Identifying the arguer’s point CLAIMS Identifying the arguer’s point

Questionable claims “During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet.” (Al Gore, in a CNN interview with Wolf Blitzer, March 9, 1999). “Kelly Yeats and Neil McKenzie from Bridge of Dee were staying at Foyers Bay House when they saw a ‘long necked, curved headed’ creature in the loch at 8.30 in the morning.” (http://www.lochness.co.uk/fan_club/thisyr.html#2009). “Have larger, firmer, and more shapely breasts in just weeks.” (Perfect Woman Breast Cream, http://www.perfectwoman.com/) “HIV is not the cause of AIDS.” (Peter Duesberg, molecular biologist, 1988).

claims Claims are the starting points of most arguments. A claim is the point an arguer is trying to make. The claim is the conclusion, proposition, or assertion an arguer wants another to accept. The claim answers the question, "So what is your point?” example: “You should send a Valentine to Mimi, because she sent you one last year.” example: “I drove last time, so this time it’s your turn to drive.” example: “Because the groundhog saw his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter.”

clue words for identifying claims Claims typically follow words like: Consequently… So… In sum… We may conclude that… It follows that… The bottom line is… Which proves that… The truth of the matter is… The most likely explanation is… It is clear that… example:” Ned is conservative, therefore he likes Sarah Palin.” example: “There are newspapers in the Boswell’s driveway, thus they are probably out of town this weekend.” example: “The car’s engine is still warm, hence it must have been driven recently.”

Claims can be implicit or unstated Example: a teenager stayed out past his curfew. When he finally comes home his mother says “Billy, it’s 2 am. You know what that means.” The implicit claim is “you’re grounded.” Example: toward the end of a date, one person might tell another, “The night is young. I’ve got a great bottle of wine back at my place.” If you are uncertain of the claim, ask.

If you are uncertain about the claim, ask. “What, exactly, is your point?” “What are you driving at?” “Cut to the chase” “What are you trying to say?” “Sorry, I don’t see your point.”

More about claims... There are four basic types of claims: fact: claims which focus on empirically verifiable phenomena judgment/value: claims involving opinions, attitudes, and subjective evaluations of things policy: claims advocating courses of action that should be undertaken definition or classification: claims about categorization and classification

factual claims Factual claims are empirically verifiable—ultimately there is a correct answer somewhere Osama Bin Laden is dead. Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France 7 times. The letter “e” is the most common letter in the English language. 1 in 150 people has a 3rd nipple. Not empirically verifiable A zombie cannot be killed by a stake through the heart. Unicorns are color blind. The Easter Bunny is white. Leprechauns are, on average, 3 feet tall..

More about factual claims The arguers may not be able to prove the correct answer example: “More than 300 innocent people have been executed in the United States.” A false claim of fact is still a factual claim. example: “Dr. Gass is 6’4” tall. Johnny Depp won an oscar. Facts may involve the past, present, or future example: “California’s Hispanic population will more than double over the next 10 years.”

Fortifying factual claims To strengthen a factual claim cite expert sources. The Great pyramid of Giza was built in 2560 B.C. Brier, B., & Houdin, J-P (2008). The secret of the great pyramid: How one man’s obsession led to the solution of ancient Egypt’s greatest mystery. New York: HarperCollins. There are 11 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S. (www.pewhispanic.org, 2009). Factual claims can be based on averages a typical apple contains 55 calories. A Gallup poll in 2009 found that 62 percent of Americans thought stem cell research was morally acceptable, while only 30 percent thought it was morally wrong. Taking into account the margin of error, which was three percent, a large majority of Americans support stem cell research.

Hypothetical facts? hypothetical arguments based on conjecture, they really constitute judgment claims. “If a fan hadn’t interfered with a foul ball that Moises Alou was trying to catch, the Cubs would have gone on to win the 2003 World Series.” “If Princess Diana had been wearing a seat belt she would have survived the car crash that claimed her life.” “If Hitler hadn’t tried to fight a war on two fronts (Europe and Russia) the Nazis would have won World War II.”

Fact/inference confusion This painting is a forgery. Barack Obama was born in Kenya. It is impossible to sneeze without blinking. Approximately thirteen percent of Americans live in poverty. In chess, a bishop may only move diagonally. Nature is neither cruel nor kind, nature is indifferent. There are nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. A vampire does not cast a reflection in a mirror. Cigarettes are more dangerous than marijuana. There is intelligent life elsewhere in the universe.

Judgment or value claims Involve matters of taste, opinion, attitudes Example: “Macs rule, PCs drool.” example: “Torture is wrong.” example: “Babe Ruth is the greatest slugger of all time.” Always carry an evaluative dimension: positive vs. negative good versus bad right vs. wrong Not all opinions are equally good example: “Waco, Texas is the most romantic city in the world.” example: “Norbit was the best movie of 2007.”

policy advocates what should be done “there oughta be a law…” “Don’t just stand there…do something!” Requires someone to take a specific course of action an individual a legislature a court

Sample policy claims When shopping for groceries, you should take a reusable bag with you. You ought to exercise at least three times a week for 30 minutes or more. Never wear flip flops to the office. You should change your motor oil every 4,000 miles. Simple possession or use of marijuana should be decriminalized. School teachers should be allowed to have a firearm in the classroom. No one under 18 admitted.

should/would fallacy: confusing the type of claims Mona : “I think marijuana should be decriminalized in all 50 states.” Zach: “That will never happen.” Mona : “I didn’t say it would happen, I said it should happen. A rational society should not ban what is essentially a victimless crime.

definition advocates a specific definition or interpretation of a concept example: What is the tallest mountain in the world? example: “Pluto is not a planet.” example: “Tiger Woods is African-American.” often necessary to define key concepts prior to arguing claims of fact, value, or policy example: “Rich people should pay higher taxes.” What constitutes “rich”? often centers on what category or classification is most appropriate