Claims, Warrants, and Impacts Debate I

WRITING CLAIMS CLAIMS must have TWO features: A good claim is DEBATABLE. A good claim is NARROW.

Good claims must be DEBATABLE Which of the following two claims is debatable? Pollution is bad for the environment. At least 25% of the federal budget should be spent limiting pollution.

Good claims must be DEBATABLE Why is B the more debatable claim? Pollution is bad for the environment. At least 25% of the federal budget should be spent limiting pollution.

Good claims must be NARROW Which of the following claims is more narrow? Illegal drug use is detrimental because it encourages gang violence. Drug use is detrimental to society.

Good claims must be NARROW Why is A the more narrow claim? Illegal drug use is detrimental because it encourages gang violence. Drug use is detrimental to society.

TYPES OF CLAIMS There are four types of claims: Claims of fact Claims of cause and effect Claims of value Claims of solution

CLAIMS of FACT These claims argue about what the definition of something is or whether something is a settled fact. EXAMPLE: What some people refer to as global warming is actually nothing more than normal, long-term cycles of climate change.

CLAIMS of CAUSE & EFFECT These claims argue that one person, thing, or event caused another thing or event to occur. EXAMPLE: The popularity of SUVs in the United States has caused pollution to increase.

CLAIMS of VALUE These are claims made about what something is worth, whether we value it or not, how we would rate or categorize something. EXAMPLE: Global warming is the most pressing challenge facing the world today.

CLAIMS of SOLUTION These claims argue for or against a certain solution or policy approach to a problem. EXAMPLE: Instead of drilling for oil in Alaska we should be focusing on ways to reduce oil consumption, such as researching renewable energy sources.

Identify the type of claim The increased number of people smoking in the U.S. has caused healthcare premiums to go up. Tobacco products contain addictive ingredients. Removing tobacco products from the market in the U.S. should be our top priority. Instead of simply stating that tobacco products are bad for your health, we should remove them from the market.

Identify the type of claim The increased number of people smoking in the U.S. has caused healthcare premiums to go up. Cause and Effect Tobacco products contain addictive ingredients. Fact Removing tobacco products from the market in the U.S. should be our top priority. Value Instead of simply stating that tobacco products are bad for your health, we should remove them from the market. Solution

WARRANTS Parts of a warrant: Data - evidence, fact, research Bridge – how the data supports the claim Backing – additional logic or reasoning that may be necessary to support the warrant

WARRANT PRACTICE Can you identify the DATA, BRIDGE and BACKING in the following warrant?

WARRANT EXAMPLE Claim: Lopez Middle School students achieve academic excellence. Warrant: Lopez’s Reading STAAR scores were the highest among the district. The scores were 97% in the 6th grade, 99% in the 7th grade and 100% in the 8th grade for the 2015 STAAR test. This proves academic excellence because Lopez scoring above 90% overall ranks them as exemplary. Any school that is exemplary achieves academic excellence.

WARRANT EXAMPLE Claim: Lopez Middle School students achieve academic excellence. Data: Lopez’s Reading STAAR scores were the highest among the district. The scores were 97% in the 6th grade, 99% in the 7th grade and 100% in the 8th grade for the 2015 STAAR test. Bridge: This proves academic excellence because Lopez scoring above 90% overall ranks them as exemplary. Backing: Any school that is exemplary achieves academic excellence.

IMPACTS Impacts have three considerations: 1. Timeframe When will the impact happen? 2. Probability What is the likelihood the impact will actually occur? 3. Severity & Believability How much would the impact affect the world? Is the impact believable?

IMPACT EXAMPLE The likelihood of Lopez students achieving academic goals is very high given the high test scores. Many parents will want their child to attend Lopez so that their child can obtain academic success. Lopez’s academic achievement proves that it is the best middle school in the North East ISD. What was considered when writing this impact? Timeframe, Probability, or Severity and Believability

Probability and Believability The Answer Probability and Believability HOW DO YOU KNOW?

QUIZ – Friday, October 28! Be able to identify the four types of claims given an example Tell me what two qualities all claims must have Explain the three parts of a warrant and give an example Explain the three aspects of an impact Given a claim, write a full set of warrants and impacts – like your homework assignments