Parts of an Argument: Claim, Data, WarrantThe purpose of this page is to establish some of the central vocabulary of AP and give a working, fundamental approach to student writers, some of whom demonstrate varied levels of preparation. As we move into the specifics of rhetorical analysis, synthesis, and argumentation, these techniques will become more specific (and in some cases, more proscriptive), but these fundamentals will tend to stay the same.
Helpful Info: See Timm Frietas' document on creating purpose statements and including data.
Claim = Your claim is the central argument of your paragraph (if you're writing one paragraph) or your essay (if you're writing an essay).
It's essentially the same fundamental idea as the topic sentence or thesis in that a claim is the central point or argument your paragraph or essay is making for the reader.
A claim is usually a matter of opinion; an argument cannot be a statement of fact. (It can be BASED on facts; it can USE facts, but facts are there only to prove that the opinion you have is true and right.)
For instance, I can't argue that Justin Beiber is a celebrity. Most reasonable people would agree that this is true. I can, however, argue that he is a poor role model for the fine youth of America -- a statement that would not be met with universal accord.
Please proceed to the assignment "Writing an Effective Claim" below.
Data = Data consists of evidence, usually quotes or paraphrases or summaries of relevant information taken from an authority.
For instance, if I am writing to condemn the huge college debt burdening American students today, I will need to bolster my argument with relevant facts and figures. How much debt? What is the interest rate? How long will it take to pay it off? How is college debt more of a burden now than it was twenty years ago? Each of these facts helps support my claim.
Data can also be simple common sense: If I argue that putting on sunscreen in Nevada is a good idea, I don't necessarily have to drag out evidence about skin cancer because the linkage is well-known and it makes common sense.
Please proceed to the page "Basic: Data Management."
Warrants
Warrant = This is the longest and most important part of your entire paragraph. The warrant is the HOW COME of your paragraph; it is the connective tissue linking the claim and the data.
A warrant can sometimes be unspoken if the subject is so well-known that no warrant is necessary (e.g., "Please wear sunscreen; the sun is very strong today" doesn't need the warrant of ...because sunscreen protects against dangerous UV radiation from the sun because this linkage is common knowledge.
However, ALL AP ARGUMENTS will require an extensive warrant. Think of the warrant as the part of the argument that comes after the words because or since. It is the part of the argument that explains HOW COME or IN WHAT WAY the data actually proves the claim. If I say that the Declaration guarantees equality for all citizens, that is a claim. If I quote, "...all men are created equal," that is data. If I say, "Because this quotation uses the phrase 'all men' not merely to refer to male American citizens or even to all males, but to humanity in general, the statement proves that the Declaration guarantees equality for all citizens," that is a warrant. I've explained HOW COME the data (the quotation from the Declaration) proves my claim of guaranteed equality.
Please proceed to the page "Basic: Writing Warrants" and the sub-pages for that topic.