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Delineate a Speaker's
Argument and Claims

Learn to identify a speaker's main argument, break down their specific claims, and determine which claims are supported by evidence and which are not.

6th Grade Reading

What Is an Argument?

In everyday life, an "argument" might mean a fight. But in reading and speaking, an argument is something very different: it is a speaker's attempt to persuade you to accept a position by presenting reasons and evidence.

Key Terms: Claims, Reasons, Evidence

Claim
A statement the speaker says is true and wants you to believe.
Reason
An explanation of why the claim should be accepted.
Evidence
Facts, data, examples, or expert quotes that back up the reason.

Why Does This Matter?

Every day, people try to persuade you: in speeches, advertisements, news reports, social media posts, and conversations. Being able to delineate (break apart and trace) a speaker's argument helps you:

1
Think critically instead of just accepting everything you hear.
2
Spot weak arguments that have no real evidence behind them.
3
Build stronger arguments of your own by learning from what works.

The Anatomy of an Argument

Main Argument Claim 1 Claim 2 Claim 3 Reason Reason No Reason? Evidence Evidence No Evidence Supported claims (left) vs. Unsupported claim (right) ✓ Supported ✕ Unsupported

Supported vs. Unsupported Claims

✓ Supported Claim
Backed by reasons and evidence such as facts, statistics, expert opinions, or real examples.
✕ Unsupported Claim
Stated as if true but relies only on opinions, feelings, or vague language with no proof.

Types of Evidence Speakers Use

Facts & Statistics
Measurable, verifiable data: "73% of students improved."
Expert Quotes
Statements from someone with specialized knowledge.
Examples
Real-world cases that illustrate the point.
Research Studies
Published findings from controlled investigations.

How to Delineate an Argument

1
Find the main argument. What overall position is the speaker trying to convince you of?
2
Identify each claim. What specific statements does the speaker make to support the argument?
3
Look for reasons. Does the speaker explain why each claim is true?
4
Check for evidence. Are there facts, data, or examples backing the reason?
5
Sort claims. Label each claim as supported or unsupported.

Example 1: School Lunches

✓ Supported Claim
"Students who eat balanced meals score 15% higher on tests." This cites a study with data.
✕ Unsupported Claim
"Everyone I know hates the pizza." This is a personal opinion with no real evidence.

Example 2: Recess Time

1
Main argument: Schools should have longer recess periods.
2
Claim 1: ✓ Supported by an expert recommendation (AAP).
3
Claim 2: ✓ Supported by a specific research study with named researcher and sample size.

Example 3: Screen Time

✓ Supported
WHO data linking screen time to sleep problems: specific source + specific effect.
✕ Unsupported
"Screens are ruining this generation" is an emotional opinion with no evidence.
? Weak Support
"My neighbor's kid got glasses" is a single anecdote, not strong evidence.

Signal Words to Listen For

Claim Signals
"I believe...", "We should...", "It is clear that...", "The best solution is..."
Reason Signals
"Because...", "Since...", "This is important because...", "The reason is..."
Evidence Signals
"According to...", "Research shows...", "For example...", "Data indicates..."

What Delineate Really Means

Delineate means to trace the outline of something carefully: to take an argument apart piece by piece so you can see how it was built. You are not just summarizing: you are mapping the structure.

Listen / Read the speech Identify each claim Evaluate reasons + evidence Sort ✓ or ✕ The Delineation Process

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✕ Confusing Opinion with Evidence
A speaker saying "I think" or "I feel" is giving an opinion, not evidence. Look for verifiable facts instead.
✕ Accepting One Example as Proof
A single personal story (anecdote) is not the same as strong evidence. Strong evidence uses research or multiple examples.
✕ Ignoring Missing Evidence
If a claim sounds persuasive but has no reasons or evidence, it is still unsupported, no matter how confident the speaker sounds.

Comparing Claim Quality

Feature Supported Claim Unsupported Claim
Has a reason? Yes: explains why No: stated as fact
Has evidence? Facts, data, experts None or just opinions
Can be verified? Yes: you can check No: vague or personal
Example "Research by MIT shows..." "Everyone knows that..."
Persuasive power Strong Weak

Question 1 of 5

Which claim from this speech is supported by evidence?

Question 2 of 5

Which of the following is the best example of evidence?

Question 3 of 5

Which claim is unsupported?

Question 4 of 5

What is the first step in delineating a speaker's argument?

Question 5 of 5

How many claims in this speech are supported by evidence?