There are four main types of persuasive claims: claims of value, claims of fact, claims of policy, and claims of cause and effect. The type of claim being made determines the type of evidence needed to support it. Claims of value require criteria and analysis of alternatives. Claims of fact need credible evidence like data and statistics. Claims of policy must show why the proposed policy should be followed. Claims of cause and effect must clearly link the proposed cause to the proposed effect with evidence. The boundaries between these claim types can overlap.

1. Types of persuasive claims
SLCC
Fairview High School

2. There are four general types of
persuasive claims
• Claims of value
• Claims of fact
• Claims of policy
• Cause/effect claims
• And the type of claim you are making will
drive the type of evidence you provide to
support it.

3. Claims of value
• Example
o Kurt Vonnegut is the best modern satirist.
• Evidence necessary
o Your criteria for determining your value judgment and
analysis of less worthy examples.
 Criteria for determining a great satirist.
 Who are others? How do they not meet the criteria.

4. Claims of fact
• Example
o Women are naturally more nurturing.
• Argue it as a fact even though it may not be a
fact.
o Not a claim:
 Smoking is bad for your health.
 That’s not a debatable “fact.”
• Evidence necessary
o Credible evidence—facts, data, statistics, etc.
 Use scientific evidence that babies are more soothed
by mothers.
 Surveys show that older adults see mothers as more
nurturing.

5. Claims of policy
• Example
o Smoking should be banned in all public
buildings.
• Evidence necessary
o Show all the reasons why your policy claim
needs to be followed.
 Demonstrate that smoking is unhealthy.
 Demonstrate the dangers in particular of second-
hand smoking.
 Something about the role/rights of public
buildings.
 Why specifically in ALL public buildings.

6. Cause/effect claims
• Example
o Because the flu shot contains thimerisol, no
pregnant women should be given the flu
shot.
• Evidence necessary
o Make the link between the cause and effect
clear.
 Evidence about thimerisol and its dangerous side
effects to mother and fetus.

7. The boundaries between these claims
are fluid; they can overlap
• Fact and value
o Arguing as fact and placing a value judgment on it.
o Boxing is a dehumanizing sport.
• Cause/effect and policy
o Because this causes that, this other step needs to be
taken.
o E.g., Because of the dangers of thimerisol on pregnant
women and fetuses, flu shots for pregnant women
should not contain thimerisol.

8. Think about your own work:
• Write down your thesis.
• What type of claim are you making with your
research paper thesis?
o Value
o Fact
o Policy
o Cause/effect
o Some combination
• And what kind of evidence then should you be
collecting?