In argumentative writing, what is a claim?

In argumentative writing, a claim is a statement that asserts a particular belief or argument and is typically supported by evidence. This is the central assertion that the writer is trying to persuade the audience to accept. The importance of a claim lies in its role as the foundation of the argument; it is the position that the writer takes on an issue, and it shapes the entire discourse by guiding the structure and development of the argument.

A well-constructed claim is essential for effective argumentative writing, as it provides a clear stance that can be defended with logical reasoning and factual support. The evidence gathered from research or personal experience further substantiates the claim, making it more convincing to the audience.

Other answer choices speak to different components of argumentative writing but do not define a claim itself. Evidence and conclusions are parts of the argumentative structure, but they do not represent the claim directly. Unintended fallacies are errors in reasoning and are not relevant to defining what a claim is.