Claims FPO Debate 2014 What is a Claim
Claims FPO Debate 2014
What is a Claim? • Definition: “assertions put forward publicly for general acceptance” • Imply “that there are underlying ‘reasons’ that could show them to be ‘well-founded. ’”
Claims in an Argument • The “starting point” and “destination” • The claimant makes a claim. His/her audience can then demand question evidence for that claim. • Through this process, both parties can determine whether the claim is justified. The argument is “fully reasoned through. ”
Examples of Claims • Legal: John should be convicted of murder. • Medical: This patient has the Ebola virus. • Business: Maroc Telecom should lower its prices. • Scientific: A meteorite will hit the Earth in 20 years.
Grounds • When you hear a claim, you may not believe it and you ask “why” you should believe it. • The response to this “why” question is the grounds or evidence for the claim. • A claim generally answers a who, what, where, or how question. The grounds typically answer a why question.
Exercise 2 • Claim: Prince Charles is the next in line to be king of England. • Grounds: He is the eldest male descendant of the reigning monarch. • Question resolved: Who is heir to the throne of England?
Exercise 7 • Claim: Mitchell committed the murder • Grounds: Fingerprints, ample opportunity, grudge • Question resolved: Who committed the murder?
Exercise 8 • Implied Claim: Jones cannot be secretary-treasurer. • Grounds: He is too unreliable. • Question: Can Jones be secretary-treasurer?
Exercise 16 • Claim: The next twenty years will be revolutionary technologically. • Grounds: Rotary, diesel, turbocharging • Question: What will happen technologically in the next 20 years?
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