Claim and support

Definition

An argument begins when someone makes a claim — a statement offered as true — and gives support: reasons, evidence, or examples meant to make the claim believable. Before judging any argument, first find the claim, then find what is holding it up.

Memory hook

“Find the claim; find what holds it up.”

What it sounds like

• I think X, because…
• The evidence suggests…
• …and that's why I believe it.