Debate · lesson 1 of 24 · free

Claim, evidence and reasoning — Debate and group discussion

Every good argument has three parts. The claim is the point you want people to accept: “Our school should have a library period every day.” The evidence is a fact that backs it: “In our class survey, 30 of 40 students said they read more when given time.” The reasoning links the two: “This shows that giving time to read helps students read more.” A claim without evidence is only an opinion; evidence without reasoning leaves the listener to guess why it matters.

▶ Watch how it works

Got it? Practise ↓

Debater's tip

Claim → evidence → reasoning — “say your point, prove it with a fact, explain how the fact proves it”

  1. Claim: the point being argued — often a “should” sentence.
  2. Evidence: a fact, number, record or example that can be checked.
  3. Reasoning: explains how the evidence proves the claim — it often begins “This shows that…”, “So…” or “That means…”.

Use it for: Planning any debate point, a persuasive essay, a GD contribution or a class presentation.

Worked example: 🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our eco club counted 200 plastic bottles thrown away in one week.” → evidence

  1. It is a count that anyone could check — it does not say what should happen, or what the count proves.
  2. So it is evidence.

Check: Practise aloud: say one claim, one piece of evidence and one line of reasoning on “Students should learn first aid” ✓

▶ Watch it animated

✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, type the answer and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

Right: 0 · Tried: 0

🏁 Lesson 1 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

🏅 Sign in with Google to earn the 🧩 Claim Detective badge when you pass — and a certificate when you finish all 8 lessons of Part 1 · Arguments. You can still take the test without signing in.

🖨️ Debate Worksheet: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

✨ Free AI tutor

Ask the AI tutor about this lesson

Why does it work? When should you use it? Ask in English, मराठी or हिंदी.

Sign in with Google to ask Free — 20 questions a day.

👩‍🏫 Debate classes near you — online or at home

Prefer a real teacher? TalentJR teachers take live online classes anywhere in India and visit homes in selected cities. Tell us what you need and our team will call you with timings and fees.

Live online classesSmall groups or 1:1 with a teacher, from home, any city.
Teacher at homeA TalentJR teacher visits your home (selected cities).
At a centreClasses at a TalentJR partner centre near you, where available.
Badges, certificates & gifts A badge for every lesson you pass, a certificate for every part you finish, plus TalentJR Points for daily practice. Public speaking Voice, structure and confidence on stage.