TYPES OF CLAIMS

It is imperative that you identify the types of claims, or the approach

to the topic, to see the main argument. It is also useful to note that these
claims may also be used when you write your own paper.
To identify claims, focus on the first and last sentences of a
paragraph. The details in each paragraph will also guide you as to
whether a text supports or opposes a certain claim or argument. The
three general types of claims are claim of fact, claim of policy and claim
of value.
(in case gin encode ko nala an mga guide questions pero kun igpriprint
hiya tag usa usa la hiya or bahala kala basta amo tak suggestion. Pero I
dunno kun necessary ba hiya na igprint or iyayakan nala)
Are the claims presented in the text supported by evidence?
Are these pieces of evidence valid and sufficient?
Are the pieces of evidence anecdotal or scientific? How does this nature
affect the overall credibility of the text?
Does the text have references? Are they reliable and recent?
How does the writer present facts and opinions?

A Claim of Fact is an argument about a quantifiable topic. Note that

a 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. Another
characteristic of a text with 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 a group of scientists report that the timber palette of songs
from 1955 to 2010 has been more or less homogenous (Serra et al.,
2012). Timber 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 the 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.

A Claim of Policy is an argument which asserts the implementation

of certain policy. This is driven by the need to present a solution to
problems that have arisen; sometimes it is given as response to claims of
fact.
It generally states solutions and plans that are procedural and
organized. A claim of policy also incorporates judgment coupled with
supporting information.
Example:
Alternative sources of energy and conservation efforts must be applied
to preempt potential energy problem. Today, most of the energy
resources we have are generated from the limited resource 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 conservation.
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 implementation
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.
 A Claim of Value argues whether something is not good or bad. It is
based on judgment and evaluation on a philosophical, aesthetic, or moral
standpoint. Note that it is not merely a statement of subjective judgment;
a claim of value is also assessed based on accurate information.
(I’m not sure kun important pa ba ina ig upod adi na next paragraph pero
in case la bagat kailangan yeah kita nala hahaha)
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 argument more effective. Moreover,
a claim of value 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 a terminal or
grave illness. While it may be supported by some, euthanasia is not only
an unethical medical place, 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 no 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.