what is the difference between a claim and an argument

A claim purports to be a fact. An argument disputes or argues in favor of a claim. A claim us usually one or two sentences; an argument is usually at least a paragraph long.

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A claim and an argument are two related concepts used in persuasive writing and discussions. While they are often used together, there is a distinct difference between the two.

A claim is a statement that asserts a particular point or belief. It is usually a concise and straightforward declaration that expresses a specific viewpoint or position. Claims can be factual (based on evidence and verifiable information), value-based (based on personal judgment or opinions), or policy-oriented (proposing a course of action or solution to a problem). For example, "Smoking increases the risk of developing lung cancer" is a claim that asserts a cause-and-effect relationship between smoking and the risk of lung cancer.

On the other hand, an argument is a collection of reasons, evidence, and logic presented to support or defend a particular claim. An argument aims to convince others by providing a rationale and justification for accepting the claim. It involves presenting various premises (supporting statements), connecting them logically, and drawing a conclusion that reinforces the claim. In our example, an argument supporting the claim that "Smoking increases the risk of developing lung cancer" may include evidence such as scientific studies demonstrating the link between smoking and lung cancer, statistics on cancer rates among smokers, and medical explanations of the harmful effects of smoking on the lungs.

To summarize, a claim is a statement that puts forth a position, while an argument is a set of reasons and evidence used to support that claim. In a persuasive context, an effective argument is built by presenting logical and compelling evidence to back up the claim.

http://www.powa.org/argumentative-essays/

Claim = proposition = thesis statement

Argument = the entire paper