Pacisco\Toulmin_Model\Claim

A claim is a statement of the point at issue in an argument; its putative conclusion, that something is or is not ‘true’, e.g:

“The best form of governance is directly elected representative democracy.”

“The infective vector in malaria is the mosquito.”

“Viewing television increases aggressive play in children.”

Within Pacisco claims should be expressed as succinctly as possible, and should consist of a single clause, so e.g:

“Nuclear power generation is dangerous and should be rejected.”

should be expressed as two claims, subject to linked but distinct arguments, e.g:

1.  “Nuclear power generation is dangerous.”

2.  “Nuclear power generation should be rejected.”

Establishing 1 may provide grounds for 2.

As the claim is being composed, pre-existing similarly worded claims will be presented and can be selected.  The selected claim can then be further supported or rebutted.

Claims have scope; i.e. the extent to which they are meaningful.