Developing the Synthesis Claim Types of Claims of

Developing the Synthesis Claim

Types of Claims of Fact n Claims of Value n Claims of Policy n

Claims of Fact These claims argue about what the definition of something is or whether something is a settled fact. Predictions about the future may be claims of fact as well. ¨ ¨ ¨ Women are as effective as men in combat. The ozone layer is becoming depleted. Increasing population threatens the environment. Bigfoot exists in remote areas. Men need women to civilize them. ¨ I will get an A on my psychology test. ¨ The U. S. will win the most gold metals Olympics. in the winter

Claims of Value n n A claim of value can be a moral, ethical, or aesthetic judgment. (Aesthetic=concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty. ) These are claims made about what something is worth, whether we value it or not, how we would rate or categorize something Claim of value uses words such as good, bad, better, worse, right, or wrong. Examples: ¨ The 1995 -1996 Bulls were better than the 2012 -2013 Heat. ¨ Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is one of the most significant American novels. ¨ Abortion is wrong. ¨ Public school are better than private schools ¨ Science Fiction novels are more interesting to read than romance novels ¨ Dogs make the best pets ¨ Mercy Killing is immoral ¨ Computers are a valuable addition to modern society ¨ Viewing television is a wasteful activity

Claims of Policy—You know these! n n They can advocate for government action, a change in an institution, or social change. These are claims that argue for or against a certain solution or policy approach to a problem. Often use “should” or “should not. ” Examples: College administrators should have no oversight over college newspapers. Concealed carry laws need to be overturned. The United States must provide more aid to African countries where 25 percent or more of the citizens are HIV positive. ¨ We should stop spending so much on prisons and start spending more on education ¨ Children in low-income families should receive medical insurance from the government ¨ Social security should be distributed on the basis of need rather than as an entitlement ¨ ¨ ¨

Here are the requirements: 1. Claims should be focused, complex, and arguable. 2. Claims should be stated in a complete sentence.

What does “focused” mean? n Read the claims below and tell me which ones are focused and which ones aren’t. ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ TV violence is bad for us. Viewing violent programming on television has a negative effect on the social development of children. Women should have the choice to terminate a pregnancy. Women should be able to make decisions about their bodies. Abortion laws violate women’s basic freedoms and liberties. Abortion laws strip and individual’s right to make a free choice. People should use good grammar. Language is a reflection of our socioeconomic status.

Complex? You mean you want these to be confusing? n Which claims below are both focused and complex? ¨ Campus rape is a serious problem, and we need to do something about it. ¨ College administrators and students need to work together to reduce both the number of campus rapes and the fear of rape. ¨ College administrators and students need to work together to reduce the number of rapes by encouraging people to speak up about their experiences.

Arguable? n Someone must be able to disagree with you. (Avoid the “duh” factor) ¨ Violence is bad. ¨ (Better) Violence on television is the largest problem facing American society today.

Now, your turn. Almost… Take a look at the handout in front of you. n These are claims of students from last year. n They are okay. Please make them great. n I will show you suggested answers on the next slide. n

Revised 2012 -2013 Claims (note: not revised yet…need to do) n n n 1. Standardized testing inaccurately measures what it is supposed to measure- college readiness- and gives high middle class students advantages to succeed in life. 2. Transgender individuals are treated unfairly, and they should be treated fairly like non transgender individuals. 3. Schools are failing because they lack funding, have non-conducive class environments, and lack parental involvement, which causes failing schools to be characterized as minority schools because minority schools have identical problems. 4. A high political leader seems to have a greater influence on people's expression of opinion than a religious figure -at least it does in the case of gay marriage. 5. Discrimination in educational funding is displayed in several ways geographical, racially, and socioeconomically. Discrimination in early education causes oppression in the job force later.

Now, really. Your turn. Feel free to look at all the examples from this slide show. n Look at how they are worded. n Look at their meanings. n Look for inspiration in writing yours. n Revise the one you brought to me today. n