INVENTING ARGUMENTS:

CHAPTER 2 Rooney - English 127

CLAIMS The Building Block of Argument

WHAT IS A CLAIM? The main argumentative position (or thesis) being put forward. Claim = assertion

Asserting

Claim

Supporting

Claim

Defending

Claim

Argument

WHAT IS ACADEMIC ARGUMENT?

Main Claim

Supporting

Claim

Support

Support

Supporting

Claim

Support

Support

TYPES OF CLAIMS

Argument

Claims of

Policy

Claims of Fact

Claims of

Value

CLAIMS OF FACT : Facts are Always in Dispute

Argue a condition does or does not

exist

Argue a condition

has or has not existed

Argue a condition will or will not exist

CLAIMS OF VALUE : Any Claim that Argues Worth

Argues that something

possesses a certain quality

(good, bad, just,

unreasonable, practical,

unfair)

Argues that something reflects or

embodies a certain quality

(good, bad, just,

unreasonable, practical,

unfair)

Argues that something should be

approved or disapproved

CLAIMS OF POLICY : Action or Change is Necessary

Argues that a particular change in behavior is necessary

Argues that a particular change in policy is

necessary

Argues that a particular change in attitude or approach is necessary

CONSTRUCTING CLAIMS

Type & Construct

ion of Claim

(Content)

Purpose of

Argument

Reaction of

Audience

CONSTRUCTING CLAIMS

I’m not saying

________

I’m saying

________=

Clarity

ACTIVITY In your group, discuss the following:1. Consider the blurring between news and entertainment. Develop

three argumentative claims (one fact, one value, and one policy) about this topic. Be sure to provide clarity in your claim!

2. Discuss this argument:

“I’m not gay; not that there is anything wrong with that.”

What is happening here? What is the purpose and (do you think) audience for this claim? How and why would and could this be effective?

CHARACTERISTIC OF CLAIMS

Focused Claims

Guide the attention to a particular aspect of an issue

Clear, direct language and incredibly specific

Arguable

ClaimsMake assertion that can be challenged on various grounds, inviting opposition

No room for questions, obvious facts, or limited perspectives.

Revelatory

ClaimsReveal an

unfamiliar topic or a new layer of a familiar one.

Challenge norms and show hidden

sides. Tear down the curtains, clear away dirt, and reveal the roots (and often the mess)

ACTIVITY In your group, discuss the following:1. Consider how the following unfocused thesis statements (main

claims) could be more focused. Be specific and offer at least two improved versions for each.

2. People should avoid large corporate retailers.3. King Lear is Shakespeare’s best work. 4. The settlers were wrong in driving out the Native Americans. 5. There are many good things about public television.