Identify Claims of Fact, Policy and Value

Learning Competency

➢ Identifies claims explicitly or implicitly made in a written text. (EN11/12RWS-IIIij-6)

a. Claim of Fact (EN11/12RWS-IIIij-6.1)
b. Claim of Policy (EN11/12RWS-IIIij-6.2)
c. Claim of Value (EN11/12RWS-IIIij-6.3)
Learning Objectives:

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Distinguish the three types of claims.

2. Write claims (fact, policy, and values).
3. Demonstrate confidence in accomplishing tasks.
WHAT I KNOW
Task 1
Directions: Read the items carefully. Identify each statement as a claim
of fact, claim of policy or claim of value. Write your answers in
your activity notebook.

________ 1. There is only one God.

________ 2. “Ang Probinsiyano” is the best teleserye ever in
Philippine TV.
________ 3. Using cellphones inside the classroom should be
prohibited.
_______ 4. Legislation should be passed to stop the sale of
cigarette.
_______ 5. Excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to many
illnesses.
_______ 6. Obesity can cause heart disease.
_______ 7. Oranges are better than apples.
_______ 8. Honesty is the best policy.
_______ 9. Extra judicial killings should be stopped.
_______ 10. Wearing of face masks should not be mandatory.
WHAT’S IN
Task 2
Directions: Read the situation below. Then, answer the questions in your
activity notebook.

A classmate comes up to you and accuses you of stealing her money. She even
adds angrily that the amount she claims that is stolen from her is just enough for her to
commute going home after classes. Naturally, assuming you didn’t steal anything, you
would deny it? Your classmate doesn’t believe you, saying that you were the only person
in the room when she found out she lost her money. Plus, you are her seatmate and
you’re the nearest one to her bag where her money is, she adds. Assuming again, that her
arguments are right, how would you defend yourself?
Source: Reading and Writing Skills by Marella Therese A. Tiongson and Maxine Rafaella C. Rodriguez
Explore!
1. What is being talked about in the paragraph?
2. Do you think the pieces of evidence presented are
sufficient and valid to support the argument? Why or why not?
WHAT’S NEW
Task 3
Directions: Read the paragraph below and answer the questions in your activity notebook.

During the 21st century, the word Facebook (FB) came into our awareness. In
fact, it is one of the most popular social networking sites with over one million users.
Almost ¾ of these users are 13 to 25 years old, and these people use FB every time they
have an opportunity to do so at school, at home, in the mall, and anywhere else. So, FB
seems to just be a waste of time. It is a complete distraction to students. Many
students fail to complete their assignments and projects because they are addicted to FB.
Some use words and acronyms that only they can understand, and it crosses over even
during face-to-face conversations. FB also becomes a tool for bashing and avenue for
gossiping. These are just some of my impressions of FB.
Source: Academic Reading and Writing by Jessie s. Barrot PhD
Analyze the text using the questions below.

1. What do you think prompted the writer to write the paragraph?

2. What are your thoughts and feelings about the text?
3. What do you think is the central claim of the text?
4. Do you share the same sentiments with the writer?
5. Do you think the pieces of evidence presented are sufficient and
valid to support the claim? Why or why not?
6. Are there evident flaws in reasoning in the text? If yes,
enumerate them.
What Is It
When reading texts critically, it is imperative that you identify the type of claims or the approach to the topic, to see the main argument. Although we focus on critical reading, it is useful to note that these claims may also be used when you write your own paper.

To identify the claims, focus on the first and last sentences of the paragraph. The details in each paragraph will also guide you as to whether a text supports or opposes a certain claim or argument.
What are claims?
Whenever you read something, you find yourself looking for the writer’s
point or position regarding the chosen topic. That point is also known as the claim,
or the central argument or thesis statement of the text. This claim is what the writer
tries to prove in the text by providing details, explanations, and other types of
evidence. As such, it is usually found in the introduction or in the first few
paragraphs of the text.

The claim is the most important part of the text. The quality and complexity
of the reading depend on the claim because the claim defines the paper’s direction
and scope. The claim is a sentence that summarizes the most important thing that
the writer wants to say as a result of his/her thinking, reading, or writing.
Characteristics of a good claim

1. A claim should be argumentative and debatable.

2. A claim should be specific and focused.
3. A claim should be interesting and engaging.
4. A claim should be logical.
Types of Claims
1. A claim of fact makes an assertion about something that can be proved or
disproved with factual evidence. However, keep in mind the basic quality of
claims, that they have to be debatable, and offer an assertion about an issue. So, a
claim of fact for a logical argument cannot simply consist of a statistic or proven
fact. It needs, instead, to focus on an assertion which uses facts to back it up, but
for which the evidence might still be debatable. In other words, if you make a
claim of fact, you show factual evidence (examples, data, research reports) that
prove your claim.
Claims of fact usually answers a “what” question. When determining whether
something is a claim of fact, the following questions are useful:

➢ Is this issue related to a possible cause or effect?

➢ Is this statement true or false? How can its truthfulness be verified?
➢ Is this claim controversial or debatable?

Example:
Sometimes people use Facebook, Twitter, and other social media to bully
one another.
2. A claim of value argues that something is good or bad, or right or wrong or that one
thing is better than another thing. Claims of value attempt to explain how problems,

situations, or issues ought to be valued. To discover these explanations, you may ask
the following questions:
➢ Which claims endorse what is good or right?
➢ What qualities should be considered good? Why?
➢ Which of these values contend with others? Which ones are more important,
and why?

Example:
It is wrong to use social media to bully people.
3. A claim of policy argues that certain conditions should exist, or that something
should or should not be done, in order to solve a problem. Claims of policy
defend actionable plans, usually answer “how” questions. The following
questions will be useful in evaluating a claim of policy:
➢ Does the claim suggest a specific remedy to solve the problem?
➢ Is the policy clearly defined?
➢ Is the need for the policy established?
➢ Is the policy the best one available? For whom?
➢ How does the policy solve the problem?
Example:
There should be criminal charges brought against people who use Social media to bully people.
Source: Reading and Writing Skills by Marella Therese A. Tiongson and Maxine Rafaella C.Rodriguez
What’s More
Task 4
To strengthen your understanding of types of claims, take this ten question self-test. See if
you can identify which type of claim the statement is making, then check the answer.

1. Vaping can lead to increased blood pressure, lung disease, and insulin resistance.
2. The basic keys to success are perseverance and discipline.
3. Studies have shown that exposure to violent media is a risk factor for violent behaviors.
4. The Career Support Network is an excellent resource for people who are
considering a mid-life career change.
5. In order to ensure that graduates are competitive for top jobs in their fields, the
college must put additional resources into its career services office and internship
programs.
6. Although the International Astronomical Union announced that Pluto is
not actually a planet, experts disagree on what characteristics define a planet.
7. Increased investments in solar power will benefit national security by reducing
dependence on fossil fuels.
8. Parents should not only be aware of how their children are using social media,
but also understand the potential positive and negative impacts of social media
use.
9. Advances in computer modeling have made it possible to create completely
new types of architectural structures.
10. It is immoral to steal from stores to feed yourself or others.
Source:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-esc-wm-englishcomposition1/chapter/types-of-claims/
What I Have Learned
Task 5
Directions: In your notebook, complete the following statements.
1. I have learned that
________________________________________________________
2. I have realized that
________________________________________________________
3. I will apply what I’ve learned
________________________________________________________
What I Can Do
Task 6
Directions: In your notebook, complete the following table by writing

statements that fall under the appropriate type of claim.

Claim of Fact Claim of Value Claim of Policy

1. 1. 1.

2. 2. 2.
Assessment
Task 7
Directions: Determine the claim used in the following statements. Write your answers in your
activity notebook.
1. The “Lakers” is the best team in NBA.
2. Students’ cellphones should be collected by office personnel when they enter the school.
3. Dakak is a better place to go for summer vacation than Boracay.
4. Wearing of school uniform should be compulsory.
5. Mercy killing is immoral.
6. Instagram is owned by Facebook.
7. “It’s Showtime” is the best variety show in Philippine TV.
8. Video game addiction is not a mental illness but an individual choice.
9. President Rodrigo Duterte is the best president of the Philippines.
10.Churches should have to pay taxes.
GLOSSARY

Claim of Fact - makes an assertion about something that can be proved or

disproved with factual evidence.
Claim of Value – argues that something is good or bad, or that one thing is
better than another thing.
Claim of Policy - argues that certain conditions should exist, or that
something should or should not be done, in order to solve a

problem.