Types of Claims

1. CLAIM OF FACT
- is an argument about a quantifiable topic. Claim of fact is not fact; it only asserts a stand regarding a
debatable topic.
- A well-argued claim of fact clearly states the main argument and defines vague and controversial terms. It is
supported with factual information such as statistics, testimony, and observation.
- A good claim of fact is the use of sufficient, accurate, and recent evidence which are organized to emphasize
the main argument.

Example:
Despite the seemingly marked difference of today’s songs from those of the past decades, the current pop
music scene does not offer something new that can progress music. In fact, one of the findings from the research of
the group of scientists reports that the timber palette of songs from 1955 to 2010 has been more or less homogenous
(Serra et al., 2012). Timbre is the property of music which distinguishes one sound from another, even when the pitch
and the loudness are the same. This means that songs from 1955 until 2010 have more or less same sound. Since
music evolves through the development of new techniques and exploration of new sound elements, this trend of
timbre homogenization indicates that today’s music scene does not offer a fresh contribution that can advance the
growth of the field.

2. CLAIM OF VALUE
- argues whether something is good or bad. It is based on judgment and evaluation on a philosophical,
aesthetic, or moral standpoint. This is not merely a statement of subjective judgment; a claim of value is also
assessed based on accurate information.
- A well-defended claim of value may assert that the value being defended will produce good results, as long as
it is backed up by reliable information.
- A text with a good claim of value cites experts on the field who support the claim to make the arguments more
effective. It draws on real-world examples and illustrations to make the abstract values clear.

Example:
Euthanasia, which is also known as mercy killing, is an act to end a person’s life to alleviate the suffering brought
about by terminal or grave illness. While it may be supported by some, euthanasia is not only an unethical medical
practice, it is also a crime. After all, on the most basic level, this practice takes a life. In fact, majority of the countries
in the world consider it as homicide. Aside from being a crime, euthanasia is unethical in the medical context
because it violates the one of the tenets of the Physician’s Oath, namely that of “primum non nocore” which means
“”first, do not harm”. In the Declaration of Geneva, doctors have the responsibility of saving lives, not destroying
them. In essence, euthanasia is a violation of life, and it can never be an acceptable procedure.

3. CLAIM OF POLICY
- is an argument which asserts the implementation of a certain policy. This is driven by the need to present a
solution to problems that have arisen;
- pit states solutions and plans that are procedural and organized. It also incorporates judgement coupled with
supporting information

Example:
 Alternative sources of energy and conservation efforts must be applied to pre-empt the potential energy
problems. Today, most of the energy resources we have are generated from limited resources like coal, oil, and
natural gas. If continuously consumed at an alarming rate, fossil fuels necessary for generating power to operate
vehicles and factories will run out before long. Nonetheless, this problem can be addressed by using alternative
sources of energy and by emphasizing conversation. First, using alternative sources of energy such as solar energy
and fusion energy would lessen pollution. These alternatives are actually more accessible and cost-efficient.
Although there are some potential risks in using fusion energy, these risks can be mitigated by implementing strict
safety measures. The second solution that governments can adopt is the enhancement of conservation efforts. To do
this, governments need to make the public more aware of the benefits of conservation as well as ways of conserving
energy, such as recycling. Laws can also be passed to mandate the public and all stakeholders to recycle energy.