Lesson 1: Formulating Assertions

Assertion - the act of asserting or something that is asserted: such as an insistent and positive
affirming, maintaining, or defending (as of a right or attribute)

- When someone makes a statement investing his strong belief in it, as if it is true, though it
may not be, he is making an assertion.

- A stylistic approach or technique involving a strong declaration, a forceful or confident and

positive statement regarding a belief or a fact.

Types of Assertion:

1. Basic Assertion

It is simple and straightforward 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.”

2. Emphatic Assertion

It conveys sympathy to someone, and usually has two parts: the first encompasses 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 right 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.”

3. Escalating Assertion
It occurs when someone is not able to give a response to a person’s basic assertion, and
therefore that person becomes firm about him of her such as:

“When you speak harshly, I cannot work with you because I feel annoyed. Therefore, I want
you to speak nicely and then assign me a task.”

“When I don’t get enough sleep, it affects my nerves and I feel irritated. Therefore, I try to go
to bed earlier.

Examples of Assertion in Literature

1. Animal Farm (By George Orwell)

In Animal Farm, pigs make use of assertion as a tool for making propaganda in the entire
novel. This is to weaken the position of the other animals, preventing contradiction with their
rules and leadership. In chapter seven, Squeler informs other animals that they need not sing
the original anthem of the Old Major, Beasts of

England – a song they used to inspire the revolution in chapter 1. Squeler asserts, saying:

“It’s no longer needed, comrade.. Beasts if England we expressed our longing for a better
society has now been established. Clearly this song has no longer any purpose.”

Look at his language where he gives them information that is obvious, which they have
realized already, and no one can make arguments against it. Thus, no one argued against his
assertion.

2. Pride and Prejudice (By Jane Austen)

Elizabeth conceals her surprise at the news of Darcy’s plan to marry her. When Lady
Catherine objects to this marriage, as Bennets have low connections and their marriage would
ruin Darcy’s position before his friends and society, Elizabeth attempts to defend her family
background by asserting:

“ I am a gentleman’s daughter”.

In fact, she sets herself free from the exasperating control of snobs like Miss Bingley, Mr.
Collins, and Lady Catherine, and declares: “I am … resolved.”

3. Othello (By William Shakespeare)

Desdemona: “I never did offend you in my life, never loved Cassio. But with such general
warranty of heaven, as might love. I never gave him token.”

In these lines, Desdemona makes a dying assertion that she is innocent, denying Othello’s
accusations. However, blinded by emotion and furious, Othello is resolved to kill her.

Functions of Assertion

The function of assertion is to let readers to feel 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 idea in a direct way.

By using this technique, writers can defend other’s feelings and rights if violated.

Let’s Do This

Writing Activity. Instructions: Compose at least 3-paragraph assertion on Emma Watson’s

Speech on Gender Equality at the UN. Highlight an assertion about the content, the claims
in her speech, and the properties of a well-written text.

To be written in a one whole sheet of yellow paper.

"I was appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women 6 months ago. The more I spoke
about feminism, the more I realized that fighting for women’s rights has too often become
synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain is that this has to stop.
For the record, feminism by definition is the belief that men and women should have equal
rights and opportunities. It is the theory of political, economic and social equality of the
sexes.

When I was 8, I was called bossy because I wanted to direct a play we would put on for our
parents. When at 14, I started to be sexualized by certain elements of the media. At 15, my
girlfriends started dropping out of sports teams because they didn’t want to appear masculine.
At 18, my male friends were unable to express their feelings. I decided that I was a feminist.
This seemed uncomplicated to me. But my recent research has shown me that feminism has
become an unpopular word. Women are choosing not to identify as feminists. Apparently,
[women’s expression is] seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating, and anti-men,
unattractive even…

Men, I would like to give this opportunity to extend your formal invitation. Gender equality
is your issue, too. Because to date, I’ve seen my father’s role as a parent being valued less by
society. I’ve seen young men suffering from mental illness, unable to ask for help for fear it
would make them less of a man. In fact, in the UK, suicide is the biggest killer of men
between 20 to 49, eclipsing road accidents, cancer, and heart disease. I’ve seen men fragile
and insecure by what constitutes male success. Men don’t have the benefits of equality,
either... If you believe in equality, you might be one of the inadvertent feminists I spoke of
earlier and for this I applaud you. We must strive for a united world but the good news is we
have a platform. It is called HeForShe. I invite you to step forward, to be seen and I ask
yourself: if not me, who? If not now, when?

Thank you."

Rubric for Grading

Criteria Poor (3 points) Fair (7 points) Good (10 points)

Prompt Prompt was not Prompt was mostly Prompt was clearly
understood understood and understood and all the
addressed aspects of the prompt
were addressed.

Argument Argument is weak or Argument is not as Clearly defended,

flawed. No strong as a good challenged or qualified
consideration of the response. Evidence is with appropriate and
claim. not as convincing as a convincing evidence.
higher response.
Arrangemen Little or no thought is An attempt is made to Stylistic elements are
t and Style given to arrangement incorporate stylistic used to create a more
and/or there are no elements and/or some convincing argument.
stylistic element is thought is given to the Thought is given to the
used. arrangement somewhat arrangement of the
adds to the overall argument and the
effectiveness of the arrangement adds to
argument. the overall
effectiveness of the
argument.