What makes something a claim?

Asked by: Vito Nienow  |  Last update: January 29, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (4 votes)

Something is a claim when it's a specific, arguable statement presented as true, serving as the main point of an argument that requires evidence and reasoning to support it, rather than being a simple fact or personal feeling. A good claim defines the goal of a discussion, invites debate, and answers the "so what?" question, making it more than just a description or an opinion like "I didn't like the movie".

What is an example of a claim?

What is an example of a claim? A claim answers a debatable question posed by a writer, which then is proved in a paragraph or essay. For example, "Dogs make better pets than cats" is a claim that can be argued.

What are the 4 types of claims?

The six most common types of claim are: fact, definition, value, cause, comparison, and policy.

What best defines a claim?

Definition. A claim is a statement that presents an idea or series of ideas as arguments. Arguments therefore consist of claims, or another way to put it is, to say that claims are the building blocks of a good argument.

How do you define a claim?

A claim is an assertion that something is true or a demand for something as a right, often requiring proof or backing by evidence, and it can refer to an insurance request, a legal assertion, or a statement of fact. It means to state something as true (e.g., "He claimed he was innocent"), to demand something due (e.g., "claim benefits"), or to require something (e.g., "the project claims our time").
 

Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning.

42 related questions found

What is a good claim example?

Good claim examples are specific, arguable statements that take a clear stance, like "Governments should enforce strict carbon regulations to combat climate change," or "School uniforms should be adopted in higher education to promote equality," as opposed to general facts or opinions, focusing on a position that needs evidence to be proven. Effective claims often include a reason (e.g., "Yoga offers significant mental benefits because it reduces stress hormones") and avoid weak phrases like "I think". 

How do you identify a claim?

Claims are statements about what is true or good or about what should be done or believed. Claims are potentially arguable. "A liberal arts education prepares students best" is a claim, while "I didn't like the book" is not.

What is a claim in an essay?

What is a claim? • A claim is the main argument of an essay. It is the most important part of an academic paper. • A claim defines the paper's goals, direction, and scope. It is supported by evidence.

What are the elements of a claim?

1) It is the claimant's responsibility to establish the five basic requirements of a claim, which is known as the "burden of proof." 2) There are 5 basic elements of a claim: Time, Civil Employee, Fact of Injury, Performance of Duty, and Causal Relationship.

What are the four characteristics of a claim?

A claim must be arguable but stated as a fact. It must be debatable with inquiry and evidence; it is not a personal opinion or feeling. A claim defines your writing's goals, direction, and scope. A good claim is specific and asserts a focused argument.

What are 5 claims?

This document outlines five types of claims that arguments can be categorized into: claims of fact, definition, cause, value, and policy. It provides examples and descriptions of each type of claim, noting that the predominant claim identifies the main purpose of the argument.

What makes a claim valid?

In law, a valid claim or colorable claim is a claim that is strong enough to have a reasonable chance of being determined both valid based upon its being sufficiently supported by law and provable fact to be plausibly proved in court.

What are the three main claims?

If an instructor chooses to assign the three claim papers, it is suggested that the papers be assigned in the order of fact claim, value claim, policy claim since value claims Inevitably incorporate fact claims and since policy claims, to be effective, must employ face and value claims within them.

What are the three examples of claims?

There are three types of claims: claims of fact, claims of value, and claims of policy. Each type of claim focuses on a different aspect of a topic. To best participate in an argument, it is beneficial to understand the type of claim that is being argued.

What is a simple claim?

Small claims are for simple cases that don't involve large amounts of money or complicated issues. They're often used to get compensation or your money back if something's gone wrong.

What makes a sentence a claim?

A “claim” (also known as a “thesis statement” or “argument”) is the central idea of your paragraph or essay and should appear in the first sentence. AVOID GENERALIZATIONS, CLICHÉS, QUESTIONS, OR “STATING THE OBVIOUS”: Wishy-washy openings are the hallmark of an under-confident writer.

What is considered a claim?

A claim is a set of operative facts creating a right enforceable in court. The term claim is generally synonymous with the phrase cause of action, though some contexts prefer to use one of the terms over the other.

What are the four claims?

Definition to Remember: 4 Claims = Fact, Value, Cause and Effect, Policies. 3 Appeals = Reason, Emotion, Character.

What are the three main types of claims?

The three main types of claims in argumentation are Claims of Fact, asserting something exists or is true (e.g., "Climate change is real"); Claims of Value, judging something as good/bad or right/wrong (e.g., "That movie was terrible"); and Claims of Policy, arguing for a specific action or solution (e.g., "We should ban single-use plastics"). These claims form the foundation of an argument, requiring evidence to support their positions.
 

What is a good example of a claim?

Good claim examples are specific, arguable statements that take a clear stance, like "Governments should enforce strict carbon regulations to combat climate change," or "School uniforms should be adopted in higher education to promote equality," as opposed to general facts or opinions, focusing on a position that needs evidence to be proven. Effective claims often include a reason (e.g., "Yoga offers significant mental benefits because it reduces stress hormones") and avoid weak phrases like "I think". 

What does "claim" mean in a story?

Claims are challengeable statements supported by reasons and evidence. They're the “main idea” of an argument and represent what the author believes and plans to convince the audience as they read or listen to it. Claims address the “so what” of the argument and tell the audience why they should care about it.

What is a claim in easy words?

A claim is a statement asserting something is true or a demand for something as a right, often requiring proof or justification, like claiming you're owed money or claiming a product prevents hair loss, but it needs evidence to back it up. It can be a statement (an assertion) or a demand (a request for something due). 

What are 5 examples of claims of fact?

Five examples of claims of fact, which assert something is true and verifiable, include: Smoking causes lung cancer, The Earth revolves around the Sun, Africa is a continent, Water boils at 100°C at sea level, and The Philippine Eagle is critically endangered, all statements that can be proven or disproven with evidence. 

How to explain claims made?

A claims-made policy covers claims filed while the policy is active, even if the event happened earlier. An occurrence policy provides coverage based on when the incident happens, regardless of when the claim is filed.

How can you test a claim?

Testing Claims

  1. Intuition: Does this 'feel' right?
  2. Logic: Does the reasoning make sense?
  3. Authority: Does the AI cite credible sources or experts?
  4. Evidence: What data or research backs this up?