The document provides guidance on writing a debatable claim for an argumentative research paper. It explains that a good claim takes a position that reasonable people may disagree on. It offers examples of debatable claims and non-debatable claims. Tips are given for writing an effective claim, such as clearly stating your topic and opinion without subjective language, and briefly referencing the evidence and recommendations that will support the claim. A sample claim on the topic of workplace discrimination is also presented.

1. Writing a Debatable Claim
ARGUMENTATIVE RESEARCH PAPER

2. The claim
must be
debatable
 there should be people that will agree
AND disagree with your claim.

3. This is a
NONdebatable
claim
 Pollution is bad for the environment

4. This is a
better,
debatable
claim
 At least twenty-five percent of the
federal budget should be spent on
limiting pollution.

5. Another
debatable
claim
 America’s anti-pollution efforts
should focus on privately owned cars.

6.  Clearly address your specific topic.
 Clearly address your opinion
Tips for
Writing
Your
Claim:
 Do
not use words like “In my opinion”
or “I think”.
 Briefly
include reference to the evidence
that you will use to support your
opinion;
 you
may also need/want to address
your recommendations in your claim.

7. Sample
Claim
Workplace discrimination is a
growing problem in America because
of the stereotypes and
misconceptions people have of the
diverse population. Employees must
fight for their rights and the
government needs to more thoroughly
enforce the laws to eliminate
workplace discrimination.

8. Brainstorming
•
Write your broad topic in 1-3
words.
 High stakes testing
• Write your opinion in as few
 I am against it
• Write down 3-4 key details that
 Not accurate, biased, used
words as possible
you will address in your essay.
• Write down 2-3
recommendations that you will
address in your essay.
for inappropriate reasons
 Revise the
tests, performance
assessments

9. Sample Claim
 High stakes testing is extremely detrimental to
both students and the state of public education.
The purpose and the nature of these tests must be
revised to include performance-based assessments,
instead of the current, biased tests, which are not
accurate portrayals of students’ learning.