RW Types of Claims in A Written Text
RW Types of Claims in A Written Text
Students are expected to be able to read and evaluate arguments or opinions in a text but, not all
students are given an equal opportunity to be taught in depth on how to do it. Hence, many learners
develop low self-esteem in engaging reading meaningfully. The
problem is no longer with the students; it is a problem of lack on
training and practice in our current educational system. In fact,
everyone can learn to read and evaluate an argument if resources are
readily made available. Analyzing a text in a formal argument
presented by an author should be seen beyond than a mere of
something one does for a class. It is a basic life skill that everyone
must practice to be able to make reading engagement fruitful and
helpful in our life. Readers must be made aware that the goal of an
author is to convey and persuade, by providing arguments supported with evidences thus, expect them to
change their attitude, belief, or behavior. This poses a challenge to readers. It will now test the ability of the
readers to analyze a text, react, verify issues, affirming one’s value, and make a stance that would lead to
yield right decisions for the betterment of oneself, community and industries. On same note, readers
should also be made fully aware that an opinion, idea, assertion, and arguments cover certain claims. And
there are three types of claim: Fact, Value, and Policy Claim.
What is a Claim?
Claim is an arguable statement – an idea that a speaker or writer expect an audience to accept. A
claim is an opinion, idea, or assertion. Here are some examples: “I think we should protest the Anti-
Terror Bill”. “I believe that the present administration has no concrete plans to fight COVID-19”. “We
need Modernization”. These three claims might all be valid but it should be supported with evidence to
get the agreement of an audience.
The word claim comes from the Latin word clamare, which means “to cry out, shout.” Hence, with
the definition of claim, this can then be argued, verified, or disproved. A claim deals with searching of
agreement from the audience to agree with the statement or discourse. It also involves anticipation
from the audience’s agreement and anxiousness that they might not agree with. A claim must pose two
sides of a coin. It is a question whether the audience will agree or not. Because a claim with certain answer
whether to agree or not to agree is not a claim.