Claim Enumeration
Requires the model to list the claims its output asserts as true, making them visible for verification.
Problem
Assertions are buried in narrative prose, making verification difficult and encouraging uncritical acceptance of fluent text.
Solution
Require a separate list of claims (and optionally assumptions) after the answer. This externalizes what is asserted as true so each item can be reviewed and checked systematically.
Example
One worked example. The book has 2–4 per technique.
Our company is considering selling into the US healthcare market. Summarize the key regulatory and market considerations. After your summary, list the specific claims your answer asserts as true.
Healthcare customers often require HIPAA compliance, signed BAAs, and stronger security review than typical mid-market buyers. Integration with EHR systems is often expected, procurement cycles are longer, and pilot programs are common before broad rollout. Sales motions usually involve legal, security, and clinical stakeholders, and implementation timelines tend to be longer because onboarding must align with existing workflows. Claims: 1. Healthcare customers often require HIPAA compliance. 2. Signed BAAs are often required in healthcare deals. 3. Healthcare buyers typically run stronger security reviews than typical mid-market buyers. 4. Integration with EHR systems is often expected. 5. Procurement cycles in healthcare are often longer. 6. Pilot programs are common before broad rollout. 7. Sales motions in healthcare often involve legal, security, and clinical stakeholders. 8. Implementation timelines tend to be longer because onboarding must align with existing workflows.
Techniques
Concrete ways to implement Claim Enumeration. Each technique fits a different situation.
- 01
Claim Extraction
List all claims the output asserts as true, presented as a separate section after the main response so each can be reviewed.
- 02
Assumption Extraction
Separate explicit claims from unstated assumptions that the reasoning relies on but never establishes.
Full treatment in the book
Claim Enumeration — the complete chapter
- ▸ Mechanism — why this pattern works
- ▸ 2–4 worked examples per technique
- ▸ Placement, sequencing, and debugging rules
- ▸ Composition with related patterns