1. In an argumentative essay, you will make a claim and present evidence or logic to support the claim.
A claim is the main point you want your reader to accept. A claim contains the following elements:
You think it is true.
You can support with accurate and reasonable information
Expect some readers will disagree with; it is debatable.

2. Example of a Claim
All 8th grade students should be required to take a foreign language.
People may agree or disagree, but both sides could back up their view with reasons that could explain their position.

3. Most claims are made for one of the following purposes:
Clarify a definition
Explain a cause or effect
Make a judgment
Advocate an action
The claim in an argumentative essay almost always appears in the last sentence of the first paragraph.
The claim in an argumentative paragraph almost always appears in the first sentence.

4. Imagine your school is debating whether to allow students to bring their own e-book readers and tablets to school. Underline the claim in this paragraph and explain why you selected it.
Students should be allowed to bring and use their own iPads, e-book readers, and laptops at school. The main reason this is a good idea is that technology enhances learning. Students would have greater access to information for research projects and would be able to incorporate digital elements into their writing and speaking projects. Studies have shown that students with access to laptops at school significantly outscore a control group in the areas of mathematics and language arts. There are so many advantages to allowing students to bring their own technology to school.

5. Imagine your school is debating whether to allow students to bring their own e-book readers and tablets to school. Underline the claim in this paragraph and explain why you selected it.
Students should be allowed to bring and use their own iPads, e-book readers, and laptops at school. The main reason this is a good idea is that technology enhances learning. Students would have greater access to information for research projects and would be able to incorporate digital elements into their writing and speaking projects. Studies have shown that students with access to laptops at school significantly outscore a control group in the areas of mathematics and language arts. There are so many advantages to allowing students to bring their own technology to school.

6. Students should be allowed to bring and use their own iPads, e-book readers, and laptops at school.
I selected this as the claim because it is the statement the writer is trying to convince readers to accept. The other statements in the paragraph are reasons why the reader should accept the writer’s claim.

7. Evaluate the following claims by writing “yes” or “no” in Is it debatable? and Is it precise? Columns. In the Revision column, rewrite the claim to make it better, or write “good” if no change is needed.
Claim
Is it debatable
Is it precise?
Revision
1. Every school in America should be protected by three or more armed police officers.
2. Physical education should not be a required class.
3. Our school has a dress code.

8. Weak Claim
Better Claim
Explanation
1. Abraham Lincoln was a great president.
Because he freed the slaves and kept the United States from splitting into two separate countries, Abraham Lincoln was America’s greatest president.
2. I think that The Hunger Games is better than the Harry Potter series.
Students can relate more to the problems faced by Katniss in The Hunger Games than those faced by Harry in the Harry Potter series.
3. Kids like to eat sugar.
Parents should limit the amount of sugar their children eat.

9. Your assignment: Write a claim that you can support using this passage.
Take Concussions Out of Play: Learn to Prevent, Recognize, and Respond to Concussions
The Center for Disease Control estimates 173, 285 sports and recreation related traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions, among children and adolescents are treated in U.S. emergency departments each year.
A bump, blow, or jolt to the head can cause a concussion, a type of TBI. Concussions can also occur from the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious.
Concussions can occur in any sport or recreation activity. So, all coaches, parents and athletes need to learn concussion signs and symptoms and what to do if a concussion occurs.