the following topic or create one of your own (get yours preapproved with me).
Topic: By the end of Act 1, the girls dancing in the woods (and dabbling in other things they should not have been doing) turned into a litany of people being charged with witchcraft. Who, in your opinion, is most responsible?
Come up with an answer to the question and write it in the form of a CLAIM.
Find 2-3 pieces of DATA (textual evidence—at least one of which must be in the form of a quotation) to support your claim.
Create an ARGUMENT in which you elaborate upon your data and explain how it connects to your claim. Do not say something like, “This quote supports the claim because…”
Use three highlighter colors. Highlight your data one color, your claim another, and your argument another.

9. Now you try it! Writing Assignment for Act 2 of The Crucible.
Choose one of the following topics or create one of your own (get yours preapproved with me).
Topic: Based on what you know from Acts 1 and 2, is John Proctor a respectable character?
Topic: Is Elizabeth’s reactions to John’s infidelity reasonable or unreasonable?
Come up with an answer to the question and write it in the form of a CLAIM.
Find 2-3 pieces of DATA (textual evidence—at least one of which must be in the form of a quotation) to support your claim.
Create an ARGUMENT in which you elaborate upon your data and explain how it connects to your claim. Do not say something like, “This quote supports the claim because…”
Use three highlighter colors. Highlight your data one color, your claim another, and your argument another.

10. Act 4 Writing Assignment
Choose one of the following topics or create one of your own (get yours preapproved with me).
Topic: Is John Proctor a hero or a villain?
Topic: The word “crucible” has two meanings: “a container for melting or purifying metals” and “a severe test.” Which character do you think faces the greatest challenge in the play and becomes the truest form of what he or she truly is?
Come up with an answer to the question and write it in the form of a CLAIM.
Find 2-3 pieces of DATA (textual evidence—at least one of which must be in the form of a quotation) to support your claim.
Create an ARGUMENT in which you elaborate upon your data and explain how it connects to your claim. Do not say something like, “This quote supports the claim because…”
Use three highlighter colors. Highlight your data one color, your claim another, and your argument another.