Which term describes the main idea or argument presented by a writer?

Which term describes the main idea or argument presented by a writer?

• A. Cite sources
• B. Setting
• C. Claim
• D. Scene

Answer: (C)

The main idea or argument a writer puts forward is called the claim. A claim is the statement the author wants you to accept or agree with, and the rest of the text is built to support it with reasons and evidence. For example, in a persuasive piece about school start times, the claim might be “Schools should start later in the morning.” The writer would then provide reasons and evidence to persuade you of that position. Citing sources isn’t about the writer’s position; it’s about showing where the evidence comes from. Setting or scene describe where and when events happen in a story, not what the author believes or argues.

The main idea or argument a writer puts forward is called the claim. A claim is the statement the author wants you to accept or agree with, and the rest of the text is built to support it with reasons and evidence.

For example, in a persuasive piece about school start times, the claim might be “Schools should start later in the morning.” The writer would then provide reasons and evidence to persuade you of that position.

Citing sources isn’t about the writer’s position; it’s about showing where the evidence comes from. Setting or scene describe where and when events happen in a story, not what the author believes or argues.