Answer:
The function of a claim in an argument is to state the author's position on the issue. It is the central idea of the argument, and it is what the author is trying to persuade the reader to believe. Claims can be either factual or value-based. Factual claims are statements that can be objectively verified, such as "The sky is blue." Value-based claims are statements that express the author's opinion or belief, such as "The death penalty is morally wrong."
The claim is typically stated in the introduction of the argument, and it is then supported by reasons and evidence. The reasons explain why the author believes the claim is true, and the evidence provides support for the reasons. The claim, reasons, and evidence together form the argument.
So, the function of a claim in an argument is to:
State the author's position on the issue
Provide the focus for the argument
Be supported by reasons and evidence
The claim is not the same as the introduction to the argument. The introduction may provide some background information on the issue, but it is the claim that states the author's position on the issue.
Here is an example of a claim in an argument:
Claim: The death penalty is morally wrong.
Reason: It is cruel and unusual punishment.
Evidence: The death penalty is often applied in an arbitrary and discriminatory manner.
This is just one example of a claim in an argument. There are many different types of claims, and the way that they are supported will vary depending on the specific argument.