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Explicit and Implicit Claims in A Text
Explicit and Implicit Claims in A Text
As you peruse any reading material, you need to check its content, objectivity and relevance in order for you to be able to
connect and find its significance to your life.
Evaluation Guide for critical reading:
1. Content – the substance of the text (Are the input/ideas present/comprehensive –covering the breadth and the
depth of the text? is it comprehensible? As a whole, is it appealing to the readers?)
2. Objectivity – the stand of the author about an issue/article (Are facts presented? Does it present both sides of the
argument? Does the author possess ethical and moral consideration in his/her article?)
3. Significance – the intention, the entire meaning and the value of the issue/article to the reader’s life. ( can the
reader readily connect the issues to his/her life? Is it open for interaction? How is it valuable to the reader?)\
Reading and Writing
EXPLICIT AND IMPLICIT CLAIMS IN A TEXT
Implicit vs. Explicit: What’s the Difference?
IMPLICIT
The definition of implicit is, “implied or understood though not plainly or directly expressed.” Something is, therefore,
implicit when it is not directly stated but is either suggested in the wording or necessary to effectuate the purpose.
For example,
1. There is a morality implicit in his writings.
2. She implicitly said she likes white shoes by saying she likes all colors but tan.
In the first example, the writer may not have clearly or directly laid out a moral vision, but it is understood through the
characters, their actions, and their experiences.
In the second example, the woman states that she likes all shoe colors but tan. While she doesn’t directly say she
likes white shoes, she implicitly does because white is not tan.
EXPLICIT
The definition of explicit is, “to fully and clearly express something, leaving nothing implied.” Something is explicit
when it is cleared stated and spelled out and there is no room for confusion, as in the writing of a contract or statute.
For example,
1. The law was explicit in whose tax rates were to be raised.
2. He said explicitly, you will not attend that concert.
In both of these examples, the word explicit is used to demonstrate something that has been clearly and
unambiguously expressed or stated. There is no room for doubt because everything is clearly and directly
communicated.
NOTE: This is what separates these two words. Something is implicit when it is implied but not directly stated.
Something is explicit when it is directly stated and leaves no room for uncertainty.
DEFINITION OF CLAIM
The word claim comes from the Latin word clamare, which means “to cry out, shout.” In literature, a claim is a
statement that asserts something to be true. A claim can either be factual or a judgment. Claims can work on their
own or in conjunction with other claims to form a larger argument.
A statement essentially arguable, but used as a primary point to support or prove an argument is called a claim. If
somebody gives an argument to support his position, it is called “making a claim.” Different reasons are usually
presented to prove why a certain point should be accepted as logical.
TYPES OF CLAIM:
1. CLAIM OF FACT
It asserts that a condition has existed, exists, or will exist and are based on facts or data. Questions of fact include:
What is true or false?, What happened/didn't happen?, How do we know this?, and What exists/doesn't exist?
Examples:
1. Obesity causes health problems
2. Neil Armstrong was the first man to step foot on the moon.
3. Converting to solar energy can save homeowners money.
2. CLAIM OF VALUE
It attempts to prove that some things are more or less desirable than others.
Question of value include: Is it good or bad?, Is it right or wrong?, How moral or immoral?, Of what worth is it?, Who
says so?, and is it ethical or unethical?
Reading and Writing
Example:
1. Fetal tissue research is wrong.
2. Gay marriage is immoral.
3. Opera is not as entertaining as musical comedy.
3. CLAIM OF POLICY
It suggests a solution to a problem that has been defined or described by an argument.
Questions may include: What should be done?, How can we solve this problem?, What course of action should we
pursue?, and what should not be done?
Examples:
1. I think we need to elect the Supreme Court.
2. You should support restrictions on abortion.
3. Bringing of electronic gadgets like laptops and iPods should be banned in schools.