Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Regional Office IX, Zamboanga Peninsula

10 Zest for Progress

Z Peal of artnership

English
Quarter 2 - Module 3:

Opinion and Assertion

Name of Learner: ___________________________

Grade & Section: ___________________________
Name of School: ___________________________
 What I Need to Know

When forming personal convictions, we often interpret factual evidence

through the filter of our values, feelings, tastes, and past experiences. Hence, most
statements we make in speaking and writing are assertions of facts, opinions, beliefs
or prejudice. In your previous grades, you have already gained knowledge about
facts and opinions.

In this module, your ability to assess the reliability and truthfulness of

everything that you read or hear will be reinforced as we go deeper with the topic on
distinguishing opinion from assertion.

This module contains the lesson that will lead you to this skill:

Learning Competency: Formulate a statement of opinion or assertion.

In charting the course of your journey in this module, you are expected to

• distinguish the statement of opinion and assertion;

• formulate statement of opinion and assertion.

What’s In
Read these sentences and answer the questions below.

1. I think eating banana keeps you away from corona virus.

2. Filipinos become cautious with their health during this pandemic.

➢ Which statement can be proven as true or false?

➢ Which statement cannot be proven at all?

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 What’s New

Read the article carefully.

Eighteen more inmates and a jail employee from the Zamboanga City
Reformatory Center tested positive for the coronavirus disease, local officials
reported on Friday.
The provincial task force said the infected patients have been separated
from the other inmates. The facility earlier reported two other COVID-19 cases
involving detainees, including one who passed away on April 20.
Zamboanga City now has 30 cases of COVID-19 and remains under
enhanced community quarantine. (CNN Philippines Staff, May 1, 2020)

Source: CNN Philipiines Staff, Eighteen More Inmates,

A Zamboanga City Jail Employee catch COVID-19,
CNN Philippines, 2020

Study these statements:

1. The article about COVID-19 cases is the worst I’ve read in a while.

2. COVID-19 cases in Zamboanga City are increasing through contact with other
inmates.

What is it
From the article and the given statements above, which is an opinion and
which is a statement of assertion?
If an opinion is a statement that involves the speaker’s emotion and cannot be
proven, then statement 1 is an opinion. It involves the person’s feelings and cannot
be proven in the article. Also, the signal word ‘worst’ gives a hint that it is an opinion.
Statement 2 is an assertion because if we based it in the article, the cases
might be increasing through contact with other inmates but it can be also through
contact with other people who are going to and fro the jail. Therefore, the statement
is somewhat true and somewhat false.

Let us now differentiate opinion from assertion.

If an opinion cannot be proven as true and a fact is true, a
statement that is somewhat true and somewhat false is called assertion.
An assertion may be somewhat similar to opinion (that is, a belief of
someone) but it can be proven as true or false. It is a declaration of the
person’s belief and may be proven as true or false.

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 • Statements of opinion usually start with signal phrases such as I think or I
believe and have words like best, worst, beautiful, outstanding or should.
• Statements of opinion have to do with one’s preferences or emotions.
1. Chocolate ice cream is the best flavor of ice cream sold.
2. Ice cream sundaes should always come with a cherry on top.
3. I think my outlook in life was changed by the pandemic.

• Statements of assertion do not start with a phrase I think or I believe.

• Statements of assertion are considered as declarations, as if they were
true even though they may not be.

1. Doctors are the smartest people on Earth.

2. Milk is good for your body.
3. Taking vitamins everyday makes you healthy and strong.

What’s More
Activity 1: Categorize the statements into OPINION or ASSERTION.
Statements:
• My last summer is the best summer ever
• I think my car payments are too expensive.
• Art lifts a human spirit.
• An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
• The legal age for drinking should be lowered to sixteen.

OPINION ASSERTION

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Activity 2. Connect the statement in the boxes to the categories posted
below.

Stephen Curry seems like New York offers

the new Kobe Bryant in diversified opportunities
NBA. for a person’s career.

I think orange is the People nowadays have

brightest color. become cruel to animals.

Activity 3. Read the article carefully. At the end of this text, statements of
opinion and assertion are provided. Analyze the statements and explain
the reason for classifying them as opinion and assertion respectively.

The government is promoting another way of greeting another person

while ensuring health safety amid the pandemic.
House Resolution No. 408 urges the government to promote placing one’s
palm at the center of the chest together with a slight nod as a customary Filipino
gesture of goodwill. This is more commonly known as “Bating Filipino.”
The resolution was filed by Marikina Rep. Bayani Fernando in July 2019,
and was officially adopted last February 2020.
This intends to replace the usual handshake to reduce transmission of the
virus causing COVID-19.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, people are being reminded to always practice
social distancing since the virus can be passed through droplets coming from an
infected person.
Fernando told CNN Philippines’ News.PH that the new way Filipino
greeting shows sincerity and respect towards another person.
The representative added that government agencies, specifically the
Department of Education, should help in spreading awareness about this.
A video has been circulating online that promotes the use of such greeting.

Source: CNN Philippines Staff, ‘Bating Filipino’,

the New Way of Greeting Another Person
amid the COVID-19 Pandemic, CNN
Philippines, 2020

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Statement of Opinion: "Bating Filipino" is the best solution in preventing COVID 19
cases in the Philippines.

EXPLANATION:__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Statement of Assertion: ‘Bating Filipino’ way of greeting prevents COVID-19 virus

from spreading.

EXPLANATION:__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Activity 4. Formulate your statement of opinion and assertion based from

the article. Give explanation about your statements.
Zamboanga Sibugay province confirmed its first COVID-19 case on
Wednesday.
Zamboanga Sibugay Governor Wilter Palma first reported that the
patient is a student from the town of Imelda, but his office later clarified that the
province’s first case was a worker from Cebu City.
“For the past three months we have no [confirmed] COVID-19 cases. We
remained cautious by tightening our border control and quarantining everyone
entering our province and targeted testing [through] the rapid test, “ Palma said
in a statement.
He said the provincial government, along with the Department of Health
– Region 9 and municipal government will monitor the student and all who have
been in contact with her.
Palma appealed to his constituents for cooperation in preventing further
spread of the disease, asking them to practice minimum health protocols such
as wearing face masks and maintaining physical distance

Source: CNN Philippines Staff, Zamboanga

Sibugay Records First COVID-19 Case,
CNN Philippines, 2020
Statement of Opinion:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
EXPLANATION:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

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Statement of Assertion:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
EXPLANATION:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Rubrics in formulating a statement of opinion or assertion:

Statement 2pts. 1 pt.
Statement • The statement is based on the • The statement is based on the
of Opinion article. article.
• The explanation gives enough • The explanation gives enough
reason why the statement reason why the statement
cannot be proven. cannot be proven.
Statement • The statement is based on the • The statement is based on the
of article. article.
Assertion • The explanation with the words • The explanation with the words
tagged from the article is tagged from the article is not
arguable (meaning it is convincing to be somewhat
somewhat true or false). true or false.

What I Have Learned

Fill in the blanks with the correct answer.
1. An opinion has to do with one’s __________________.
2. An assertion is somewhat ___________ and somewhat ___________.
3. A statement of opinion cannot be proven as ______________.
4. A statement of assertion is considered as ___________.
5. A statement can be an __________ or ______________ depending on how it is
proven.

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 What I Can Do
Write a statement of opinion and a statement of assertion based from the article.

Zamboanga City officials confirmed that an inmate at the City

Reformatory Center who died earlier this week was positive for the coronavirus
disease.
The 47-year old male inmate passed away on April 20 due to “respiratory
failure with underlying pulmonary tuberculosis infections” while at the
Zamboanga Medical Center.
He was earlier tagged as a person under investigation for possible
COVID-19 infection after experiencing shortness of breath, Zamboanga City’s
official twitter account stated. He is the city’s second COVID-19 fatality.
The reformatory center has been on lockdown since March 20. City
officials assured that contact tracing is ongoing and those who have been
exposed to the patient including medical personnel have been isolated.

Source: CNN Philippines Staff, Zamboanga City

Inmate who earlier died, turned out Positve for
COVID-19, CNN Philippines, 2020

Statement of Opinion:
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________

Statement of Assertion:
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________

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 Assessment
A. Mark check ( / ) in the box before the number for statements of assertions and
( X ) for statements of opinion . Do not put anything in the box when the statement
is a fact.

STATEMENTS:

1. My teacher managed to calm my angry classmate by letting her speak her

side. She really knows how to control someone’s temper.

2. I do believe that audio-books are worthwhile reading material.

3. I think Mona Lisa in the painting looks sad.

4. South Korean dramas are the most watched during quarantine period.

5. It seems that Fast and Furious movies are interesting to watch.

6. My mother is very hospitable. She always welcomes other people in the

house with that smile on her face.

7. She leaves a lot of spaces in filling out forms. This proves that she finds
filling in of forms difficult.

B. Formulate a statement of opinion and assertion on COVID 19 pandemic

with explanation. Be guided with the rubrics set in evaluating your crafted
statements.

Statement of Opinion:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Explanation:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Statement of Assertion:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Explanation:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

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 Rubrics in formulating a statement of opinion or assertion:
Statement 2pts. 1 pt.
Statement • The statement is based on • The statement is based on
of Opinion the article. the article.
• The explanation gives • The explanation gives
enough reason why the enough reason why the
statement cannot be proven. statement cannot be proven.
Statement • The statement is based on • The statement is based on
of Assertion the article. the article.
• The explanation with the • The explanation with the
words tagged from the article words tagged from the article
is arguable (meaning it is is not convincing to be
somewhat true or false). somewhat true or false.

C. Supply each sentence with a correct answer. Encircle the letter of your
choice.
1. Which of the signal words are used in giving opinions?

a. I propose and I infer c. I suggest and I intervene

b. I think and I believe d. I create and I make

2. Which of these can prove Assertions?

a. Truth or dare c. Black or white statements

b. Light or dark d. True or false

3. What will you include in expressing opinions?

a. Handwriting c. Background
b. Emotions d. History

4. When you state your assertion, you are also stating your

a. Feelings c. Motivation
b. Declaration d. Accountability

5. Which statement is associated with facts?

a. True c. Somewhat true and somewhat false

b. False d. fabricated

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References
CNN Philippines Staff. “18 More Inmates, A Zamboanga City Jail Employee Catch
COVID-19.” CNN Philippines, May 1, 2020.

CNN Philippines Staff. “Bating Filipino, the New Way of Greeting Another Person
amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.” CNN Philippines, June 23, 2020.

CNN Philippines Staff. “Zamboanga Sibugay Records First COVID-19 Case.” CNN
Philippines, June 24, 2020.

CNN Philippines Staff. “Zamboanga City Inmate Who Earlier Died, Turned Out
Positive for COVID-19.” CNN Philippines, April 25, 2020.

Ramones, Vanessa. “Formulating Assertions.” Last modified August 8, 2018.

www.slideshare.net/VanessaRamones/formulating-assertions

UAEU Debate Society. “Vocabulary 101: Preference – Opinion – Assertion.” Last

modified October 6, 2009. uaeudebate.wordpress.com/2009/10/26/vocabulary-101-
preference-opinion-assertion/

www.quipper.com

Development Team
Writer: Robelyn G. Bangcong
Diplahan National High School
Editor/QA:
Reviewer: Evelyn F. Importante
OIC-CID Chief EPS
Illustrator:
Layout Artist:
Management Team:
Raymond M. Salvador
OIC-Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

Jerry C. Bokingkito
OIC-Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

Dr. Jeanelyn A. Aleman, CESE

OIC-Schools Division Superintendent

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 I Am a Filipino
by Carlos P. Romulo

I am a Filipino–inheritor of a glorious past, hostage to the uncertain future.

As such I must prove equal to a two-fold task–the task of meeting my
responsibility to the past, and the task of performing my obligation to the
future.

I sprung from a hardy race, child many generations removed of ancient Malayan
pioneers. Across the centuries the memory comes rushing back to me: of brown-
skinned men putting out to sea in ships that were as frail as their hearts were stout.
Over the sea I see them come, borne upon the billowing wave and the whistling
wind, carried upon the mighty swell of hope– hope in the free abundance of new land
that was to be their home and their children’s forever.

I am a Filipino. In my blood runs the immortal seed of heroes–seed that flowered

down the centuries in deeds of courage and defiance. In my veins yet pulses the
same hot blood that sent Lapulapu to battle against the first invader of this land, that
nerved Lakandula in the combat against the alien foe, that drove Diego Silang and
Dagohoy into rebellion against the foreign oppressor.

The seed I bear within me is an immortal seed. It is the mark of my manhood, the
symbol of dignity as a human being. Like the seeds that were once buried in the
tomb of Tutankhamen many thousand years ago, it shall grow and flower and bear
fruit again. It is the insignia of my race, and my generation is but a stage in the
unending search of my people for freedom and happiness.

I am a Filipino, child of the marriage of the East and the West. The East, with its
languor and mysticism, its passivity and endurance, was my mother, and my sire
was the West that came thundering across the seas with the Cross and Sword and
the Machine. I am of the East, an eager participant in its spirit, and in its struggles
for liberation from the imperialist yoke. But I also know that the East must awake
from its centuried sleep, shake off the lethargy that has bound his limbs, and start
moving where destiny awaits.

I am a Filipino, and this is my inheritance. What pledge shall I give that I may prove
worthy of my inheritance? I shall give the pledge that has come ringing down the
corridors of the centuries, and it shall be compounded of the joyous cries of my
Malayan forebears when first they saw the contours of this land loom before their
eyes, of the battle cries that have resounded in every field of combat from Mactan to
Tirad Pass, of the voices of my people when they sing:

“I am a Filipino born to freedom, and I shall not rest until freedom shall have been
added unto my inheritance—for myself and my children and my children’s
children—forever.”

(Reprinted from The Philippines Herald, August 16, 1941)

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