Question

read the sample student claim.

although some people would argue that it is not the responsibility of schools to ban junk food and encourage healthy eating habits, schools play an important role in helping youths develop positive behaviors that lead to healthier lifestyles.

which characteristics of a claim does the sample claim represent? select two answers.

• it is a statement of indisputable fact.
• it can be supported by evidence.
• it clearly takes one side of an issue.
• it is a personal preference or feeling.
• it is something everyone would consider true.

Explanation:

Analyze the sample student claim

The sample student claim states: "Although some people would argue that it is not the responsibility of schools to ban junk food and encourage healthy eating habits, schools play an important role in helping youths develop positive behaviors that lead to healthier lifestyles."

This statement is an argumentative claim because it presents a debatable position regarding the role of schools in promoting healthy lifestyles. It is not an indisputable fact, nor is it something everyone would automatically agree is true, as the sentence itself acknowledges a counter-argument ("Although some people would argue...").

Evaluate the characteristics of a strong claim

Using the Claim Support concept, we evaluate the given options to find which two represent the fundamental characteristics of an argumentative claim:

1. It is a statement of indisputable fact. (Incorrect: A claim must be arguable, not a factual certainty.)
2. It can be supported by evidence. (Correct: A valid academic claim must be arguable and capable of being backed up by logical reasons, statistics, and factual evidence.)
3. It clearly takes one side of an issue. (Correct: A claim must take a clear, definitive stance on a debatable topic rather than remaining neutral.)
4. It is a personal preference or feeling. (Incorrect: A formal claim goes beyond mere personal taste or subjective feelings; it must be objective and arguable.)
5. It is something everyone would consider true. (Incorrect: If everyone agrees, there is no debate, and thus it is not a claim.)

Therefore, the two correct characteristics represented by the sample claim are that it can be supported by evidence and it clearly takes one side of an issue.

Answer:

• It is a statement of indisputable fact.
• It can be supported by evidence. (Correct answer)
• It clearly takes one side of an issue. (Correct answer)
• It is a personal preference or feeling.
• It is something everyone would consider true.