READING AND WRITING SKILLS

SECOND SEMESTER, Quarter 4, Week 4-6

What I Need to Know

Learning Competency:

• Formulate evaluative statements about a text read.

(EN11/12RWSIVac-9)
• Assertions about the content and properties of a text read
(EN11/12RWS-IVac-9.1)
• Meaningful counterclaims in response to claims made in a text read
(EN11/12RWS-IVac-9.2)
After going through this module, 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;

What I Know

Direction: Identify the following assertions as statements of

convention, fact, opinion, or preference.
___________1. Social media is defined as the Internet and mobile-based
tools and devices that facilitate the integration of technology,
telecommunications, and social interaction.

___________2. Facebook is a cooler social media platform than Twitter.

___________3. In 2012, there were 1.4 billion users of social media

worldwide.

___________4. Teachers should use social media in their lessons to get

more students interested.

___________5. Another name for social media is ―Web 2.0‖ because

both terms emphasize the social aspects of the Internet as avenues for
communication, collaboration, and creative expression.

___________6. Many teenagers’ present obsession with taking selfies

shows they are the most narcissistic generation.

__________7. Social networks are the most distracting websites on the

internet.

___________8. In the first quarter of 2014, nearly 300 million

smartphone units were sold all over the world.

___________9. Parents ought to enforce stricter guidelines in social

media to safeguard their children’s privacy.

___________10. Children are learning how to operate mobile devices at

increasingly younger ages; many of them have an idea of how to use a
touchscreen tablet before they are two.
 Lesson
1 Formulating Assertions

Activity 1: Instructions: Guess the word based on the pictures /clues

presented.

What Is It
What is an Assertion?
Becoming a good critical reader means that you are able to logically
evaluate the claims of the writer. Assertions become the primary channel
for a reader to assent to a claim.
 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. There are four
common types of assertion enumerated by Tiongson.
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.

What’s More

Activity 2: 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.
Activity 3: 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)

What I Have Learned

Remember!

• An assertion is a statement used to make a declaration or to

express strong belief on a particular topic, often without evidence.
According to Tiongson, it has 4 types: 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.
• Statement of Opinion Opinions are based on facts but are difficult
to objectively verify because of the uncertainty of producing
satisfactory proofs of soundness.
• 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.
• Statement of Preference Preferences are based on personal choice;
therefore, they are subjective and cannot be objectively proven or
logically attacked.

Lesso
n Formulating
2 Counterclaims

What’s New
Activity 4: Solve the puzzle using the definition provided.

What Is It

Activity 5: Read the given claim. Write your counterclaim based on the
given claim.
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.
 1. Claim: Tracking devices on phones is a good idea because if you
go somewhere your parents will now your whereabouts.
Counterclaim: ______________________________________

2. Claim: Being grounded is a good idea depending on what they did.

Counterclaim: ______________________________________

What I Have Learned

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. They provide a contrasting perspective to the main argument.
Counterclaims – answer the question; ―What are other credible possibilities?

What I Can Do

Instructions: Read the speech of Sen. Manny Pacquiao. Apply the

questions above in identifying the claim and counterclaim. Write these
below, followed by a brief explanation.
A FIGHT FOR LIFE
 Sen. Manny Pacquiao's speech at Cambridge Union
President Charles Connor and other esteemed officials of the
Cambridge University; distinguished members of the Cambridge
Union, other dignitaries in attendance, ladies and gentlemen, my
fellow guests, good afternoon.
A famous pastor once said, and I quote, "The world is a
university and everyone in it is a teacher. Make sure when you
wake up in the morning you go to school." End of quote.
Today, I am not just in any obscure part of the global
university. I am deeply honored to be invited by the Cambridge
Union, the oldest debating and free speech society in the world and
the largest student society in the University of Cambridge.
I am not a scientist, a mathematician, or a philosopher. But
you have given me this privilege of addressing you. I am humbled
to be in the midst of brilliant students in this prestigious university
that has educated remarkable alumni, including British Prime
Ministers, foreign Heads of states, monarchs, and royals. It is my
distinct honor to stand before all of you.
I am delighted to learn that one of Cambridge University's
historic colleges is Emmanuel College and that Harvard University,
the first college in the United States, was organized after the model
of Emmanuel.
I have not experienced how it is to pursue a degree like a
regular university student. My circumstances were very different
from yours.
But I did not allow these circumstances to limit me. I worked
on and finally received my degree through the Alternative Learning
System. More importantly, I continue to learn from the University
called life.
So, here is Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao standing in front of
you. I am not here to show off my left hook or my fluid footwork. I
am here because I want to personally share my narrative in the
hope that it will touch even just a few of you and persuade you to
think differently about life.
I was born into poverty. There is a Filipino metaphor that goes
"mas mahirap pa sa daga," which translates to "more destitute
than a rat." From a very young age, I had to struggle daily to
survive. I fought hard, I faltered, I failed many times. But I learned
to rise again each time I fell. Each setback became a platform for a
comeback.
That is what life was like to me as a child. But my hardships
are not uncommon. There are so many others around the world
who have faced even worse. But my hardships taught me one
valuable lesson. Never quit.
If the world knocks you down, get up. If all things conspire against
you, fight back. Quitting is not an option.
I was only 7 years old when I had to take responsibility for
my three siblings who were left under my care because our mother
had to earn a living. I took it upon myself to help her, "Mommy
Dionisia", as she is fondly called by the Filipinos, to earn extra
money so that we can eat even just one decent meal a day.
I was still in elementary school back then. I managed to
attend classes even without sleep and without food. There were
days when it was only water that kept me going. We were so poor
that we could not even afford school supplies; I would use my
pencil even if there was only about an inch long of it left that I could
no longer hold it to write.
I remember when I was in the sixth grade, and my classmates
would flock around me for our mathematics homework because
they knew I was reliable when it came to numbers. I did their math
homework for them, and in exchange they would share their food
with me because they knew I rarely had any.
 Boxing turned my life around. I was only 14 years old when I
left my hometown in Mindanao so that I can train for it in Manila.
My narrative took a turn because of that crucial decision to take a
big step away from my comfort zone.
With the benefit of hindsight, I have realized that it is the
grace of God that transformed me from nothing into something.
My circle became bigger and bigger because of the countless
opportunities that boxing brought about. My victories in the ring
pushed me right into center stage and ushered in fame and fortune.
Opportunities came knocking at my door, one after the other.
I apply the same principles in public service. As a lifelong
learner, I must keep improving myself and I must not stop learning.
That way, I remain relevant to my people and the world that
deserve the best of Manny Pacquiao, inside and outside the ring.
For as long as I exist, I will keep showing up for life. I will continue
to be a learner and always strive to be a teacher by imparting my
hard-earned lessons to others.
Each one of you in this room can change the world. Have
faith, persevere. Find your passion and heed your calling. I urge
you, as the Roman poet Horace did: Carpe Diem -- seize the day.
And above all, FIGHT. Thank you and a pleasant afternoon.

The claim in the text: ______________________________________________________

Reason: __________________________________________________________________
My counterclaim: _________________________________________________________
Reason: ________________________________________________________________

References
http://studentsofenglish.blogspot.com/2004/12/students-of-english10-

mhr1mhu1.html https://prezi.com/nm4ou_jglck5/the-logic-of-assertions/
https://prezi.com/ewf9w9v0fefu/kinds-of-statement-comm2g/

https://link.quipper.com/en/organizations/547ffba0d2b76d0002002
67d/curriculum #curriculum

https://www.slideshare.net/VanessaRamones/formulating-assertions
ttps://www.academia.edu/6361626/ASSERT_YOURSELF_ASSERT_Y

OURSELF
_Module_Four_How_to_Behave_More_Assertively_Assertiveness_Techn iques_

Basic_Assertion https://www.businessbusinessbusiness.com.au/harness-five-
typesassertion-getvoice-heard/

http://rhe306.drw.utexas.edu/sites/rhe306.drw.utexas.edu/files/Wo
rksheet_Claimcounterclaim.pdf