How to Write a Claim Statement in an Essay?

When you make an argument in writing and use supporting evidence to back it up, you are making a claim. Claims are common in essays and research papers and are a type of thesis statement that projects the main idea of the content with related evidence. Knowing how to write a claim is a skill that students learn in school through assignments, argumentative essays, literary analysis, and so on, where they need to present claims and back them with evidence.

Understandably, writing a claim statement with supporting evidence is not every student’s forte. For instance, if your argument lacks solid evidence, you’ll fail to accomplish the goal of your paper. Fortunately, there’s help. You can hire writers from MyAssignmentHelp or buy argumentative essays online to turn in quality papers on time and meet your professors’ expectations. These professionals offer extensive guidance so you develop a clear picture of the fundamentals and gain confidence in writing.

Although professional essay help is just a click away, claiming in essay papers doesn’t have to be complex. It would help if you got the basics right to develop effective arguments favoring your claim. The following sections will discuss everything you must know about writing a claim. So sit tight!

What Is Making A Claim In An Essay?

A claim in writing is the presentation of the primary ideas in the form of an argument supported by concrete evidence. It is a matter of opinion, stated as a fact. As a writer, your aim should be to make an effective statement supporting your claim. Let’s look at an example to better understand the difference between a statement and a claim.

Statement: If your essay’s opening sentence is “I own a house,” it is certainly not a claim. There’s nothing debatable about owning something. It’s a regular statement.

Claim: If your essay’s opening sentence is “Every school should include sex education in their academic curriculum,” this is a claim. Since the topic is one that many people will disagree with, your goal should be to provide supporting facts to justify your stand.

Use of Claims in Academic Writing

Claims are common in both academic and professional worlds for the following types of writing:

• Argumentative essays – Such papers focus on controversial issues and present relevant evidence to back up writers’ statements.
• Research papers – Academic research reports are uniquely designed to provide strong proof to confirm or refute a writer’s hypothesis, a type of claim.
• Persuasive essays – Similar to argumentative papers, persuasive essays use fact-based information to support a writer’s stand with proof.
• Persuasive memos – Designed to convince readers to act or believe a standpoint with reasonable evidence
• Literary analysis – For literary analysis, writers argue about a literary work and provide supporting proof.
• Persuasive speeches – Presented orally, many start with an outline to provide evidence for the main argument.

Importance of Evidence in Writing Claim Statements

Evidence is information or data used as proof to support an idea. Your argument results from careful reviewing and understanding of the supporting evidence. Instead of assuming readers’ expectations with your viewpoint, you should provide a logical, fact-based argument with valid information so they can draw their own conclusions. Common types of evidence generally used are:

• Facts, statistics, and data from investigative interviews
• Direct observation of an occurrence
• Primary research reports through experiments or content analysis
• Synthesis of secondary research like literature recap
• Expert opinions and examples of previous encounters

Writing a Claim Statement in an Essay

Now that you know the basics, check out some tips and guidelines for writing a claim in academic papers:

• Focus on the main topic: Start your paper with the topic sentence or the thesis statement while focusing on the main topic. Directly announce the main idea of the claim statement and keep it short. Use proper logic and evidence to back up your claim.
• Keep your argument short: Write your argument in one sentence, or reserve one paragraph for each argument if you want to establish more than one viewpoint. Support each argument with proof and propose a possible solution.
• Be specific and affirmative: The last thing you want is for your statement to be riddled with unnecessary facts and details. Determine the argument you want to make and be assertive. Also, use your evidence effectively. It should be relevant and statement-focused.
• Pick a different approach: One effective way to attract readers’ attention is to take a different approach. So, take a unique approach to state the facts, opinions, and definitions. It should attract readers and keep them engaged in your essay.
• Determine what you want to prove: Instead of making an ambiguous statement, you’ll later struggle to support, choose something you can easily prove. Analyze the topic clearly and check if your evidence is strong enough to support your claim in your essay.
• Stick to a definitive but firm tone: Your readers should perceive your claim as strong and definitive. Use words like “because” or “though.” Avoid multiple long and complex sentences. Keep things easy and reader-friendly instead.
• Mind the placement of your claim: A claim statement plays a critical role in academic essays, so it should be placed in the introduction. That way, readers can easily get to it without reading too much text.

What to Include in Your Claim Paragraph?

Generally, an argumentative claim appears in the first paragraph, paired with a hook, to form the introduction of an essay. The hook should be interesting and prick readers’ interest to read the main points being argued in the essay. In short, the claim paragraph should include:

• Thesis statement or hook
• The main topic and claim
• The argument for the claim
• Supporting examples and evidence

Examples of Argumentative Claims

Let’s analyse a few argumentative claim examples to clarify a claim in writing. Not all statements listed below are commonly accepted as facts and can invite varied responses. Each can be a matter of opinion since some may agree with them while you don’t and vice versa. Hence, before deciding your essay focus, determine if you have enough points to develop an effective argument.

• Students should focus on skill development to work effectively in a digital work setting.
• School uniforms are essential for promoting inclusivity in an educational environment, regardless of students’ socioeconomic background.
• Living near the coastal areas is increasingly becoming hazardous, considering the severity of natural calamities.
• Yoga has both physical and mental benefits
• Children under 12 should be restricted from using social media sites
• People who walk at least 10,000 steps daily enjoy better health than those who don’t
• Excessive carbohydrate consumption is the primary cause of overweight.
•  For many individuals and couples, dining outside is more economical than cooking at home.

What Is A Counterclaim In An Essay?

A counterclaim or a rebuttal is an alternative argument to a claim. If someone presents a rebuttal to your statement with strong evidence, it’s their stand on a point. It will be completely on them to prove their stand as you did with yours. Debates involve arguments and counterarguments, where each participant prepares their argumentative claims and delivers solid rebuttals to their opponent’s statements.

Claim, Counterclaim, and Thesis Statement – Understanding the Differences

• A claim is the main argument of your essay, defining a paper’s goals, direction, and scope. It should be focused, argumentative, nuanced, complex, and detailed. For example, a focused statement like “Elementary schools should ban junk food to control growing obesity epidemic” is more effective than a general statement saying, “Junk food is harmful.”
• A counterclaim is an opposing stand to an initial argument. For instance, if you want to settle a traffic accident lawsuit, you would naturally insist that the driver is 100% responsible for speeding. However, the driver may counter you, saying you are 20% responsible because you were talking on your phone while driving.
• A thesis statement is where you make a specific statement about an idea or topic. Since it can be challenged or debated, you should provide supportive evidence for all your arguments.

Endnote

A claim statement is an important part of essay writing because it helps to strengthen a writer’s standpoint. Therefore, it should be skillfully done with relevant examples and evidence. Remember the guidelines, tips, and suggestions above to write an effective and strong statement.