Argument Writing: Claims and Evidence
An argument is not a fight. In writing, an argument is a claim you defend with evidence and reasoning. "Pizza is delicious" is an opinion. "Our school should add a later start time because studies show teens need more sleep, and attendance improves when schools start later" is an argument — it has a claim, evidence, and reasoning.
The three building blocks
Every strong argument has three parts:\n\n1. **Claim** — what you believe (and are trying to get your reader to believe).\n2. **Evidence** — facts, data, quotes, examples that support the claim.\n3. **Reasoning** — the glue that explains how the evidence proves the claim.\n\nMany students stop at evidence and expect the reader to do the work. Reasoning is what makes an argument yours.
Which is a claim, not just an opinion?
Good evidence vs. weak evidence
Strong evidence:\n- Comes from reliable sources (researchers, reputable news, experts in the field)\n- Is specific (numbers, quotes, concrete examples)\n- Is recent (where recency matters)\n- Is relevant to the exact claim\n\nWeak evidence:\n- "A lot of people say..."\n- "It's common sense..."\n- A single example treated as universal\n- Sources with obvious bias or no expertise
Source hunt
Pick a claim you actually want to argue for (examples: schools should have recess through middle school; cities should ban plastic bags; our library should stay open on Sundays). Find 3 pieces of evidence that support it. For each, write: where you found it, why the source is trustworthy, and exactly how it supports your claim. You just drafted the core of an essay.
What is "reasoning" in an argument?
Addressing the counterargument
Strong arguments take the other side seriously. If you ignore the counterargument, your reader will think of it anyway — and your essay looks weak.\n\nTwo ways to handle it:\n\n- **Concede** — "Critics say later start times hurt bus schedules. That's a real cost. But..."\n- **Refute** — "Some argue phones help learning. But research consistently shows that even having a phone visible reduces test scores."\n\nBoth moves show you've done your thinking. That makes readers trust you more.
Write the counterargument first
Take the claim from the source-hunt activity. Now write the best possible argument AGAINST your claim — steelman the opposition. Then write a one-paragraph response that either concedes what's true about it or refutes it with evidence. This is how real writers test their own arguments before publishing.
Why should you address the counterargument in your essay?
The CCSS writing expectations (W.6.1 / W.7.1)
The Common Core asks you to: (1) introduce a claim clearly, (2) support it with clear reasons and relevant evidence, (3) use credible sources, (4) use transitions to create cohesion, (5) establish a formal style, and (6) provide a concluding statement. These aren't arbitrary rules — they're what experienced writers do because it works.
Big picture: the world is full of shouting. Real influence — in essays, in work, in life — comes from writers who can make a claim, back it up, and fairly answer the other side. Those are the voices people actually listen to.
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