The document discusses identifying and evaluating claims. It provides examples of claims and explains that a claim is a controversial statement used to support an argument. For a claim to be valid, it must be supported by clear evidence. False claims cannot be backed by scientific research or facts. The document emphasizes that opinions are different from claims and that claims require evidence to be considered credible.

1. Identifying Claims
By
Dean Berry, Ed. D.
Teachers’ Choice library
www.commoncorecurriculum.info

2. Making Claims
• When someone makes a claim that is not supported by clear and credible
evidence or logical arguments, they should be challenged to modify their
claim or defend it with meaningful facts.
• When a politician asserts that global warming is a hoax and that we are in no
danger of future harm from climate change, they must back it up with
scientific evidence.
• If 97% of the science experts say that they are confident that the planet is
warming because of human activity, then the politician’s claim above is
debunked and proven to be a false claim.

3. Does it Really Matter?
• If people make decisions based on false claims, is there any harm?
• Can you give an example where belief in a false claim is dangerous or
harmful?
• If we choose to ignore science, will our society be improved in the future?

4. What’s in a Claim?
• A claim is written or verbal controversial statement that
asserts that something is true.
• It is an arguable point that is used to support or prove an
argument.
• In order to evaluate an argument, we need to determine if
the idea is wise or valid. Thus, each claim must pass a test
for veracity. The person making the argument must
provide solid, credible evidence.

5. When arguing an issue, it is more
effective to review the pros and cons
of the debate.
Counterclaims
In arguing a claim, you should always consider potential
counterclaims and counterarguments. For instance, in
response to the claim that the Seahawks players are not
very good, someone might say: “You’re wrong. The Hawks
defensive problems last year were a result of poor coaching
on the part of the defensive coordinator.” This
counterclaim denies the validity of the claim. Usually, it’s
important to address counterclaims when you are writing
about the validity of a claim.

6. Opinions are not claims.
• —Mushrooms are delicious.
• —I like garden pizza more than peperoni pizza.
• —I think women are better drivers than men.
• —The governor is a terrible leader.
• __Young children should be seen but not
heard.

7. What is the difference between
an opinion and a claim?
• An opinion is supported by more opinion.
• A legitimate claim can be substantiated with research,
evidence, testimony, and academic reasoning.
• A false claim cannot be supported with research, evidence,
testimony, and academic reasoning.

8. Let’s Review
• What you think, what you like, and what you believe should be
done are personal opinions.
• When you specifically assert that a controversial
idea is true and you use it to support your
argument, you are making a claim that requires
evidence.
• While a claim is usually based on your opinion, it
will be specific, controversial, and an assertion
that can be argued and proven to be true or false.
A claim without credible, supporting evidence is a
false claim.

9. Examples of Claims
President Trump claimed that five million
people voted illegally in the 2016
presidential election. However,
republicans and democrats could not find
any evidence to support the claim. As a
result, Trump’s claim was determined to
be a false claim.

10. Examples of Claims
Smoking cigarettes is known to cause
cancer. This claim is supported by
overwhelming scientific evidence.

11. Examples of Claims
Flying saucers from outer
space have visited earth
many times during the last
50 years.

12. Examples of Claims
Reliance on fossil fuels will result
in higher prices as the earth’s
source of fossil fuels is depleted.

13. Examples of Claims
Texting while driving kills
thousands of people every year.

14. Examples of Claims
Decreasing regulations on gun
ownership will reduce the
violent crime rate in America.

15. Check Out This Claim
Thirty minutes of daily
physical exercise increases
a person’s longevity.

16. What’s My Claim?
Make a claim about eating
Kentucky Fried Chicken.

17. What’s My Claim?
Make a claim about getting
adequate exercise.

18. What’s My Claim?
Make a claim about the
causes of cancer.

19. What’s My Claim?
Make a claim about cigarettes.

20. What’s My Claim?
Make a claim about how
children learn best.

21. Meet in Groups
Work as a group to
write claims for the
following issues.
Share your claim with
the class.

22. What’s My Claim?
Make a claim about the best
pet for a child.

23. What’s My Claim?
Make a claim about the
problem of drought.

24. What’s My Claim?
Make a claim about
employment discrimination
against people of color.

25. What’s My Claim?
Make a claim about
endangered animals.

26. What’s My Claim?
Make a claim about eating
a high sugar diet.

27. What’s My Claim?
Make a claim about
eating while driving.

28. What’s My Claim?
Make a claim about pit bulls.

29. What’s My Claim?
Make a claim about the negative
impact of social media.

30. What’s My Claim?
Return to your seat and write
your own claim about the
following issues.

31. What’s My Claim?
Write a claim about requiring
uniforms for all students who
attend public schools.

32. What’s My Claim?
Write a claim about lead found
in drinking water.

33. What’s My Claim?
Write a claim about the quantity of
homework for high school students.
Be sure to write a claim not just an opinion.

34. What’s My Claim?
Write a claim about
the minimum wage.