Identifying Assertions customs.

Thus, their truthfulness is verified by how commonly held

Identifying assertions is one of the initial steps in becoming a definitions and beliefs are interpreted.
good critical reader which in turn means that you are able to logically
evaluate the claims of the writer. Any writer would want the reader to Something to note about conventions is that they may sound factual
consider—and possibly agree with—the claims that he or she puts due to their being derived from customs, but because they are socially
forward. In expository writing, assertions become the primary channel accepted ways of doing things, they cannot be verified objectively by
for a reader to assent to a claim. Assertions are declarative sentences measurements.
that claim something is true about something else. Simply put, it is a
sentence that is either true or false. Read the following examples:
The sampaguita belongs to the genus Jasminum of the family
Oleaceae.
1. The sampaguita’s roots are used for medicinal purposes, such as an
This statement is a convention because it is based on a classification
anesthetic and a sedative.
system made up by scientists and is acceptable to the scientific
2. The sampaguita belongs to the genus Jasminum of the community.
family Oleaceae.
3. The popularity of sampaguita flowers is most evident in places of
The third type of assertion is an opinion. Opinions are based on facts,
worship.
but are difficult to objectively verify because of the uncertainty of
4. Sampaguitas are the most beautiful and most fragrant of all flowers.
producing satisfactory proofs of soundness. Opinions result from
There are four common types of assertion, which are classified
ambiguities; the more ambiguous a statement, the more difficult it is to
according to the degree of certainty they can be judged as true or false.
verify. Thus, they are open to disputes.
How would you classify the previous statements?
The popularity of sampaguita flowers is most evident in places of
The first type of assertion is a fact. This is a statement that can be
worship.
proven objectively by direct experience, testimonies of witnesses,
verified observations, or the results of research. Because
statements of fact can be double-checked for accuracy, there is general The above statement is an opinion because it is based on an
agreement about the truth they posit. observation that needs to be proven by studies and repeated
observation; there are too many factors involved that make explicit
judgment difficult.
The sampaguita’s roots are used for medicinal purposes, such as an
anesthetic and a sedative.
The fourth type of assertion is a preference. Preferences are based on
personal choice; therefore, they are subjective and cannot be
This statement is a fact because it can be directly verified by
objectively proven or logically attacked.
experience or reliable research reports. Spotting a statement of fact is
vital in identifying assertions.
Sampaguitas are the most beautiful and most fragrant of all flowers.
The second type is an assertion of the convention. A convention is a
way in which something is done, similar to traditions and norms. This statement is a preference because it says a lot about the type of
Conventions depend on historical precedents, laws, rules, usage, and flowers that the writer likes, instead of objectively comparing the
qualities of sampaguitas to that of other flowers.