READING AND WRITING SKILLS

QUARTER 4 – MODULE 4
DETERMINING TEXTUAL EVIDENCES TOVALIDATE ASSERTIONS
MARILOU T. RECAMARA

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: This module exposes students on how to develop their writing ability
through determining textual evidence to validate assertions and counterclaim made about a text.
The learner will be able to understand the relationship of a written text and the context in which
it was developed. At the end of this module, the learner must be to write a critique of a selected
text based on its claim/s, context, and properties as a written material.

LESSON PROPER

TEXTUAL EVIDENCE defined as the details given by the author in order to support his/her
claim. It reveals the position of the writer and makes the reading more interesting. Evidences are
details that strengthen, add variety or weight to any argument.

READ THE POEM, HARLEM BY LANGSTON HUGHES AND ANSWER THE FOLLOWING GUIDE
QUESTIONS.

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore ---- And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
SOURCE: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46548/harlem)

Guide Questions:

1. What does the word “deferred” mean?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. How is the dream compared to a raisin? Rotten meat? And heavy load?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. What are the authors’ descriptions of a dream deferred?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4. Based on the poem, what happens when you don’t go after your dreams and you defer them at
a later time?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5. If you were the author, how would you feel upon writing the poem?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
6. Do you agree with the author’s idea that a dream deferred stinks like a rotten meat? Why?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
 LET’S TAKE THIS PARAGRAPH AS A SAMPLE ESSAY ABOUT THE POEM:

Harlem by Langston Hughes gives me the feeling, or mood of anger and depression. It feels like
the idea of deferring dreams is hurtful and maybe even causes one to become resentful before
eventually being overcome by anger. I know this because the poem uses the words “foster like a
sore,” which gives me a feeling of pain. Further, describing deferred dreams as if they “stink like
rotten meat” is an unpleasant image, giving me the feeling of resentment. Finally, when the poem
end with “Or does it explode?” makes me think of a person who boils over in anger.

Here, the author claimed that the poem gives him the feeling of anger and depression. He uses
exact words from the poem like foster like a sore, stink like rotten meat, or does it explode which
are directly relevant to his idea of anger and depression. Thus, we can say that the writer’s claim
in this essay is valid and relevant.

In addition, finding textual evidence on a read text helps you make inferences using concrete
evidences on your claim. To support one’s claim, you should explicitly cite the ideas that support
your claim in your writings.

There are different ways on how you can present textual evidence in your writings. It can be
through paraphrasing or restating the text in your own words, through summarizing or stating
in a shorter way the text and other relevant details to support the idea, through referencing or
mentioning a specific section in the text, and through quoting or directly restating a part of the
text.

WAYS OF EXAMPLES OF CLAIM WITH TEXTUAL EVIDENCE

PRESETATION
In the poem Harlem, the author claimed that a person may feel
disappointed when dream deferred for he questioned the reader’s
Paraphrasing feeling about withholding dreams. (What happens to a dream
deferred?)
The movie Seven Sundays (2017) is a heart-warming story and
shows the importance of family in our lives. The movie tells about
the Bonifacio siblings who were reunited because of their father who
Summarizing was mistakenly diagnosed with cancer. It presented the different
struggles of their lives and how they were able to overcome them.
The Department of Education ensures the delivery of quality
education and safety of the learners in the opening of classes for
Referencing this school year amidst COVID 19 as stated in the Deped Order no.7
s. 2020 on DepEd 10 School Calendar and Activities for S.Y. 2020-
2021 paragraph 2 and 3.
Langston Hughes described deferred dreams as if they “stink like
rotten meat” in his poem which suggest an unpleasant image, giving
Quoting me the feeling of resentment. He also ends the poem with the line
“Or does it explode?” that made me think of a person who boils over
in anger.

ANALYSIS
Remember that textual evidences validate and strengthen your writings, showing that you
read and understand a text.
A. Express your claim or counterclaim on the following topics below and explain your answers.
1. Black Lives Matter
Claim/Counterclaim:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Reasons behind your opinion:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Anti-Terrorism Bill

Claim/Counterclaim:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Reasons behind your opinion
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Distribution of cash aid under the Social Amelioration Program in the Philippines

Claim/Counterclaim:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Reasons behind your opinion:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

B. Read the text below. Identify the assertion made by the author and the textual evidences used
to strengthen his argument. WRITE YOUR ANSWERS ON THE TABLE PROVIDED.

It is commonplace to say that nationalism is one of the most potent factors in the cultural
development of a people. Love of one’s own is essential in the equipment of all truly civilized
human beings; it is the only safe and sensible basis for the appreciation of things that pertain to
others. Only those who truly love their own country and people – their tradition, history and
destiny – can develop sincere interest in, and admiration for, the tradition, history, and destiny
of other countries peoples. Only they can become genuine cosmopolites, or “citizens of the
world”. -S.P. Lopez, “Return to the Primitive” Source: Marella Therese A. Tiongson and Maxine
Rafaella C. Rodriguez, Reading and Writing Skills Quezon City: Rex Publishing Inc, 2016, p.63.

ASSERTION/CLAIM TEXTUAL EVIDENCE

EVALUATION
A. Identify the word/s that best described the following statements. Choose your answer on the
word pool. You may write your answer in the blank provided.
Explicit Textual evidence
Implicit Inference Argument

___________1. It is stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt.
___________2. It means implied or indirect.
___________3. It means drawing a conclusion on the basis of circumstantial evidence.
___________4. It is defined as the details given by the author in order to support his/her claim.
___________5. This is a statement or series of statements for or against something.

B. Analyze the paragraph and answer the following questions. ENCIRCLE THE CORRECT
ANSWER

After work, Domeng takes off his muddy boots at the doorstep. Ditas would check if the boots
were placed on its rack. He then places his soiled clothes in the laundry basket and places his
toolbox in the cabinet. She tells him to freshen up before eating dinner. Then, Domeng goes
straight to the shower. Ditas sets the table while waiting for him, and dines with him afterwards.
6. What type of work does Domeng do?
A. a lawyer B. a doctor C. a garbage collector D. a construction worker

7. Based on the text, how do you know Paul works in construction?

A. He has tools.
B. He wears a hat.
C. He goes to shower upon coming home.
D. His boots are muddy, and his clothes are soiled.

8. What type of person is Alice?

A. Carefree and calm C. Messy and sloppy
B. Sad and angry D. Meticulous and organized

9. What type of relationship do Domeng and Ditas have?

A. They are colleagues B. They are neighbors
C. They are brother and sister D. They are husband and wife

C. Analyze each argument below and coose the correct letter of your answer.

10. Argument: School uniforms are very beneficial in schools today. Which would be a claim for
this argument?
A. Uniforms in schools increase student safety.
B. Uniforms do not allow students to express their individuality.
C. Bullying and attacks are not stopped just because of uniforms.

11. Argument: Milk is very healthy for the human body. Which could be a counterclaim for this
argument?
A. Milk helps to strengthen bones.
B. Drinking milk contributes to obesity.
C. Milk provides many healthy vitamins and minerals for the body.

12. Argument: Cell phone radiation is harmful to people. Which would be a claim for this
argument?
A. Cell phone radiation is not powerful enough to cause cancer.
B. There are regulations and limits on how much radiation is allowed in cell phones.
C. Studies show that there is a correlation between cell phone radiation and brain tumors.

13. Argument: There are several disadvantages to social media. Which would be a counterclaim
for this argument?
A. Social media is not private or secure.
B. Social media spreads false information.
C. Social media allows news to be broadcasted quickly.

14. Argument: There are several disadvantages to social media. Which would be a claim for this
argument?
A. Social media allows police to catch criminals.
B. Social media helps students do better in school.
C. Students who use social media often have lower grades.

15. Argument: College athletes should be paid. Which would be a claim for this argument?
A. College athletes are not professionals; they are just playing at an advanced level.
B. College athletes bring in money for the college because people pay to come watch them
play.
C. College athletes would have to pay taxes and likely not be able to afford tuition
expenses if they were paid.