An argumentative essay is a type of writing in which the author presents a thesis or claim and provides evidence to support their position. In order to effectively persuade the reader to adopt the same perspective, the writer must present a compelling argument that is supported by strong evidence. One key element of this argument is the claim, which is a statement that the writer is making in order to prove their point.
There are several types of claims that can be used in argumentative essays. The first is a factual claim, which asserts that a particular statement is true based on evidence from reliable sources. For example, a writer might make the claim that "climate change is real and is caused by human activities," and then provide evidence such as scientific studies and data to support this claim.
Another type of claim is a value claim, which asserts that a particular thing is good or bad based on the writer's values or beliefs. For example, a writer might make the claim that "capital punishment is wrong," and then provide evidence such as statistics on the cost and effectiveness of the death penalty, or personal anecdotes about people who have been wrongly convicted.
A third type of claim is a policy claim, which asserts that a particular course of action should be taken in order to solve a problem. For example, a writer might make the claim that "the government should invest in renewable energy sources," and then provide evidence such as the potential environmental and economic benefits of this policy.
Regardless of the type of claim being made, it is important for the writer to clearly and concisely state their thesis in the introduction of the essay and then provide strong evidence to support it throughout the body of the essay. This evidence can come in the form of statistics, expert testimony, examples, and personal anecdotes, among other things. By presenting a well-supported argument, the writer can effectively persuade the reader to adopt their perspective on the issue.
