Question

What is a claim? Relying on the rhetorical triangle (focus on writer/purpose, reader characteristics, and reality/topic), explain why a claim message usually takes the direct pattern.

Answer 1

Direct order is appropriate for good news and neutral information. Common types of direct messages are the inquiry, the positive response to an inquiry, the claim, and the positive response to a claim. Direct order places the main point first. A claim letter is a persuasive letter sent by a customer to a business or agency to identify a problem with a product or service and can also be referred to as a letter of complaint.

Using the rhetorical triangle, a claim wishes to express what the claimant desires. The writer needs to show his strenngth of mind and how inflexible his demand is. The audience would seek to know the firmness of the complaint and the situation demands a message which would deliver the main point first. Hence, claim messages are usually direct.