A claim is the overall main thing that the author wants to convince the audience of. It is not the specific evidence used to support the claim.

Different argumentative texts are intended for different audiences. When determining the intended audience, think about whether it is directed to the general public or to a more specific group of people.

• If the passage uses technical language and information that only certain people (e.g., scientists) would be familiar with, the intended audience is probably not the general public.


• If the passage is encouraging action that can only be taken by a specific group of people (e.g., lawmakers, teachers, parents, or students), then the intended audience is probably that specific group of people.

Authors of argumentative texts should use facts as evidence to support their claims. They may also present facts that are against their own or others' claims. If they provide facts that do not support their claims, they are most likely doing so to show the other side, and then refute it.