Claim vs. Thesis
This is your main argument in one clear sentence.
What is a claim?
Facts, statistics, or quotes used to support your claim.
What is evidence?
The opposing side of your argument.
What is a counterclaim?
The first paragraph of your essay.
What is the introduction?
An attention-grabbing first sentence.
What is a hook?
This includes your claim plus your main reasons.
What is a thesis statement?
This explains how your evidence supports your claim.
What is reasoning?
This is your response to the counterclaim.
What is a rebuttal?
This part includes your hook and thesis.
What is the introduction?
Words like “first,” “next,” and “therefore” are used for this.
What are transitions?
A strong claim must be this _____ able to be argued, not just a fact.
What is debatable?
A direct quote must include this to avoid plagiarism.
What is a citation?
Including a counterclaim makes your argument more what?
What is stronger/more credible?
These paragraphs include your reasons and evidence.
What are body paragraphs?
This avoids emotional language and sticks to facts.
What is a formal tone/ academic, authoritative, courteous, ceremonial, dignifed, objective, polite, professional, and scholarly ?
This type of claim states something everyone agrees with.
What is a weak claim?
This type of evidence comes from experts or credible sources.
What is reliable/credible evidence?
This transition word signals a counterargument.
What is however (or “on the other hand”)?
The final paragraph that restates your claim.
What is the conclusion?
Repeating key ideas in different words is called this.
What is restating/paraphrasing?
This kind of claim uses words like “should” or “must.”
What is a claim of policy/ proposal claim, problem-solution argument, or a call to action ?
This type of evidence includes numbers and data.
What is statistical evidence?
This strategy acknowledges the counterclaim but still proves your claim is correct.
What is a refutation/rebuttal?
This sentence starts a body paragraph and introduces the main idea.
What is a topic sentence?
This writing avoids “I think” and focuses on facts.
What is an objective style/ expository/ factual/ impersonal writing/ neutral tone ?