Under Rule 8(a)(2), what must the pleading show?

• A. That the case is properly venued
• B. That the defendant has not answered
• C. That the pleader is entitled to relief
• D. That the complaint is verified

Answer: (C)

Under Rule 8(a)(2), the pleading must contain a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief. This means the plaintiff should lay out enough facts to give the court and the defendant notice of what is being claimed and why relief is warranted—whether that relief is damages, an injunction, or some other remedy. It’s about presenting a plausible claim, not about proving the case in full or detailing venue or procedural statuses. The other options aren’t required at this stage: venue is governed by different rules, whether the defendant has answered is a procedural status, and a complaint in federal court isn’t required to be verified.