English: Claims

Presentation delivered to college and university English classes.

1. Claims

2. A conclusion that is drawn from evidence
Evidence (news articles, statistics, studies, surveys,
expert opinion, etc.)
 therefore, the claim must be true
Example:
Sauron, orcs, and ringwraiths are characterized as evil
in Tolkien’s works
 therefore, a good versus evil plot device results in
one-dimensional characterization

3. Main claim = thesis statement
The overall argument you wish to prove
Answers questions such as:
So what’s your point?
Where do you stand on the issue?
Located at the end of the introduction

4. Claims that support the main claim/thesis statement
Answers questions such as:
How does this prove the thesis statement is correct?
How does the evidence support the thesis statement?
How does this relate to the thesis statement?
Located within the body of the essay

5. Sam Harris’ “Science Can Answer Moral Questions”
Main claim/thesis statement
“[T]he separation between science and human values is an
illusion.”
Sub-claim example #1
“Values are a certain kind of fact. They are facts about the
well-being of conscious creatures.”
Examples: We don’t feel compassion for rocks. We’re more
concerned about primates than about insects.
Sub-claim example #2
“Whenever we are talking about facts, certain opinions must
be excluded.”
Examples: Edward Witten and string theory. Dalai Lama vs. Ted
Bundy.

6. When analyzing another’s argument, look for the
author’s main claim and sub-claims
Do you agree with the main claim?
Does the evidence support the sub-claims?
Why or why not? Discuss in your essay.

7. Harris, Sam. “Science Can Answer Moral Questions.”
TED, 11 Feb 2010, Long Beach Performing Arts
Center, Long Beach, CA, USA. Conference
Presentation.