What makes a claim a claim?

A claim is a statement that asserts something as true, debatable, or actionable, requiring evidence or reasoning to be convincing.

Depending on the context, what makes a statement a valid claim varies:

In Arguments and Academic Writing

• Arguability: It must be open to debate or challenge, rather than an obvious, undisputed fact. (Example: "Schools should start later" vs. "Schools start in the morning".)
• Specificity: It focuses on a clear, nuanced position rather than a broad generalization.
• Supportability: It must be capable of being backed up by evidence, data, or reasoning.

In Law and Insurance

• Legal Enforcement: It acts as a formal demand for a right, money, property, or a remedy based on operative facts.
• Validity: In a lawsuit or Legal Claim Definition, it requires proof that a duty existed and was breached, causing measurable harm. In insurance, it requires a formal request showing a loss is covered under policy terms.

A claim is an assertive statement that presents a debatable idea or position as true, which the speaker or writer intends to prove using reasons and evidence.

Learn more about writing arguments from the College Writing Guide on Claims.

Key Characteristics of a Claim

• Debatable: It is not a universally accepted fact or a simple observation; it takes a side and can be challenged by others.
• Supported by Evidence: It requires data, logic, or reasoning to back it up, going beyond a mere personal feeling or unsupported opinion.
• Specific and Focused: It clearly defines the scope and main point of an argument rather than making a vague or overly broad statement.

Main Types of Claims

• Claims of Fact: Assert that something is true, happened in the past, or will happen in the future, and can be verified or disputed with data.
• Claims of Value: Judge whether something is good, bad, moral, beautiful, or better than an alternative based on specific standards.
• Claims of Policy: Propose a specific action, rule, or solution to fix a recognized problem.

You identify a claim by looking for a debatable statement that conveys the main point or position an author wants to prove.

Steps to Identify a Claim

• Ask the core question: Find the sentence that answers, "What point is the author trying to defend?"
• Check if it is debatable: Ensure the statement is an opinion or position that requires proof, not an undisputed fact.
• Look at the location: Check the beginning or end of a paragraph or essay, where thesis statements and topic sentences usually appear.
• Distinguish from evidence: Remember that a claim is the central argument, while evidence is the data, statistics, or facts used to back it up.

Three Main Types of Claims

• Claims of Fact: Assert that something is true or false and can be checked with data.
• Claims of Value: Judge whether something is good, bad, right, or wrong.
• Claims of Policy: Propose a specific action or rule that should be put into practice.

Good evidence for a claim is relevant, accurate, verifiable, and sourced from a credible authority.

To build a strong argument, your evidence needs specific key qualities:

Core Qualities of Good Evidence

• Relevance: It must directly connect to and support your specific Argument: Claims, Reasons, Evidence rather than general or unrelated facts.
• Credibility: It should come from a trustworthy, expert source with verified authority and minimal bias.
• Verifiability: Readers or listeners must be able to check the facts, data, or historical dates themselves.
• Accuracy: Statistics and research data must be correct, up-to-date, and used in proper context.
• Sufficiency: You need enough varied examples or data points to prove the point without overgeneralizing.

Strong Types of Evidence

• Empirical Data: Scientific studies, lab results, and quantifiable measurements.
• Statistics: Accurate numerical trends or percentages gathered through sound research.
• Expert Testimony: Direct statements from recognized authorities in that specific field.
• Specific Examples: Concrete case studies or historical events that clearly mirror your Making a Claim.

The three main types of claims used in argumentative writing and critical thinking are Claims of Fact, Value, and Policy Study Guide | Quizlet: claims of fact, claims of value, and claims of policy.

1. Claims of Fact

• Definition: These assert that something is true or false, or that something has existed, exists, or will exist.
• How they work: They rely on empirical data, research, or observable evidence to be proven or disproved.
• Example: "Global warming will impact future generations."

2. Claims of Value

• Definition: These make a qualitative judgment, evaluating whether something is good, bad, right, wrong, beautiful, or worthwhile.
• How they work: They are based on standards, morals, ethics, or personal taste rather than universal empirical proof.
• Example: "Safety is more important than freedom."

3. Claims of Policy

• Definition: These advocate for a specific course of action or propose a solution to a problem.
• How they work: They usually include conditional or action-oriented verbs like "should," "must," or "ought to".
• Example: "The government should lower the voting age."

(Note: In scientific research methods, claims are instead categorized as frequency claims, association claims, and causal claims.)