What is the difference between a 'claim' and 'evidence' in an argument?

What is the difference between a 'claim' and 'evidence' in an argument?

• A. A claim is a statement being argued; evidence supports it with reasons or data.
• B. Evidence is a claim that has been proven beyond doubt.
• C. A claim is a conclusion drawn from data.
• D. Evidence and claim are synonyms.

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is how a claim and the evidence that supports it work together in an argument. A claim is the statement the writer wants you to accept—the position or conclusion they’re arguing for. Evidence is the data, reasons, or examples used to back up that claim and persuade the audience. The best choice fits this relationship exactly: the claim is the statement being argued, and evidence provides the reasons or data that support it. Evidence helps show why the claim is plausible or true. Saying a claim is a conclusion drawn from data is too narrow. A claim can indeed be supported by data, but it is not defined solely as a deduction from data; it is the assertion the argument aims to establish, which can involve judgments or values as well. Evidence, meanwhile, is the material used to back that assertion, not the assertion itself. For example, a claim might be that public transit should receive more funding, with evidence including rider statistics, pollution reductions, and cost-benefit analyses that support that position.

The main idea here is how a claim and the evidence that supports it work together in an argument. A claim is the statement the writer wants you to accept—the position or conclusion they’re arguing for. Evidence is the data, reasons, or examples used to back up that claim and persuade the audience.

The best choice fits this relationship exactly: the claim is the statement being argued, and evidence provides the reasons or data that support it. Evidence helps show why the claim is plausible or true.

Saying a claim is a conclusion drawn from data is too narrow. A claim can indeed be supported by data, but it is not defined solely as a deduction from data; it is the assertion the argument aims to establish, which can involve judgments or values as well. Evidence, meanwhile, is the material used to back that assertion, not the assertion itself. For example, a claim might be that public transit should receive more funding, with evidence including rider statistics, pollution reductions, and cost-benefit analyses that support that position.