What Are the Six Types of Claims? A Comprehensive Guide

December 11, 2025 •

3 min read

Statistics show that a solid argument is built on a clear and compelling assertion. Understanding the six types of claims is the first step toward building a strong, evidence-based case, whether for academic writing, business proposals, or daily communication, and knowing their differences is key to successful persuasion.

Quick Summary

There are six principal types of claims: fact, definition, value, cause, comparison, and policy. Each serves a distinct purpose in an argument, framing the central thesis and directing the evidence needed for effective persuasion.

Key Points

Claim of Fact: Proves or disproves an assertion that is debatable and verifiable with evidence.
Claim of Definition: Argues how something is classified or interpreted, requiring clarification of key terms.
Claim of Value: Makes a judgment about something's worth or morality based on established criteria.
Claim of Cause: Focuses on a cause-and-effect relationship, linking an action to its result.
Claim of Comparison: Argues that one thing is better, worse, or similar to another based on a comparative standard.
Claim of Policy: Proposes a specific course of action or solution to a problem, often using "should" or "must."

The Foundation of Argumentation: Understanding the Six Types of Claims

A claim is the central assertion in an argument that needs support from evidence and reasoning. Mastering the six common types—fact, definition, value, cause, comparison, and policy—is crucial for effective communication and choosing the right strategy for your topic and audience.

Claim of Fact

A claim of fact asserts the existence or future existence of something that can be verified as true or false with empirical evidence. While based on facts, these claims are debatable, focusing on the interpretation of evidence rather than the definition of terms.

Example List of Claims of Fact:
- "The Earth is becoming warmer due to climate change."
- "The death penalty does not deter crime."
- "The Apollo moon landings were not faked."

Claim of Definition

This claim argues about the classification or nature of a term, especially when its meaning is contested. The writer must establish a specific interpretation to build their argument, such as whether an embryo is considered a "human being".

Claim of Value

A claim of value makes a judgment about something's quality, desirability, or morality based on specific criteria. Establishing these standards is key to an effective value claim, like arguing that video games are a valuable educational tool based on defined criteria.

Claim of Cause

This claim asserts a cause-and-effect relationship, aiming to explain why something happened or predict future outcomes. Debating causal claims involves presenting evidence of correlation and demonstrating a direct link, such as the debated relationship between antidepressants and teen suicide rates.

Claim of Comparison

Claims of comparison argue that things are alike or that one thing is better or worse than another, often using specific criteria for evaluation. For example, comparing public and private schools requires criteria like cost and curriculum. Comparison can also serve as a sub-claim using analogy to clarify complex ideas.

Claim of Policy

A claim of policy proposes a solution or course of action and is often indicated by words like "should" or "must". This type is complex and often relies on establishing claims of fact, value, and cause as support. An argument for increased funding for prisoner education, for instance, requires proving the facts of the issue, the value of education, and the potential cause-and-effect of reduced recidivism. For additional resources on crafting arguments, consider exploring materials like those offered by the Purdue Online Writing Lab.

Comparing the Types of Claims


Claim Type	Primary Question	Requires Proof Of
Fact	Is it true?	Verifiable evidence
Definition	How is it defined or classified?	Shared understanding of terms
Value	Is it good or bad?	Criteria for judgment
Cause	What caused this?	Cause-and-effect link
Comparison	Is it better or worse?	Shared criteria for comparison
Policy	What should we do?	Need for action and solution's efficacy

How to Build a Strong Argument with Claims

Constructing a successful argument involves careful development and support, starting with identifying your core claim type:

Identify Your Core Purpose: Determine which of the six claim types represents your main thesis – proving a fact, defining a concept, evaluating something, explaining a cause, comparing two things, or proposing a solution.
Gather Appropriate Evidence: The chosen claim type dictates the necessary evidence. Fact claims need verifiable data, while value claims require evidence supporting your judgmental criteria.
Develop Sub-claims: Arguments often combine claim types. A policy claim, for example, might be supported by fact and value claims.
Anticipate Counterarguments: A debatable claim has counter-positions. Addressing these strengthens your argument.
Refine Your Thesis: A clear, specific thesis statement, often incorporating your claim, is vital. Ensure it accurately reflects your argument's focus.

Conclusion

Understanding the six types of claims—fact, definition, value, cause, comparison, and policy—is fundamental to building persuasive arguments. By recognizing the purpose of each type, writers can choose the most effective approach for their topic and audience. From academic writing to professional presentations, the ability to identify and support a clear claim is essential for effective communication and influencing others. Whether establishing truth, defining terms, making judgments, tracing causes, drawing comparisons, or advocating policies, knowledge of these claim types provides the structure for a compelling argument.

Frequently Asked Questions

A claim of fact asserts that something is true or false, verifiable with evidence (e.g., "The car is red"). A claim of value makes a subjective judgment about something's worth or morality (e.g., "Red cars are the best").

Yes, an argument will often have a main or dominant claim but use other types of claims as sub-claims to provide support. For example, a policy claim might be supported by claims of fact and value.

To identify the dominant claim, determine the main purpose of the argument. Ask yourself: Is the author primarily trying to prove something is true, classify a term, make a judgment, establish a cause, compare, or propose an action?

The most common and important word to look for in a claim of policy is "should." Verbs like "must" or "ought to" also signal a proposed course of action.

You would use a claim of definition when the meaning of a key term is controversial or ambiguous and needs to be clarified for the audience to understand your argument. It helps frame the discussion.

Yes, causal claims are often debated, especially in areas like social science or medicine, because proving a direct cause-and-effect relationship can be difficult and open to conflicting interpretations.

Understanding claim types allows you to analyze arguments more effectively. By identifying the type of claim being made, you can better assess the validity of the evidence presented and the reasoning used to support it.

A claim of value needs evidence that supports your specific judgmental criteria. This can include expert testimony, real-world examples, and illustrations that prove something is, for instance, beneficial or moral based on your stated standards.