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What is a claim? What is a defensible claim? How do we build substantial, defensible claims?

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Building a defensible claim

• A defensible claim is a statement about a subject that requires support with evidence. These are “controversial” because not everyone agrees with them, so they cannot be effective without evidence.

• When you make a claim about a text, it should not be a statement of fact.

• To prevent this, make sure you can say “prove it” about your statement and can then provide the evidence (and reasoning) for making that claim.

• A claim must be defensible

• Ask yourself, “why am I saying this?” about your claim

• A claim cannot be a statement of fact found in the text

• Comments in an online forum are not claims

Body Paragraphs

• Basic Format
  • Claim = reason
  • Evidence = support the show the audience
  • Explanation = 2+ sentences explaining how the evidence supports the claim
  • Connection to thesis = what it means in relation to the thesis

Examples

Apple pie [subject] is better [clam] than blueberry pie because it is sweeter and healthier [reason]

Walking [subject is superior to [claim] running because it is less strenuous on the body [reason]

• AXES
  • Assertion = reason
  • eXample = specific evidence for support
  • Explanation = 2+ sentences explaining how the evidence supports the claim
  • Significance = how it connects back to the thesis
• PEEL
  • Point = reason
  • Evidence = specific evidence for support
  • Explanation = 2+ sentences explaining HOW the evidence supports the claim
  • Link = how it connects back to the thesis