ENGLISH RESEARCH

CANOSSA ACADEMY LIPA

TYPES OF CLAIMS

STEPHEN DAVID Y. TALAGTAG

The six most common types of claim are: fact, definition, value, cause,
comparison, and policy. Being able to identify these types of claim in
other people's arguments can help students better craft their own.

CLAIMS:
Claims of Fact - Claims that assert the truth or existence of something
and can be tested by examining evidence for the claim. Claims of Value -
Claims that make a judgment about the worth or value of something,
usually judging something as praiseworthy or blameworthy, beautiful or
ugly, or simply good or bad.
Ex: Present claims of fact tend to deal with events of current
importance. Examples are: "There is a God," "Divorce is causing
increased juvenile crime," "Video games lead to the increase of violence
among teens," or “Climate change is exacerbated by people.”
Claims of fact are statements that assert something to be true or false
and can be objectively verified or disproven through evidence and data.
These claims are typically based on empirical observations and do not
involve personal opinions or values. Here are some examples of claims
of fact:
1. "The Earth orbits the Sun."
2. "Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit) at
standard atmospheric pressure."
3. "The average global temperature has been increasing over the past
century due to human-induced climate change."
4. "The capital of France is Paris."
5. "The chemical formula for water is H2O."
6. "The Great Wall of China is visible from space."
7. "The moon's gravitational pull causes ocean tides."
8. "The human body requires oxygen for respiration."
 9. "The population of New York City is approximately 8.4 million
people."
10. "Water is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen
atom."
Claims of fact are essential in discussions, debates, and scientific
research, as they provide a foundation for understanding and
establishing the truth about various phenomena and concepts. These
claims are subject to verification and can be supported or refuted with
empirical evidence.

Claims of Value - A claim of value argues that something is good or

bad, or that one thing is better than another thing. Sample claims of
value: It's better to apply good nutritional choices at home than teach
them at school, because good nutrition then becomes ingrained in the
child's experience.
Ex: "The Wizard of Oz is the greatest movie of all time," "Snowboarding
is the greatest way to spend a vacation," or, "Indian food is the best food
of all."
Claims of value are statements that express a judgment or evaluation
about the worth, quality, or importance of something. These claims are
subjective and often depend on individual beliefs, values, or cultural
norms. Here are some examples of claims of value:
1. "Artistic expression is inherently valuable for its ability to evoke
emotions and provoke thought, regardless of its commercial
success."
2. "Education is invaluable because it empowers individuals with
knowledge, critical thinking skills, and opportunities for personal
and societal growth."
 3. "Honesty is a fundamental moral value that should be upheld at all
times, as it fosters trust and integrity in personal and professional
relationships."
4. "Cultural diversity enriches society by bringing different
perspectives, traditions, and experiences to the table, making it a
valuable asset to be preserved and celebrated."
5. "The death penalty is morally wrong and should be abolished, as it
violates the fundamental human right to life and has been
associated with the risk of executing innocent individuals."
6. "Environmental conservation is of paramount importance, and it is
our ethical duty to protect the planet's ecosystems and biodiversity
for future generations."
7. "Personal privacy is a fundamental right in the digital age, and we
should prioritize protecting it from unwarranted surveillance and
data breaches."
8. "Universal healthcare is a moral imperative, as it ensures that
everyone has access to medical care and prevents people from
suffering due to lack of coverage."
9. "In a just society, income inequality should be minimized to ensure
that all citizens have equal opportunities and access to essential
resources."

Claims of Cause - A claim of cause asserts that one event or

phenomenon is the direct result of another event or condition. It seeks to
establish a causal relationship between two occurrences. Here are some
examples of claims of cause:
Ex:
1. "The rise in global temperatures is caused by the increased emission
of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, from human activities
such as the burning of fossil fuels."
2. "The surge in childhood obesity rates is caused by a combination of
factors, including sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, and the
widespread availability of processed foods high in sugar and fat."
3. "The outbreak of a particular infectious disease is caused by a specific
pathogen, which spreads through contaminated water and food sources."
4. "The decrease in the bee population is caused by the widespread use
of pesticides in agriculture, which has adverse effects on bee colonies
and their ability to pollinate crops."
5. "The economic recession was caused by a combination of factors,
including the housing market crash, high levels of consumer debt, and
inadequate regulatory oversight of financial institutions."

Claims of Cause and Effect - Cause and effect is the relationship

between two things when one thing makes something else happen.
Ex: if we eat too much food and do not exercise, we gain weight. Eating
food without exercising is the “cause;” weight gain is the “effect.” There
may be multiple causes and multiple effects.

Claims of Policy - A claim of policy argues that certain conditions

should exist, or that something should or should not be done, in order to
solve a problem.
Ex: 1. "The government should implement stricter regulations on carbon
emissions from industrial sources to combat climate change and reduce
environmental damage."
2. "Public schools should adopt comprehensive sex education programs
that include information on contraception, sexually transmitted diseases,
and healthy relationships to reduce teenage pregnancy rates and promote
sexual health."
3. "To reduce the prevalence of gun violence, the United States should
enact stricter gun control laws, including mandatory background checks
for all gun buyers and a ban on the sale of assault weapons to civilians."

Claims of Comparison - A claim of comparison takes a position on

questions like: What can be learned by. comparing one subject to
another? What is the worth of one thing compared to. another? How can
we better understand one thing by looking at another.
- A claim of comparison, also known as a comparative claim, is a
statement that highlights the similarities or differences between
two or more things. These claims are often used to persuade or
inform by pointing out the relationships between different subjects.
Here are some examples of claim of comparison:
Ex: 1."Apples are healthier than donuts because they are lower in sugar
and higher in fiber."
2. "Electric cars are more environmentally friendly than traditional gas-
powered vehicles due to their lower carbon emissions."
3. "Online learning offers more flexibility and convenience for students
compared to traditional in-person classes."
4. "The advantages of living in a rural area, such as lower cost of living
and less congestion, outweigh the benefits of urban living, such as job
opportunities and cultural amenities."
5. "In terms of longevity and durability, metal roofing is superior to
asphalt shingles."
6. "Netflix has a more extensive library of movies and TV shows
compared to its competitors, making it a better choice for
entertainment."
7. "Cats are generally more independent pets than dogs, as they require
less attention and can entertain themselves."
8. "The quality of handmade crafts surpasses that of mass-produced
items because of the attention to detail and personal touch."
9."E-books are more convenient for travelers than physical books since
they can carry an entire library on a single device."
10."The efficiency of solar panels in generating electricity is greater in
sunny regions than in cloudy or rainy areas."

Claims of Definition - claims of definition, also known as definitional

claims, aim to clarify or define the meaning of a term or concept. These
claims are used to establish a specific definition for a subject or to
resolve disputes over the meaning of a term. Here are some examples of
claims of definition:
Ex: 1. "Marriage should be defined as a legal union between two
consenting adults, regardless of their gender."
2. "The concept of 'sustainable agriculture' can be defined as a farming
practice that meets the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
3. "Freedom of speech, as defined in the First Amendment, protects the
right to express one's opinions without government interference."
4. "In the field of psychology, emotional intelligence is defined as the
ability to recognize, understand, and manage one's own emotions and the
emotions of others."
5. "For the purposes of this research study, 'income inequality' will be
defined as the unequal distribution of income within a specific
population or region."
6. "The term 'classic literature' is often defined as works of literature that
have stood the test of time and continue to be studied and appreciated for
their enduring quality."
7. "In the context of this debate, 'freedom' should be defined as the
absence of coercion or restrictions on individual actions and choices."