Types of claims: Objective, Subjective, and Not a claim

Earth is flat.

Objective claim

This is a claim of fact about the world that could be proven true or false.

Summer can be a hurricane season.

Objective claim

Statements such as "X is possible" are usually Objective Claims. The possibility may be either explicit or implied.

Hopefully you'll enjoy the journey.

Not a claim

This is a pleasantry

Newcastle is one of the best cities to live in Australia.

Objective and Subjective claims

• Newcastle is a city in Australia: This is a claim of fact about the world that could be proven true or false.

• Newcastle is one of the best cities: This is an opinion expressed by the Responsethat might represent the opinion of an individual, a group, or a general common sense.

Take Route 66 to get there.

Objective claim

This can be rephrased as “you can take Route 66 to get there.”

Imperatives: Commands to "Do X", such as "Travel by ferry across the Bosporus", often function as an implied Objective Claim that "It is possible to do X." Note also that the context of the full Response (travel guide, meal recipe, step-by-step how-to guide, etc.) may help you understand the implied claims.

Sorry, I don't understand the question.

Not a claim

This is a punt

The Rolling Stones magazine said rock and roll is better than dubstep.

Objective claim

An opinion sourced to a person/group is an Objective Claim that the opinion is held by that person/group.

• The Evening Post says that Palm Harbor is one of the best places to live in the area. (This is an Objective Claim that the Evening Post said this)

Day1: Go to the Central Park.

Not a claim and Objective claim

• “Day1” is a sentence structure with no claim. (It does not make any significant claim on its own)

• “Go to the Central Park” is an imperative.

The best book in the world, Eragon, is only 325 pages long.

Objective and Subjetive claims

• “Eragon, is only 325 pages long” is a fact about the world that an be fact-checked

• “Eragon is the best book in the world” is an opinion expressed by the Response that might represent the opinion of an individual, a group, or a general common sense.

Palm trees grow much faster in Hawaii than Sequoias.

Objective and Implicit Objective claims

• “Palm trees grow much faster in Hawaii than Sequoias” is a fact about the world that can be fact-checked

• “Sequioias grow in Hawaii” is implied here.

You should contact your teacher if you are unsure.

Not a claim

This is a generic suggestion.

This is not medical advice; consult a doctor if you want to know more.

Not a claim

This is a disclaimer

Once upon a time, there was an enchanted land of fairies and magic.

Not a claim

This is a creative response

You'll be fine after all.

Not a claim

This is a reassurance.