Which statement best distinguishes a claim from evidence in an argument?

Which statement best distinguishes a claim from evidence in an argument?

• A. Evidence is the main conclusion.
• B. A claim is a statement; evidence supports or proves the claim.
• C. A claim is only a random opinion.
• D. Evidence is a peer review comment.

Answer: (B)

In an argument, the claim is the statement the author wants you to accept—that’s the position or conclusion they are arguing for. The evidence are the data, facts, examples, reasons, or expert opinions used to back up that claim and make it convincing. So this statement is best because it captures the relationship: a claim is a statement, and evidence supports or proves the claim. For example, if someone claims that daily reading improves writing, the evidence would be studies or examples showing better writing skills after consistent reading. The other options mix up roles: evidence isn’t the main conclusion, a claim isn’t merely a random opinion, and evidence isn’t a peer review comment.

In an argument, the claim is the statement the author wants you to accept—that’s the position or conclusion they are arguing for. The evidence are the data, facts, examples, reasons, or expert opinions used to back up that claim and make it convincing. So this statement is best because it captures the relationship: a claim is a statement, and evidence supports or proves the claim.

For example, if someone claims that daily reading improves writing, the evidence would be studies or examples showing better writing skills after consistent reading. The other options mix up roles: evidence isn’t the main conclusion, a claim isn’t merely a random opinion, and evidence isn’t a peer review comment.