WR098/Kim
Main Claim (Thesis)
Main Claim Workshop
Purpose: The core of an argument is 1) claims, 2) reasons, and 3) evidence. An argument falters when any of these parts is lacking and/or the relationship between them is unclear. The main claim (thesis) should be leading this argument, and therefore, needs to be the most solid part of the essay.
Task: Take a look at the following main claims and figure out what makes them weak. What is the focus? What don’t they offer? In what ways are they inarguable?
A. I agree with the author that globalization shouldn’t make us forget our authentic cultures.
B. In contrast with Gleiser’s position, I don’t think humans are guided by tribal instincts.
C. Boroditsky uses a lot of details to successfully convince his readers that language affects thinking.
D. B-boying makes Korean men seem manly and cool.

Some possible solutions:
A. I agree with the author that globalization shouldn’t make us forget our authentic
cultures. (focus is on agreement, which doesn’t necessitate evidence; not objective)
Sharma’s critique of the use of English in India is based on a nostalgiac view of authenticity. (focus is on an idea; necessitates evidence)
B. In contrast with Gleiser’s position, I don’t think humans are guided by tribal
instincts. (focus is on disagreement; not arguable with one source=no evidence)
Gleiser’s definition of globalization emphasizes the lack and erasure of boundaries, which conveniently supports the dichotomy of a nature versus nurture debate.
(disagreement is implicit, but focus is on what “is” and how it is that way)
C. Boroditsky uses a lot of details to successfully convince his readers that language
affects thinking. (obvious and therefore, not arguable; specifying the quality of the details would teach us something)
While language and culture are closely entwined, Boroditsky’s use of logically fallacious evidence limits his analysis to one of mere summary. (highlights a pattern and a specific reason why)
D. B-boying makes Korean men seem manly and cool. (not enough evidence; quite subjective)
More than an outlet of expression, the culture of B-boying has enabled a new narrative of the Korean man as masculine and cosmopolitan. (hedging allows this claim to be accurate with one source)
You will notice that my agreement or disagreement with the authors’ positions is implicit in my claim, but is not the focus of my analysis. Instead, I am noticing something that is not obvious by one reading of the text. Moreover, all of these main claims are supportable by one text and can be argued.