A claim is the main argument of an essay. It is probably the single most important part of an academic paper. The rest of the essay exists to prove the claim.
The complexity, effectiveness, and quality of the entire academic essay hinge on a strong claim.
If you are like most college students, you find writing a claim in an essay difficult, with this step-by-step guide on how to write a claim in an essay, it will now become much easier.
Let us first define what is a claim in essay writing.
What Is a Claim in an Essay?
Before we get into how to write a claim for an essay, it is helpful to understand what a claim is and why it is important. In rhetoric, a claim is similar to a thesis.
A thesis states the main argument of an entire paper in one sentence. A claim narrows this focus and announces what specific position or interpretation you will be supporting in an essay.
Why Is a Claim Important in Essay Writing?
The claim is one of the most important parts of your essay because it declares your position on the topic.
This directs readers through the rest of your paper and helps solidify your argument or interpretation.
Furthermore, if done correctly, a good claim will increase engagement by enticing readers to want to read more so that they can find out how you plan on defending or justifying your claim.
Therefore, crafting a strong claim is essential if you want to write a good essay.
How to Write a Claim in an Essay Step by Step
Here are some tips on how to write an effective claim for your next essay.
1. Make sure you understand the prompt/essay question.
The first step to writing a great claim is to make sure you understand what you are being asked to do.
A lot of students make the mistake of not answering the question that is being asked and wonder why they receive a lower grade than they expected.
If you need help understanding the prompt, ask your teacher or professor for clarification before you begin writing your essay.
2. Do some research on your topic.
After you have a good understanding of what you are being asked to do, it is time to start researching your topic.
If you are not familiar with the subject matter, it will be difficult to write a good claim. Try to find reputable sources that offer different perspectives on your topic.
This will help you become familiar with the different arguments that exist on your topic and also give you ideas for how to write your claim.
3. Develop your own opinion/argument about the topic.
Once you have done some research, it is time to develop your own opinion about the topic.
What do YOU think about the issue? What evidence can you use to support your position?
It is important that you come up with your argument rather than regurgitate someone else’s opinion. Remember, your goal is to persuade others that YOUR opinion is correct!
4. Write a thesis statement that clearly states your opinion/argument.
A thesis statement is a sentence (or sentences) that states what you believe and why you believe it. For your thesis statement to be effective, it needs to be arguable—this means that someone could reasonably disagree with it but it also must be backed up by evidence.
For example, “All schools should mandate uniforms” is not an effective thesis statement because someone could reasonably disagree with it (e.g., schools should not mandate uniforms because it takes away students’ individuality).
A better thesis statement would be “Mandating uniforms in schools decreases violence and improves grades because students feel safer and are more focused on learning when they are not worrying about their clothes.”
See how this new thesis statement is arguable and also supported by evidence. This is what you want your thesis statement to look like!
5. Write your essay!
Now that you have done all of the hard work (steps 1-4), it is time to start writing your essay! Begin by introducing your claim in the introduction paragraph.
Remember to keep things concise and clear as this is just an introduction after all!
The body paragraphs for your academic essay should each focus on one reason supporting your claim while using evidence from research to back up your position.
End your essay with a strong conclusion paragraph touching on the main points of your essay without introducing any new information!
6. Edit and revise as needed.
Once you have finished writing your essay, read through your essay multiple times carefully and make any necessary changes – this includes proofreading for grammar errors as well as ensuring that everything flows smoothly from one point to another!
Remember that you can hire a proofreader and editor at Tutlance proofreading and editing service.
After making all necessary changes/edits, congratulations – you have now written an academic paper with a strong claim!
Final Words
Writing a strong claim for an essay can seem challenging at first, but if you follow these simple steps, you will be well on your way to impressing your teachers and classmates with cogent arguments backed up by solid evidence!
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