Facts are the backbone of strong arguments. They help persuade others by showing what’s real, not just what we feel. When we back up what we say with real facts, people are more likely to believe us, and we avoid falling into the trap of making arguments that sound good but just aren’t true or don’t make sense. Facts give your writing real power and make your case stronger. Every statistic, expert quote, or verified piece of information is like a flashlight in the fog: it helps us to see more clearly in the dark.
A claim of fact is a debatable assertion backed by evidence. It tries to prove that something is true, exists, or happened.
Examples:
"Rising college costs have increased student debt."
"Immigrants contribute to the labor force across a wide range of occupations."
"Homelessness results from a shortage of affordable housing options."
Statements that are not claims of fact have a different structure. They are opinion-based, value judgments, or suggest actions.
Examples:
“College is too expensive.”
“Immigrants make valuable contributions to American society."
“Homelessness is a crisis that needs urgent action."
These statements show personal belief or propose a solution, but they cannot be directly proven with objective evidence.
For this paper, you’ll make a claim of fact, something real that can be supported with evidence like statistics, expert testimony, or research studies. Think of yourself as a detective gathering facts, not a judge handing out opinions.
But here's the key: strong research begins with a good question, not a predetermined answer. It's common to think you need to start with a fact you want to prove, but asking a clear, open-ended research question lets you explore the topic with fresh eyes and gather evidence before deciding what claim is truly supported. The process is about discovery, not just proving what you already believe.
So start small. Get curious. Ask, “What can I learn?” instead of “What do I already believe?” As you move through this guide, you’ll learn to find reliable sources, sharpen your ideas, and build a thoughtful claim of fact based on real research.
If you need a research coach to help you find, evaluate, or cite sources for your paper, ask your FC librarians. We're here to help!
Here how:
