CLAIMSBy: Lorena Armenta

What are Claims?

A claim is any single statement of controversy advanced for the purpose of argument.

A claim is the main point, the thesis, the main controlling idea.

Characteristics of Claims

Are phrased as statements and not questions. Should be phrased so both sides have an

opportunity to support and defend their positions.

Should be as specific as possible. Must be phrased against the current

belief/policy in order to create potential for controversy.

Should be phrased so the burdens (obligations & responsibilities) are clear to both sides involved.

Characteristics of Claims Cont.

Both sides debate the same claim. Effective claims promote a pro/con

argumentative environment.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF CLAIMS

A Claim of Fact

Claim asserts that something quantifiable has existed, does exist or will exist.

Examples: George W. Bush was the 43rd President. There is a God. The Steelers will beat the Packers at the

SuperBowl.

A Claim of Value

Claim asserts qualitative judgments along a good to bad continuum relating to person’s, events and things in one’s environment.

Example: Heath Ledger was the best Joker.

A Claim of Policy

Claim asserts that something should or should not be done by someone about something.

Example: The United States should have stricter

gun laws.

Environments claims are debated in:

Scholarly debate (takes place within communities and centers on claims of fact).

Religious debate (among the oldest).

Political debate (advance claims for actions to be taken to deal with status quo or current belief).

Environments claims are debated in cont.

Business debate (deals with claims of fact, particularly claims of future fact).

Legal debate (deals with claims of fact and policy).

Environments claims are debated in cont.

Educational debate (also called forensics, can be in team format or one on one format).

Social debate (unstructured and deals with all three types of claims).