What's the difference between saying something and proving it?
"This is the best phone!" That's a CLAIM. "In tests, it lasted 3 hours longer than competitors" - that's EVIDENCE. People confuse these all the time! A claim is what you SAY. Evidence is what SUPPORTS it. Big difference!
CLAIM: A statement that something is true. "Eating carrots improves eyesight!"
EVIDENCE: Data, facts, or observations that support or refute the claim. "Study of 1,000 people found no correlation."
Claim = assertion. Evidence = support. You need BOTH!
People often repeat CLAIMS as if they're EVIDENCE!
"Everyone knows carrots improve eyesight!" ← That's still just a claim, even if many people say it!
Repetition ≠ evidence. Popularity ≠ proof. Ask: "What's the actual DATA?"
Claims use: "is," "will," "should," "always," "never"
Evidence includes: numbers, measurements, studies, specific observations, verifiable facts
CLAIM: "This detergent is better!"
EVIDENCE: "Removed 23% more stains in lab tests"
One is opinion, one is testable!
When someone makes a claim, ask: "What's your evidence?" or "How do you know?"
This simple question transforms conversations! Claims without evidence are just opinions. And that's okay - but we should know the difference!
Claims are statements that something is true. Evidence is the data that supports or refutes those claims!
The structure of argument:
CLAIM (what you say) + EVIDENCE (why we should believe you) = ARGUMENT
Examples of CLAIMS:
• "This is the best car!"
• "Homework doesn't help learning"
• "Social media is harmful"
• "Our product works better"
Examples of EVIDENCE:
• Test results showing 30% better performance
• Study of 5,000 students over 3 years
• Brain scans showing activity differences
• Before/after measurements
Common confusion:
People present claims AS IF they're evidence:
• "Studies show..." (which studies? Show me!)
• "Everyone knows..." (still just a claim!)
• "Obviously..." (not evidence!)
Your critical thinking question: "That's an interesting claim - what evidence supports it?"
🤔 Which thinking lens(es) did you use?
Select all the lenses you used:
🌱 A Small Everyday Story
"This game is the best!"
"That's your claim. What's your evidence?"
"Everyone says so!"
"That's another claim. What's the DATA?"
"Well... it has 4.8 stars from 50,000 reviews."
"NOW you're giving evidence!"
See more guidance →
🧠 Thinking habits this builds:
- Distinguishing assertion from proof
- Asking "How do you know?"
- Looking for data behind claims
- Recognizing when evidence is missing
🌿 Behaviors you may notice (and reinforce):
- Asking for evidence when claims are made
- Recognizing opinions vs facts
- Providing evidence for their own claims
- Noticing when ads use claims without evidence
How to reinforce: "You asked for evidence instead of just accepting the claim! That's critical thinking in action."
🔄 When ideas are still forming:
Children might think strong feelings = evidence. Help them see that conviction isn't proof.
Helpful response: "Believing something strongly is fine! But belief is a claim, not evidence. Evidence is what helps OTHERS believe too."
🔬 If you want to go deeper:
- Find an ad - what claims does it make? What evidence?
- Why do people accept claims without evidence?
- How do scientists turn claims into evidence?
Key concepts (for adults): Claims, evidence, burden of proof, assertions, verification.