2. Read the following assertions below and
observe how each statement differs from
each other, although they talk about the
same thing.
1. Burritos are
awesome.
2. I made
burritos this
morning.
3. Burritos served in the
canteen should be made by
canteen personnel only.
Burritos are flour tortilla folded
around a filling (as of meat, beans,
and cheese.)
3. CLAIM
Comes from the latin word clāmāre
Is a statement essentially arguable,
but used as a primary point to prove
an argument
4. CLAIM OF FACT
Declares that
something has
existed, does
exist or will exist
Debates whether
the statement is
true or false
Can be verified
using some
factual evidence
Statement that
reports, predicts,
describes or
makes casual
claims
Frequently
verifiable
Not all are true;
they must be
proven to be true
5. Examples:
1. Vaping can lead to high
blood pressure and lung
disease.
Since vaping is an electronic cigarette, it
is very obvious that too much use of it
causes illness in the body.
6. Examples:
2. Zimbabwe is in Africa
Through looking at the map or globe or
searching using the Internet, we can
prove that Zimbabwe is a landlocked
country in southern Africa.
7. Examples:
3. The ozone layer is becoming depleted.
Too much heat that we are
experiencing now is the result of the
thinning of the ozone layer.
8. CLAIM OF POLICY
Asserts that
specific policies,
actions and
changes should
be undertaken to
solve problems
or address and
issue
Presents
alternative
solutions.
Usually, has the
keyword “should”
which implies
that some
actions are ought
to be taken but
not that it must or
will be taken
Called the
problem-solution
technique.
Advocates a
specific course of
action
9. Examples:
1. A dress code must be
introduced in public high schools.
The speaker here suggests that a dress
code could perhaps bring elegance and
show proper decorum for students as
some are wearing unsuitable attire in
school especially if there are no classes.
10. Examples:
2. We should all have access to
health/care.
The mere presence of the word “should”
in the second statement asserts that a
solution to a problem in paying hospital
bills is the access to healthcare
regardless of whoever you are.
11. Examples:
3. Students’ cellphones should be collected
by office personnel when they enter the
school.
Another course of action here is
hoped to be implemented that is, the
collection of students’ cellphone by
the school personnel.
12. CLAIM OF VALUE
States opinion on
people, events,
and things as
either good or
bad.
Is based on
preference such
as likes/dislike
Makes
judgement or
evaluation
Uses criteria of
morally, taste or
aesthetics.
Attempts to
prove that some
things are right
or wrong
Takes a more
evaluative
position
13. Examples:
1. Public schools are better than
private schools.
There is a personal judgment shown
as public schools are seen to be
better that private schools
14. Examples:
2. Fashion modeling is degrading to
women.
Fashion modeling is degrading the
morality of women. The speaker/writer
shows his evaluation of modeling to
women. At the end, there is still
judgment.
15. Examples:
3. Homosexuality is immoral because it
violates religious, societal and
biological standards.
It is very clear in this example that the
speaker/writer regards homosexuality as
bad since according to him it is a violation
to the society’s standards. An opinion about
homosexuality is being expressed in this
examples.
16. HOW TO FORMULATE CLAIMS
CLAIM OF FACT: FIND MORE CREDIBLE SOURCES
FIND MORE RECENT DATA
FIND MORE ACCURATE DATA
CLAIM OF POLICY: ASSESS MANY TIMES THE
FEASIBILTY AND EFFECTS OF
YOUR PROPOSAL.
LOOK AT ALTERNATIVE
SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS.
EXAMINE YOUR CLAIMS OF
FACT AND VALUE FROM
WHICH THE PROPOSAL BASED
ON.
17. HOW TO FORMULATE CLAIMS
CLAIM OF VALUE: RECHECK THE CRITERIA OR
STANDARDS FOR JUDGMENT
PROPOSE ALTERNATIVE
STANDARDS.
18. A claim is a statement, not a
question
The claim is the focus of the
argument. A claim should be
argumentative and datable.
A claim should be specific and
focused A claim should be interesting
and engaging
A claim should be logical
