Statements (Reports and Claims)

Fact Value Belief

Report Verifiable Verifiable Verifiable

(This happened.) (They seemed to (I believe this.)

value this.)

Claim Unverifiable Debatable Unverifiable

(This happened. (We/They should (He believes this.

Take my word value this.) Take my word

for it.) for it.)

Verifiable statements make good supports for a thesis/argument. Usually, verification is presented w/in the argument, i.e., a source is cited. Unverifiable claims may weaken your argument depending on the reader’s acceptance of the source. Debatable claims always weaken your argument if used as supports.