Guide to Write an Effective Claim in Argumentative Essay

Introduction

Claim in an argumentative essay pertains to the author’s central argument, which is the key idea of the essay. Reasons and contentious essay is the central point around which the whole essay revolves. It serves as an anchor, and an effective claim is a foundation upon which you build the entire essay. Claim in an argumentative essay must be strong and specific. A vague claim leads to ambiguity and comprises coherence and clarity. So, it is important to write an effective claim in an argumentative essay and spend some time formulating the claim. This article will guide you on how to write an effective claim in an argumentative essay.

What is a claim in an argumentative essay?

Claim in an argumentative essay is the core argument of the essay. It is the most crucial aspect of a research paper. A claim sets a clear indication of the essay’s objectives, direction, and scope. Claim in an argumentative essay is an assertion supported by evidence. Claims are not factual, opinions, or universal statements. A claim is an argumentative statement that focuses on a specific issue and takes a clear stance. Claim in an argumentative essay is complex, specific, and precise. It is important to remember that a claim is not a descriptive statement. A descriptive statement does not involve critique or analysis. It just describes the situation or the problem without arguing anything. Arguments and evidence cannot support a descriptive claim. For example:

• The writing styles of Aldous Huxley and Frank Kafka are very different.

The statement mentioned above is just a description of the differences in the two authors’ writing styles. The statement is not arguing anything and subsequently cannot be supported by evidence. It is just stating what exists. On the other hand, a claim is debatable and challengeable. A claim must be supported by ample evidence and logical reasoning. For example:

• Romanticism influenced the writing style of Aldous Huxley, and Franz Kafka’s writing style reflected existential themes, but the core ideas of both authors emanate from the disillusion caused by wars, famine, and plagues.

The example mentioned above makes a debatable point and can be supported with evidence.

What is the difference between an opinion and a claim in an argumentative essay?

An opinion cannot be supported by evidence. But instead, one can support an opinion by incorporating more opinions. For example:

• Pancakes are delicious
• Cricket is better than badminton

The statements mentioned above are just opinions. They are only stating the likes and dislikes of a particular person, so they are the opinions. These opinions are not researchable and debatable.

On the other hand, a claim in an argumentative essay is arguable, and it must be supported with evidence. A claim has pivotal importance in argumentative essays, and claims are further strengthened by subsequent arguments, reasoning, and evidence. For example:

• Thomas and Martha’s pancakes are more delicious than other pancakes because they have a nice fluffy texture and softness with a thin texture coupled with a buttery taste.

The example mentioned above makes a claim, and hence it is arguable. Evidence can be used to strengthen, validate, or refute the claim.

How can you write an effective claim in an argumentative essay?

1. Start with a Question

Every claim starts with questioning. An inquisitive mind is curious about knowing things. You must have a sense of wonder and ask why and how something exists or happens. A question can help you get ideas and transform them into a claim in an argumentative essay. You can ask one question or more than one question to find the answers to the different aspects of one issue. Asking questions will compel you to do some research and find ideas. It is important to remember that the question must be specific. A vague question leads to vague answers and, ultimately, a vague claim. For example:

Vague Question: Is social media bad?

Clear and Debatable Question: Should children below 18 years old be allowed to use social media?

Vague Question: Is smoking bad for health?

Clear and Debatable Questions: Does smoking hurts the cognitive development of teenagers?

2. Brainstorm

Once you formulate a question and do some research, you will get some ideas related to your query. Note those ideas and use concept mapping or mind mapping to find connections between the ideas. You will have to examine different aspects of the issue and pick up one or two debatable aspects that can be supported by evidence. It is important to write your ideas freely, and once you have put down your thoughts on paper, you will be able to write a coherent claim in an argumentative essay.

3. Simple to Complex

A simple claim is not strong enough that you can support with evidence and reasoning. An argumentative essay is a critical form of writing that requires a complex claim. A simple claim means a statement that you think is right or wrong. But remember, an argumentative essay is not about your opinions or how you feel about something. A complex claim acknowledges the opposite views and provides ample evidence to support the claim. For example:

• Greenhouse gases are detrimental to the environment because they are responsible for global warming and destroying marine life and are the main factors in the melting of glaciers, causing a significant increase in global temperatures.

The statement mentioned above is a simple claim which is debatable but not complex. A complex claim in an argumentative essay must acknowledge the ideas of others. You can do the following things to turn a simple claim into a complex claim.

4. Use contrast words

You can use contrast words to incorporate the counterclaims in your claim. For example:

• But
• Despite
• Although
• Conversely
• By contrast
• On the contrary
• Yet
• While
• Regardless
• However
• Nevertheless
• On the other hand

Now, look at the following example, which is a complex claim:

Clean energy is expensive and difficult to implement; however, the benefits of clean energy outweigh the costs.

Conclusion

Claim in an argumentative essay must be explainable, debatable, and complex. It must be researchable, and you must use ample evidence to strengthen your claim. An argumentative essay is not about right and wrong. It pertains to stating a claim and supporting it with evidence and logical reasoning.

Author Bio:

Robert Fawl is a professional Content writer & Content Marketer. Based in London, Robert is an author and blogger with experience in encounter composing on various topics including but not limited to Buy Dissertation Online, Buy Assignment Online and Buy Essay Online, etc.