Which of the following best defines a claim in argumentation?

• A. A Supporting Piece of Evidence
• B. A Conclusion Drawn From Data
• C. A Statement That Asserts a Point or Position
• D. A Method of Evaluating Sources

Answer: (C)

In argumentation, a claim is a statement that asserts a point or position you want others to accept. It’s the central proposition your entire argument is built to justify, so all reasons and evidence are directed toward supporting that specific assertion.

Evidence provides data, examples, or testimony that back up the claim, while a conclusion is what you infer from analyzing the evidence. A method of evaluating sources, by contrast, is about judging how trustworthy information is, not the assertion itself. For example, if you argue that later school start times benefit students, your claim is that change; you would then marshal research and expert opinions to support that point.