Argument essay based upon a claim of fact

Purpose and Overview

Your first essay assignment of the semester asks you to make an argument based upon a claim of

fact. It is the first of the three types of claims you will use to make arguments this semester. It

also builds upon skills you enhanced in ENGL 100 F (or its equivalent): development of your

ideas, research, and organization of material. A claim of fact needs factual information as

support. You will write arguments based upon claims of value and claims of policy later in the

semester.

Writing Task

In an essay of at least 1,200 words (about 4-5 pages), chose a topic about which you can make an

argument based upon a claim of fact. You may use one of the topics in the background readings

listed above or you may decide to select a topic of your own.

You will need to use at least three outside source

Use MLA format when introducing and citing sources, including the readings from the textbook.

You will also need to provide a Works Cited list that includes all of the outside sources you used

in your final draft. The Works Cited list does not count toward the minimum word count.

For the

Thesis and Rough Draft Workshop, you will need to have made a tentative selection of a

possible topic and located at least one outside source other than the readings from the textbook.

You should have also considered which form of an argument about a claim of fact you intend to

take (a statement in favor of a particular interpretation of data, a suggestion of a causal

relationship, a prediction, or a case for the acceptance of new evidence). You will respond to a

series of questions online in preparation for your final draft submission.

Some notes to help you with your rough and final drafts:

1. Choose a specific topic or issue that lends itself to a claim of fact. The more specific the

issue, the easier it will be to research and discuss. The broader the issue is, the more

factual support you will need to provide. Set reasonable parameters for yourself.

2. You may be tempted to provide a solution to whatever issue you are discussing.

However, remember that the goal of this assignment is not to provide a claim of policy (a

proposal or problem-solution paper). Instead, you are primarily going to be supporting a

claim of fact, so choose your topic carefully and wisely.

3. Early in your prewriting process, select which particular form of the argument you want

to make:

1. A statement in favor of a particular interpretation of data
2. A suggestion of a causal relationship (cause and/or effect)
3. A prediction
4. A case for the acceptance of new data
5. The counterarguments for this argument will need to address the particular form of the

claim of fact that you’re making.

1. If you’ve chosen to make a statement in favor of a particular interpretation of

data, then the opposition will need to favor a different interpretation of that data

1. If you’ve chosen to suggest a causal relationship, then the opposition will need to

suggest a different cause or a different effect than the one you are concentrating

upon

1. If you’re making a prediction, then the opposition will need to suggest a different

outcome than what you’re predicting based upon the same information or

evidence

1. If you’re making the case for the acceptance of new data, then the opposition will

need to question the need for accepting the data in the same way that you have

REMINDER Labeling a statement a claim of fact does not make it true

Last Updated on September 18, 2019