Writer's Toolbox For Building Arguments
Reading Strategy: Determining Claim Types


Determining the type of claim at stake in an argument is a good way to grapple with the core of the argument and to increase your reading comprehension. The following questions on claim types can guide your examination of an argument and help you identify the type of claim at issue.

1.  

What is the main point of disagreement between the arguer and the audience?

2.  

Does the argument involve a categorical issue, a definitional issue, a causal issue, a resemblance issue, an evaluation issue, or a proposal issue? (Sometimes a number of points are at issue. Usually, various subpoints all link to a main point. For this question, try to identify the single main point at issue.)

3.  

Is this argument about reality (what someone claims is true or will be true) or values (what someone claims is good, bad, or important)?

4.  

Do lower-order reality claims support higher-order values claims? If so, what are these supporting claims?

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