# Student Handout — Lesson 3.1: Building a Strong Claim

**Name:** _______________________  **Date:** ___________

## Remember
- **Fact:** can be proven true.
- **Opinion:** what you think or believe.
- **Claim:** an opinion you will defend. A strong claim **takes a clear side**.
- **Claim Formula:** Topic + Position + Reason preview.

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## Part 1 — Fact or Opinion?
Write **F** for fact or **O** for opinion.

1. ___ Our school day is six hours long.
2. ___ Recess is the best part of the day.
3. ___ Every student should learn an instrument.
4. ___ A triangle has three sides.

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## Part 2 — Build Your Claim
Pick a topic you care about (longer recess, class pets, choosing your own books, school lunch…).

**Topic:** ______________________________

**Position (your side):** ______________________________

**Reason preview:** ______________________________

**My strong claim (put it together):**

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

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## Part 3 — Show You Know
Write ONE fact and ONE opinion about your topic.

- **Fact:** ____________________________________________
- **Opinion:** _________________________________________

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## Self-Check
- [ ] My claim takes a clear side.
- [ ] My claim could be argued (it's not just a fact).
- [ ] I previewed at least one reason.