Topic 1: Claims

Question 1

What is a claim?

Answer 1

The major conclusion or main idea the author is trying to persuade you to accept; it defines the paper’s goals, direction, and scope.

Question 2

Why is identifying the claim important when analyzing an argument?

Answer 2

Because you cannot evaluate the argument without first identifying what the author is trying to prove.

Question 3

Can a text have more than one claim?

Answer 3

Yes — there may be a central claim and multiple secondary claims.

Question 4

What is an uncontested claim?

Answer 4

A claim we usually accept without question; does not require supporting evidence to be considered valid.

Question 5

Give 3 examples of uncontested claims.

Answer 5

“It’s colder in Montreal than in Florida.” (personal experience)

“Canada was founded in 1867.” (historical fact)

“The radius of a circle equals half its diameter.” (technical fact)

Question 6

What is a contestable claim?

Answer 6

A claim that can be challenged; it requires reasoning and evidence to justify its validity.

Question 7

How might authors try to make a contestable claim sound uncontested?

Answer 7

By using phrases like “in fact” or “there is no doubt” to create false certainty.

Question 8

What determines whether we accept or reject a contestable claim?

Answer 8

The quality of the reasoning and evidence provided by the author.