MODULE 6.

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ASSERTIONS AND COUNTERCLAIMS

YOUR OBJECTIVE
☐ Evaluate statements about a text read:
a. assertions about the content and properties of a text read; and
b. counterclaims in response to claims made in a text read

MAKE A CHOICE?
DIRECTIONS: You will be given two options. Think carefully and pick aside. After picking
a side be ready to speak your mind.

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learning for real

BE SURE TO REMEMBER
ASSERTIONS
“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. Its purpose is to express ideas or feelings directly...”

Types of Assertion
Basic Assertion
It is a simple statement for expressing feelings, opinions, and beliefs such as:
 “I wish I could have expressed this idea earlier because now someone else has
taken the credit.”
 “Excuse me, first I want to finish my work, then I shall go with you.”

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This module is exclusive to Mother Theresa Colegio Group of Schools students only.
Emphatic Assertion
It conveys sympathy to someone, and usually has two parts: the first encompasses
the recognition of the feelings or situations of the other person, and the second is a
statement that shows support for the other person’s viewpoint, feelings, or rights such as:
 “I understand you are busy, and me too, but it is difficult for me to finish this
project on my own. So, I want you to help me complete this project.”
 “I know this is making you angry and frustrated because you have not gotten a
response yet. But I can help you by giving you an estimate of how long it might
take.”

Escalating Assertion
It occurs when someone is not able to give a response to a person’s basic assertions,
and therefore that person becomes firm about him or her such as:
 “If you do not finish this work by 6:00 tonight, I will engage the services of another
worker.”
 “I really want to finish this point before you start yours.”

Functions of Assertion
 let readers feel that they should not disagree or dispute what they read or hear;
rather, they should accept the idea or notion as an indisputable fact.
 It has proved to be one of the best approaches for writers to express their
personal feelings, beliefs, and ideas directly.
 By using this technique, writers can defend others’ feelings and rights if
violated.

How To:
A is for "Assertion": Make an assertion by discussing, judging, and deciding an opinion on
an aspect of any text.

R is for "Reason": Find a reason that strongly supports the assertion.

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E is for "Evidence": Find three pieces of evidence from the text that directly supports the
reason.

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Read more:
Assertion - Examples And Definition Of Assertion. (2015, May 7). Literary Devices.
https://literarydevices.net/assertion/#:~:text=The%20function%20of%20assertion%20is,ideas%2
0in%20a%20direct%20way.
How To Teach Making Assertions About Text To 6th Graders | Synonym. (n.d.). How to Teach
Making Assertions About Text to 6th Graders | Synonym. https://classroom.synonym.com/teach-
making- assertions-text-6th-graders-12299434.html.

COLLABORATIVE WORK
DIRECTIONS: As a group evaluate the text provided to you. Locate the assertion,
reasons, and pieces of evidence.
The American dream, one of freedom and equality, is cherished in the heart of every
citizen of the United States. With this dream in mind, most of society will say they support
equal rights for homosexuals. Ask these members of society if they support gay marriage,
however, and the support of gay equality comes to a screeching halt. As seen in the most
recently debated public votes, the majority of Americans voted for the Constitutional
Amendment, which bans gay marriage. All of these Americans, ironically, do believe in
providing equal rights to the gay community, rights including no toleration of
discrimination in jobs by creating equal opportunity employers, rights protecting gays
from hate crimes, rights allowing same access to housing, rights allowing advancement in
government, and

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so on. However, the concept of gay marriage is still not considered a right the American
people should extend to homosexuals.
Read the whole essay here: Same-Sex - Marriage.pdf. (n.d.). Google Docs.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CKlVq3stAB2HeFWVvZeYhYJTAF2if1Yp/view.sharing

TEST YOURSELF
RED PILL OR BLUE PILL
DIRECTIONS: Analyze the following items carefully and label the red pill or blue pill.
Draw RED PILL if the statement is TRUE and BLUE PILL if the statement is FALSE. (1 point
each)
1. Assertion is a confident declaration of one’s opinion or feelings, sometimes delivered
without ready evidence.

2. Since assertion is a declaration of one’s opinion it does not require factual evidence.

3. Assertion is a great technique/tool designed for timid and non-confrontational people.

4. One of the functions of assertion is to encourage the readers to digest the undeniable
fact that stands beside an opinion they are not in favor of.

5. Assertion will be stronger if you will be able to provide your rationality behind it.

WHICH IS IT?
DIRECTIONS: Analyze the scenario and label, accordingly. Basic Assertion, Emphatic
Assertion, Escalating Assertion. (1 point each)
1. During their messenger meeting, Tala burst her emotion saying: “Alam ko naman
madami kayong gawaing bahay, gets ko naman yun, pero collaborative work ‘to,
kaya kailangan ko ang cooperation nyo.”

2. After months of their break-up, Basha imposed her feelings to Popoy: “Ako yung
problema, kasi nasasaktan ako kahit hindi naman ako dapat nasasaktan. Sana kaya
kong tiisin lahat ng sakit na nararamdaman ko, kasi ako yung humiling nito diba?
Ako yung may gusto. Sana kaya kong sabihin sayo na masaya ko para sayo, para
sainyo. Sana kaya ko… ““Sana ako pa rin… ako na lang… ako na lang ulit.”

3. In their group work session, one student from Section –Makabayan cried while
saying, “Umayus na kasi kayo, magpasa na kayo ng parts nyo, o ipapasa na namin
to, bahala na kayo, kayo na magpasa nyan kay Coach.”

4. Manuel being a straight man firmly argued that he is anti-same sex marriage. His
very words are, “Basta ang babae ay para sa lalaki lang, at ang lalaki ay para sa
babae lang. Kung hindi mo yung naiintindihan, masahol ka pa sa…”
(This item is a remake of an actual event that had been a controversy all around
the Philippines in the past. The statement was released by a politician)
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This module is exclusive to Mother Theresa Colegio Group of Schools students only.
 5. Coach Maria reiterated the due process of earning grades to her student. The
scenario went, “Alam kong anxious ka, at natatakot sa magulang mo, pero you
have to understand na wala rin naman akong mairerecord na grades for you dahil
hindi ka pumapasok at hindi ka nagco-comply sa mga activities. Ang magagwa ko
lang ay hintayin kang matapos lahat ng activities natin, kahit late tatanggapin ko
para magka-grades ka. Okay ba yun?”

JOURNAL ENTRY 6.1

LET US REFLECT!
DIRECTIONS: Reflect on what you have learned after taking up this lesson by completing
the chart below.
I thought …

I learned …

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This module is exclusive to Mother Theresa Colegio Group of Schools students only.