Identifying Claims
Implicitly and Explicitly in
a Written Text
Objectives:
[Link] the three types of claim;
[Link] between an explicit
claim and an implicit claim.
[Link] explicit claims directly stated
in a paragraph or short text.
Activity:
The Mystery Text Game
Direction: Read each clue and decide
whether the information is implicit or
explicit.
1. "Liza’s umbrella dripped water
onto the classroom floor…"
implicit
2. "Miguel shouted, ‘I passed the
exam!’ and jumped up and
down."
implicit
3. "Submit your project on Friday
before 5 PM."
explicit
4. "A foul smell made her step
back and wrinkle her nose."
implicit
5. "Maria is angry because she
lost her wallet."
explicit
Critical
Reading
•is a skill that allows to identify
information which are clearly stated
(explicit) and ideas that are
suggested (implicit) because it will
help you make inferences based on
what you have read.
Implicit
•“implied or understood though not plainly
or directly expressed.”
Something is, therefore, implicit when it is not
directly stated but is either suggested in the
wording or necessary to effectuate the purpose.
Explicit
•“to fully and clearly express something,
leaving nothing implied.”
Something is explicit when it is cleared stated
and spelled out and there is no room for
confusion, as in the writing of a contract or
statute.
EXPLICIT INFORMATION
Song Lyrics
E.g. 1:
“It’s amazing how can you speak right to
my heart, Without sayin’ a word, you
can light up the dark.”
The singer feels amazed and that someone
lights up his life.
IMPLICIT INFORMATION
Song Lyrics
E.g. 2:
“That smile on your face lets me know that you
need me. There’s a truth in your eyes sayin’ you’ll
never leave me.” The touch of your hand says
you’ll catch me whenever I fall.
Cause you say it best, when yu say nothing at all.”
Now let us shift gears and read this text:
My uncle’s spaniel took great interest in the first
Apollo space flight. Every few minutes, he’d run eagerly
towards the television set, look underneath and behind it,
and trot back to sit at his master’s feet. It took us some time
to realize that the exploratory missions of Roger, the spaniel,
were in answer to the oft-repeated “Roger” in the
astronaut’s exchanges with Earth.
Benneth (2012)
Some of the explicit information from the texts are the
following:
The uncle owns a dog which is a spaniel.
The spaniel’s name is Roger.
The astronaut on the television often said the word
“Roger”.
Some of the implicit information from the texts are the
following:
The show on TV was about the first Apollo space flight.
The dog recognizes his name and responds when
called.
Let’s review
CLAIMS!
A claim is an arguable statement that is mainly used
to prove or support a point, an idea, or a stand of a
writer.
In an extended argument, claim is labeled as
proposition. Since claims challenge the beliefs or
opinions of others, they require support in a form
of reason and information, whereas other kinds of
statements do not.
THREE TYPES OF CLAIMS:
A. Claim of Fact
B. Claim of Value
C. Claim of Policy
Claim of Fact (Explicit)
•"The Earth orbits the sun once every 365
days.“
• "Water boils at 100°C at sea level."
• "Dogs have a stronger sense of smell
than humans."
• Claim of Value (Explicit)
•"Honesty is more important than intelligence
in building trust.“
• "Face-to-face classes are better for student
engagement than online classes.“
• "Reading fiction is a valuable activity for
developing empathy."
• Claim of Policy (Explicit)
•"The school should implement a no-phone rule
during class hours.“
• "Schools should require students to wear
complete uniforms every day."
• "The government should invest more in
renewable energy sources."
Implicit Claim of Fact
• "Every time it rains, that street floods and cars get
stuck."
→ Implies the fact that the street has poor drainage.
• "Students keep asking their teacher to slow down the
lessons."
→ Implies the fact that the lessons are too fast.
Implicit Claim of Value – 3 examples
"Most parents prefer teachers who communicate
regularly."
→ Implies the value claim that regular communication is
important or good.
"Everyone cheered when the library extended its hours."
→ Implies the value claim that longer library hours are
beneficial.
Implicit Claim of Value – 3 examples
"Most parents prefer teachers who communicate
regularly."
→ Implies the value claim that regular communication is
important or good.
"Everyone cheered when the library extended its hours."
→ Implies the value claim that longer library hours are
beneficial.
Implicit Claim of Policy
1."Students keep getting distracted by their gadgets during
lessons."
→ Implies the policy claim that gadget use should be limited.
2."The school trash bins are always overflowing by lunchtime."
→ Implies the policy claim that the school should improve
waste management.
3."Many residents struggle to cross the street because there’s
no pedestrian lane."
→ Implies the policy claim that a pedestrian lane should be
built.
A. Claim of
Fact
Claims of fact relate to statements that can be verified as they
rely on actual information for support. It states a quantifiable
assertion, or measurable topic. They assert that something has
existed, exists, or will never exist based on data.
Using descriptive and analytical writing, explore every single
angle of the problem, or claim of fact, to assess its level of
truth. By limiting the scope of the study through specific claims
of fact, avoid the logical fallacies.
A. Claim of
Fact claims of fact are opinions drawn by inference which
In general,
involves proving the inference that you have made is reasonable.
Characteristics of a well-argued claim of fact:
▪It states the main argument and defines vague
and controversial terms.
▪It is supported with factual information such as
statistics, testimony, and observation.
▪It uses sufficient, accurate, and recent evidence which
are organized to emphasize the main argument.
B. Claim of
DrunkValue
driving is one of the most selfish things a person can do.
In this statement, it asserts that the act of drunk driving is
selfish (wrong). Although it may be widely accepted, this is a
personal judgment that expresses disapproval.
Schools are doing everything they can to prepare graduating
students for college.
This asserts what the school is doing is sufficient (good). Just like
the previous statement, this can also be widely accepted since
this is a personal judgment that expresses approval.
B. Claim of
Value
Claim of value assert something that can be
qualified. They consist of arguments about moral,
philosophical, or aesthetic topics. These types of
topics try to prove that some values are desirable
compared to others. They make judgments, based
on certain standards, on whether something is
right or wrong, good or bad, or something similar.
B. Claim of
Value
Examples:
1. Fetal tissue research is wrong.
2. Opera is not as entertaining as musical comedy.
Proving a claim of value involves arriving at
reasonable standards of judgment that readers will
accept.
B. Claim of
Value
Characteristics of a well-defended claim of value:
▪ It may assert that the value being defended
will produce good results, as long as it backed
up by reliable information.
▪ It cites experts on the field who support the
claim to make the argument more effective.
▪ It draws on real-world examples and illustrations to
make the abstract values clear.
C. Claim of
Claim ofPolicy
policy is an argument which asserts the implantation of a
certain policy. This is driven by the need to present a solution to
problems that have arisen; sometimes it is given as a response to
claims of facts. It generally states solutions and plans that are
procedural and organized.
i.e., Even stricter penalties should be handed out to drunk drivers.
This statement asserts that stricter penalties should exist. In order
to support this, one would need to prove that the current
condition is less desirable than it would be under this new system
of stricter penalties.
C. Claim of Policy
Questions of policy include:
• What should be done?
• How can we solve this problem?
• What course of action should we pursue?
• What should not be done?
C. Claim of
Policy
Examples:
[Link] should use more rigorous exit assessments to ensure
that students are prepared for college.
[Link] of loaning for oil in some Asian countries, we should
be focusing on ways to reduce oil consumption, such as
researching renewable energy sources.
Note: A claim may be stated either explicitly or implicitly. When a claim
is explicitly stated, the actual meaning of the statement is plainly said or
written whereas when a claim is implicitly stated, there is an underlying
meaning imbedded or hidden on the words said or written.
Thank You for
Listening!