POLANGUI GENERAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL

Senior High School Department

Polangui, Albay
2nd Semester, 2020-2021

Learning Activity Sheet No. 8

(Reading and Writing Skills)

I. Learning Skills
After going through this activity sheet, you are expected to be able to:
1. Formulate assertions about the content and properties of a text read;
2. Formulate counterclaims in response to claims made in a text read.

II. Introductory Concept

ASSERTION
Assertion is a stylistic approach or technique involving a strong declaration, a forceful or confident and positive statement
regarding a belief or a fact. Often, it is without proof or any support. It is a confident and forceful statement of fact or belief. Its
purpose is to express ideas or feelings directly, for instance, ―I have put my every effort to complete this task today. ―Standing up
for your rights and not being taken advantage of is one definition of being assertive. It also means communicating what you really
want in a clear fashion, respecting your own rights and feelings and the rights and feelings of others.
Assertion is an honest and appropriate expression of one’s feelings, opinions, and needs. A way to convince a critical
reader to accept the writer’s claim is to formulate assertions.
Assertions, as defined by Tiongson (2016), are ―declarative sentences that claim something is true about something else.
These sentences may either be statements of truths or opinions.

Tiongson’s Types of Assertion

1. Statement of Fact. This is a statement that can be proven objectively by direct experience, testimonies of witnesses, verified
observations, or the results of research.
Example: The sampaguita’s roots are used for medicinal purposes, such as an anesthetic and a sedative. This statement is a fact
because it can be directly verified by experience or reliable research reports.

2. Statement of Opinion. Opinions are based on facts but are difficult to objectively verify because of the uncertainty of producing
satisfactory proofs of soundness.
Example: The popularity of sampaguita flowers is most evident in places of worship. The above statement is an opinion because it is
based on an observation that needs to be proven by studies and repeated observation; there are too many factors involved that
makes explicit judgment difficult.

3. Statement of Convention. A convention is a way in which something is done, similar to traditions and norms. Conventions depend
on historical precedent, laws, rules, usage, and customs.
Example: The sampaguita belongs to the genus Jasminum of the family Oleaceae. This statement is a convention because it is based
on a classification system made up by scientists and is acceptable to the scientific community.

4. Statement of Preference. Preferences are based on personal choice; therefore, they are subjective and cannot be objectively
proven or logically attacked.
Example: Sampaguitas are the most beautiful and most fragrant of all flowers. This statement is a preference because it says a lot
about the type of flowers that the writer likes, instead of objectively comparing the qualities of sampaguitas to that of other flowers.

COUNTERCLAIM

To be an effective critical thinker, it is not enough just to be able to identify claims and assertions. It is also important to
have the ability to analyze an argument and counterclaims. Counterclaims are claims made to rebut a previous claim ( Review
Learning Activity Sheet #5 on Claims). They provide a contrasting perspective to the main argument. Counterclaims – answer the
question; ―What are other credible possibilities?

Example:
Claim: Hybrid cars are an effective strategy to fight pollution.
Counterclaim: Many people believe that hybrid cars are an effective strategy to fight pollution. This view sounds convincing at
first but instead of focusing on cars, which still encourages a culture of driving even if it cuts down on pollution, the nation should
focus on building and encouraging the use of mass transit systems.

Claim: Watching television strengthens the family relationship.

Counterclaim: It might seem as if watching television strengthens family relationship. This view sounds convincing at first but
watching television prevents the talking, the games and the family festivities and arguments through which the child’s learning takes
place.

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III. Activities
A. Practice Task 1: Identify the following assertions as statements of convention, fact, opinion, or preference.

1. Import liberalization means allowing foreign goods to enter Philippine markets and directly compete with domestic products.
2. According to the Minister of Defense, NPA armed insurgents now total sum 16,000 men and women.
3. Roses grow best in soil made of ¾ clay and ¼ sand and loam.
4.The rose belongs to the genus Rosa of the family Rosaceae.
5. The export of cut rose can easily become one of the most lucrative businesses in the Philippines.
6. Many more will die because of political considerations and unwise aid-spending.
7. Roses are more beautiful, smell sweeter and are easier to grow than any other flower.
8. The previous government should have toughened its stand against the burgeoning insurgency.
9. Eyewitness testimony is generally unreliable.
10. Camel’s hair brushes are made of Siberian squirrel fir.

B. Practice Task 2: Read the given claim. Write your counterclaim on your answer sheet based on the given claim.

1. Claim: Tracking devices on phones is a good idea because if you go somewhere your parents will now your whereabouts.
Counterclaim: ______________________________________
2. Claim: You need a total of about 60 minutes of physical activity a day.
Counterclaim: ______________________________________

C. Assessment: Formulate assertions based on the words given in each number. Follow the type of assertion specified in each
word.
1. Martial Law (statement of opinion)
2. Senior High School (statement of preference)
3. extrajudicial killing (statement of opinion)
4. dog (statement of convention)
5. lagundi (statement of fact)

IV. Reflection.
There are tons of information that we access and consume from the Internet, especially social media. How useful is the skill
of formulating assertions and counterclaims in this time?

V. Reference/s
Reading and Writing Skills: Assertions and Counterclaims. Department of Education Alternative Delivery Mode. First Edition, 2020

Prepared by:

KATRIN B. LUTAO
Subject Teacher

Noted:

ELSA E. RABANO RANDY M. TADURAN

Asst. Principal II Asst. Principal II

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