Ms Denise Gill Freshman English, South Pasadena High School Claims and Arguments Ms Denise Gill Freshman English, South Pasadena High School

Claims

Claim: an assertion not yet proven

General Claim Categories: Four Kinds

Claims of Definition or Fact Argues what defines something or whether something is true. It must be arguable, and could be investigated through research and interviews. Examples: The death penalty is impractical. The defendant is guilty of 2nd degree murder.

Claims of Value Argues the value, goodness, or badness of something. Examples: The death penalty is immoral. The use of civil disobedience during the Civil Rights struggle was reasonable, moral, and necessary. The Empire Strikes Back is the best of the Star Wars film because the storyline and characterization are stronger.

Claims of Cause and Effect Arguing that one thing, person/group, or event influenced or caused something else. Similar to claims of definition or fact, they must be arguable. Examples: Social media has increased teen bullying and isolation. US foreign policy in the 1980s helped create the instability that has lead to the rise of groups like ISIS.

Claims of Solution (AKA Claims of Policy) Argue that certain policies or conditions should exist, advocate for establishment for a particular position or policy because a problem exists. Examples: The United States should establish stricter laws about gun sales to increase safety. Students should have mandatory afterschool homework time to make sure that they understand all of their work. Freshmen should be allowed to have homestudy to better meet their academic and athletic needs.

Counterclaims

counterclaim: an assertion that denies the validity or accuracy of the other side’s claim

Some helpful definitions

anecdote a short personal story or personal detail

(statistical) data some quantitative (that means numbers are involved) measure of something and the result of objective research; for example percentages, charts, fractions

historical fact Something that happened in the past and is not arguable

primary source a document, speech, or other sort of evidence written, created or otherwise produced during the time or event being reported. Primary sources offer an inside view of a particular event. (diaries, original documents)

expert opinion Giving the perspective of someone educated and/or professionally experienced in the field being addressed. (An expert opinion does not include people who have merely experienced something--a high school athlete does not give an expert opinion on something, but a coach who has years of experience may.)