<aside> 💡 See also Organizing an effective argument: Methods and examples.
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When writing an academic text, understanding what a claim is—and what it is not—is essential for creating a clear, persuasive, and logically structured argument. Academic writing relies on claims to guide the reader through an author’s reasoning. These claims, ranging from general to specific, form the backbone of effective communication in scholarly work.
This article explores the concept of a claim in academic writing, how it differs from related concepts, and how claims work within different components of an academic text—such as the thesis statement, topic sentences, and supporting premises - see also A premise defined. We’ll also examine how these components work together to create a coherent and persuasive academic argument.
In academic writing, a claim is a statement that asserts something to be true or false. Unlike a simple observation or a fact, a claim expresses a point that can be debated, challenged, or supported by evidence. A well-formulated claim helps to shape the writer’s argument and signals to the reader what the writer believes and will attempt to prove or explain.
For example, the sentence “Social media negatively impacts teenagers’ mental health” is a claim. It is an arguable statement that invites further analysis, support, or opposition. In contrast, the sentence “Instagram is a social media platform” is a fact, not a claim—it is not debatable and does not require evidence beyond simple verification.
Understanding what does not constitute a claim is just as important. A claim is not:
To function in academic writing, a claim must be clear, arguable, and supportable with evidence.
Academic texts are not simply compilations of facts or information; they are organized around claims that build upon one another to present an argument. In this context, different types of claims exist at different levels: