IMPLICIT AND EXPLICIT CLAIMS IN PARAGRAPHS

CLAIM – an assertion of the truth behind a fact/opinion; this is typically something open
to dispute/debate

KIND OF CLAIM CLAIM OF TRUTH CLAIM OF VALUE CLAIM OF POLICY

-an argument -an argument about -an argument making
about a the moral, aesthetic, an assertion about
DEFINITION measurable topic and/or philosophical the course of action
(What is it?) value of a topic the reader should
take

-a statement about -a statement -a statement

how things were in concerning the regarding the merits
the past/how they relative merits of of one course of
CHARACTERISTICS will be in the future something which is action as opposed to
(What does it usually -is NOT EQUAL to measured another course of
look like?) a fact, but only subjectively action
LOOKS LIKE a
fact

-when the speaker -if different people -when

has no may disagree on the people/institutions
GROUNDS FOR
direction/direct criteria used to may not be totally
DEBATE
way of establishing evaluate something certain about the
(When can others
the truth behind proper course of
contest this claim?)
the claim action to take, they
still must act
-the speaker must -use another value -state the given
provide arguments claim knowledge we have
which build a case -the speaker must at present on why we
COUNTERARGUMENT for claims, showing involve a set of should act on the
(How can I defend my that the claim is criteria for desired course of
claim?) PROBABLY considerations, and action, instead of the
TRUE, or at least, defend that set of alternative ways
MORE LIKELY to criteria s/he is to use
be true than false to justify the claim
Capital Capital punishment is Capital punishment
punishment does unjust, since it is should be
not determine the inequitably abandoned by
EXAMPLE
brand of discipline administered (i.e. ‘civilized societies’.
of a particular only used against the
country. poor).