Critical thinking is one of the most important skills we have to learn when we read a certain information. It is an analysis of facts to form a judgment.
When we read anything, one of the most crucial abilities we must develop is critical thinking. It is the examination of facts in order to reach a conclusion.
This can assist us in identifying the most relevant, trustworthy, legitimate, and credible facts to employ in an argument. Fake news is prevalent, and we must be careful in examining claims, but a critical reader assesses the relevance of the writer’s thoughts or remarks.
What is a claim?
- It is a topic of an argument
- Central Idea
- What the author attempts to prove in the text by details, explanations, and other sorts of proof.
- A Claim is a sentence that summarizes the most important thing that the writer wants to say as a result of his/her thinking, reading and writing.
- It should be debatable.
For example:
- Covid-19 vaccines are ineffective and deadly.
- Tawa-tawa is the cure for Covid-19
- President Rodrigo Duterte is the best president we ever had.
THREE TYPES OF CLAIMS
- Claim of Fact
- A claim whether something is true, or untrue but there must always be potential for controversy, conflict, or change.
Example:
“Covid-19 and flu spreads in similar ways”
- Claim of Value
- A claim that is based on preference such as likes or dislikes and it usually compares 2 ideas against one another.
Example:
“Abortion is immoral”
- Claim of Policy
- Statements that argue that something needs to be done. May it be making a law or calling for action.
Example:
“Death Penalty should be legalized.
Another examples
CLAIM OF FACT | CLAIM OF VALUE | CLAIM OF POLICY |
“Suob” can help us cure Covid-19 | “Suob” is the good way to cure Covid-19 | “Suob” should be used as an alternative cure for Covid-19 |
The criminal rate in the Philippines has been extremely low | Killing criminals and drug pushers are immoral | Death Penalty should not be abolished for the safety of the Filipinos |
Covid-19 vaccines can help you not to catch Omicron | Pziser is the best vaccine. | The government must impost no vaccine-no entry rule. |
Tags: claim of fact, policy, value, writing, rhetoric, persuasion, argumentation, lifethinkler