Writing a Claim: Dogs are better pets than cats because...

A claim is an arguable position. For example, someone might argue that dogs make better pets than cats. Not everyone will agree. A claim contains both the arguable position and the main reasons. Typically, the main reasons follow the word "because." For example, the claim might be:

"Dogs make better pets because they are more loyal than cats, they provide protection, and they encourage their owners to exercise."

Notice that the claim not only contains the arguable position but also the reasons for this claim. In looking at the claim above, we could expect the author of an argumentative essay to reason that dogs are more loyal than cats. The second paragraph would be centered around the idea that dogs provide protection in ways that cats can't. The third body paragraph would be focused on the idea that walking a dog helps an owner exercise.

Step 1: Pick a Claim, Fix a Claim

Below are six claims you wrote for and against the legalization of recreational marijuana. First, read and discuss the claims with your partner and circle the claim that you feel is the strongest. Next, pick what you felt was the weakest claim of the six and rewrite it to make it a strong claim.

Claim 1: Marijuana should be legal because it isn't as addictive as tobacco or alcohol.
Claim 2: Marijuana should not be legal because it can harm your health.
Claim 3: Marijuana should be legal and sold for recreational uses because there is little or no harm from it, it'll lower crime rates, and it can raise new revenue similar to tobacco and cigarettes.
Claim 4: Marijuana should not be legalized because of its adverse long-term health effects, its influence on consciousness, and its relationship to crime.
Claim 5: Marijuana should be legalized for recreational use as it is less harmful than alcohol and tobacco, has little evidence of causing health harm, is less addictive, and also has legitimate medical uses.
Claim 6: Declaring that marijuana should be legal will only disrupt the mind and body, leading to what is called a poor addiction that could affect not only ourselves but others as well.