WHAT IS A CLAIM?
A claim is the most important part of the text or it is also called as the central argument or
thesis statement of the text. It is a sentence that summarizes the most important thing that the
writer wants to say as a result of his/her thinking, reading, or writing. Claims in texts are
significant propositions /7arguments. The logical and meaningful arrangement of claims allows
a better judgment of a reader while he/she determines the value of the claims cited.
The 3 Types of Claim
1. Claim of Fact states a quantifiable assertion, or a measurable topic. It usually answers a
―what‖ question. It is an inference made based on data, documents, scientific observation
results, and research. Factual claims could be founded in historical facts, in relational-causal
events/concept, and prediction based on plausible evidence.
When determining whether something is a claim of fact, the following questionsare useful:
• Is this issue related to a possible cause or effect?
• Is this statement true or false? How can its truthfulness be verified?
• Is this claim controversial or debatable?
Examples: 1. The sampaguita’s roots are used for medicinal purposes, such as an anesthetic
and a sedative.This inference is based on scientific observation results, and research.
2. Due to this COVID-19 outbreak, classes were opened in October, 2020 as declared by
DEPED and approved in Malacanang.This is in relational-causal events/concept, and
prediction based on plausible evidence.
2. Claim of Value asserts something that can be qualified. It consists of arguments about
moral, philosophical, or aesthetic topics. It makes judgments, based on certain standards, on
whether something is right or wrong, good or bad, or something similar. It also use of credible
authority/experts for support.
To discover the explanations, you may ask the following questions:
• Which claims endorse what is good or right?
• What qualities should be considered good? Why?
• Which of these values contend with others? Which ones are more important, and why?
Whose standards are used?
Examples: 1. God is saying to you today; ―I know you are physically and emotionally drained.
But you have to keep on going, I’ll see you through.‖ Amen.(lessonslearnedinlife.com)This
consists of arguments about moral and philosophical topics.
2. Food for thought on Sunday of the 18th week in ordinary time on August 2, 2020 by
Monsignor Bonifacio Burlaza, ―Do I acknowledge my need for God’s help or do I look to other
things to satisfy this need?The use of credible authority/experts for support is employed here.
3. Claim of Policy that specific and measurable actions should be chosen as solutions to a
particular problem in order to address issues or concerns presented in an argument or
proposition. This requires proposals of clear and measurable actions or steps, justification of
the proposed action, advantages of the proposed action, possible counter arguments. You can
easily identify a claim of policy because they begin with ―should,‖ ―ought to’‖ or ―must,‖
Claims of policy because they defend actionable plans, usually answering ―how‖ questions.
The following questions will be used in evaluating a claim of policy:
• Does the claim suggest a specific remedy to solve the problem?
• Is the policy clearly defined?
• Is the need for the policy established?
Examples: 1. To insure the accomplishment of this task of national spiritual reconstruction, we
shall formulate and adopt a social code that can be explained in the schools and preached
from the pulpits.This entails specific and measurable actions as solutions to a particular
problem in order to address issues or concerns presented in an argument or proposition.
On the foregoing Covid-19 Pandemic, Mayor Sarah Duterte urged Dabawenyos to stay at
home, unless they are working or need to go out to buy food and medicines; must wear face-
masks in public places, observe physical distancing, and practice frequent handwashing with
soap. This is a concrete example of policy claim because these defend actionable plans,
usually answering “how” questions.
