How an argument holds together — Language, 14–17 years
A strong argument connects a claim to reasons and evidence, so another person can follow and test the thinking.
Claim, reason, evidence
An argument is more than an opinion stated loudly. It has a claim—the point you want accepted—plus reasons that explain why, and evidence that supports those reasons. The links must be clear enough for someone else to inspect, question or disagree with them.
Why arguments need support
Arguments solve a practical problem: people can want different answers, and confidence alone cannot show which answer is better. Reasons make the path visible; evidence lets us check whether the path rests on facts, observations or reliable sources rather than mere assertion.
Worked example: a later school start
Claim: school should start at 9:00 rather than 8:00. Reason: teenagers often need more sleep, so an earlier start may reduce attention. Evidence: a school survey found that 68% of students slept under eight hours and first-period lateness fell after a trial at 9:00. The evidence supports the reason, which supports the claim.
The trap: evidence is not decoration
A common mistake is to add a statistic or quotation and assume the argument is now proved. This feels reasonable because numbers and experts sound authoritative. But evidence only helps when it is relevant, trustworthy and explained: show what it demonstrates and how it connects to the claim.
Where it appears
You meet this structure in essays, debates, reviews, campaign messages and decisions about health or money. It also helps you read critically: identify the claim, ask for the reason, and check whether the evidence really supports the conclusion.
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