Senior High School

Reading and Writing

Quarter 4: Module 3 - Lesson 1
Taking A Stand With You

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Reading and Writing – Senior High School
Module 3 – Lesson 1: Taking A Stand With You
First Edition, 2020

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 MODULE 3 – LESSON 1

Taking A Stand With You

Hey dude! Let me take you to another learning journey!

As a critical reader, you don’t easily believe in what you read. While reading, different
thoughts might be popping out of your minds, and different questions are forming in reaction
to the ideas presented in the text. You sometimes openly accept the ideas because you are
in the same line of thinking with the author, but there are times that you disagree and question
the truthfulness of information and the way they are presented. This is where you start to
become evaluative of the works of others.

So buckle up, stay focused, and enjoy learning!

After working on with this module, you are expected to:

✓ define assertion
✓ identify types and focus of assertions
✓ formulate assertions.

Study the meaning of the following key words that you will encounter in this
module.

1. Assertion - Positive statement or the act of asserting

2. Evaluate - To determine or assess the value of

3. Emphatic - Forceful, Definite

4. Preference - Choice, Liking

I bet you are now ready to take this learning journey with me! Come on!

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Check me out first!
The following are statements about assertions. Check the ones which you think are
correct and cross out those that are incorrect. Provide a separate sheet of paper for your
answer.

_____ 1. Assertion is defined as a statement that claims that something is true.

_____ 2. Assertions may be both factual and opinionated.

_____ 3. One purpose of assertion is to make a critical reader agree with the author’s claim.

_____ 4. Assertions can be classified into assertions of fact, convention, policy, and value.

_____ 5. The writer’s assertions are focused on content of the text only.

Did you get any correct answer? If so, congratulations for you did know
something already. If you did not score well, the succeeding texts and tasks will help
you learn about assertions. Good luck on your journey!

Evaluative statements are statements that aim to explain the strengths and
weaknesses of something through writing. It means presenting your judgement about what
you read in writing. Being a critical reader you always react to what are presented on texts
and the way they are presented which will lead you to either appreciate the author’s works
and make assertions or criticize his works and formulate counterclaims.

What is Assertion?

An assertion is a statement or declaration made regarding an idea, a topic, or an issue.

It expresses a person’s opinion, feelings, or belief. As defined by Tiongson (2016), assertions
are “declarative sentences that claim something is true about something else”. It is a way to
convince a critical reader to accept the writer’s claim. These sentences may either be
statements of truths or opinions.

Writers often make assertions to convey their message or their stand on an issue. They
frame their arguments as assertions so that the statements are strong and convincing to their
readers. In this lesson the focus will be assertions as evaluative statements to show how one
feels toward the works of others. It can be about the content and organization of the text read.

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  Read the following texts to better understand what an assertion is.
How to Make History Dates Stick (An Excerpt)
By Mark Twain

Dates are difficult things to acquire; and after they are

acquired it is difficult to keep them in the head. But they are very
valuable. They are like the cattle-pens of a ranch—they shut in the
several brands of historical cattle, each within its own fence, and
keep them from getting mixed together. Dates are hard to
remember because they consist of figures; figures are
monotonously unstriking in appearance, and they don’t take hold,
they form no pictures, and so they give the eye no chance to help.
Pictures are the thing. Pictures can make dates stick. They can
make nearly anything stick—particularly IF YOU MAKE THE
PICTURES YOURSELF. Indeed, that is the great point—make the
pictures YOURSELF. I know about this from experience. Thirty
years ago I was delivering a memorized lecture every night, and
every night I had to help myself with a page of notes to keep from
getting myself mixed. The notes consisted of beginnings of
sentences, and were eleven in number, and they ran something
like this: “IN THAT REGION THE WEATHER—” “AT THAT TIME
IT WAS A CUSTOM—” “BUT IN CALIFORNIA ONE NEVER
HEARD—”

Given the title and the clause “IF YOU MAKE THE PICTURES YOURSELF” as clues,
the main idea that Twain wants to convey is that one can remember history dates better
through pictures. In response to Mark Twain’s essay, note how the writer agrees with its
content, and writes his assertion as shown in this text.

It is true: History dates escape us. We acquire them only to lose them right after.
In Mark Twain’s essay “How to Make History Dates Stick,” he suggests that we use
pictures to remember the dates. Says he: “Pictures can make dates stick. They can make
nearly anything stick— particularly IF YOU MAKE THE PICTURES YOURSELF. Indeed,
that is the great point—make the pictures YOURSELF. I know about this from experience.”
To some extent, I agree that pictures let us remember more, including dates.

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  There are so many ways assertions could be made. The following are some
types you can start with in writing your own assertions of a text read.

Basic assertion

This is a simple and direct expression of one’s opinion, feelings, or belief.

Example:

I really enjoyed reading the article. It contains a lot of information

yet it is not tiring to read. The language used is very simple that one can
understand the content even without consulting a dictionary.

Emphatic assertion

This shows sympathy to another person. It is an acknowledgment of the other

person’s feelings or situation and at the same time a show of support to the rights of the
person.

Example:

As I read the article “Sex Education: Does It Matter” by Jade

Roxanne R. Lo stating the inappropriateness of sex education in
elementary, I was filled with same worries. I also fear how the pupils would
react during the discussions considering their very imaginative and curious
minds. I share the same apprehensions with the author and as a mother,
I believe that it is still best that sex education remains to be family matter
until such time that these young children become more ready to take the
subject responsibly.

Positive assertion

This expresses positive feelings or emotions. To make this assertion, one gives a
reason or an explanation for feeling good.

Example:

I am pleased that the author chose to end the story with a dramatic
twist to the protagonist’s decision to leave the country. Otherwise, the
exciting story line would have had an anticlimactic ending.

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 Preference

Preference relies on personal choice. These are completely subjective assertions

that cannot be objectively proven.

Example:

One good thing that catches me is the use of similes and metaphors
in this article. It is really nice when an author illustrates concepts using
comparisons of different things. I am amazed of how imaginative he is.
The comparison really helped me understand the idea better.

Did you find the above information useful? Try to accomplish the following
tasks to see how much you have learned.

Practice Task 1. Make the right choice!

Read each item and choose the correct answer. Write your answers on a separate
sheet of paper.

_____ 1. This type of assertion expresses personal choice of the writer.

a. Preference b. Emphatic c. Basic d. Positive

_____ 2. Which DOES NOT characterize assertion?

a. It can be based on facts.

b. It can be based on one’s opinion.

c. It seeks to explain the author’s argument.

d. It aims to convince the readers to accept the author’s claim.

_____ 3. The following are types of assertions EXCEPT _____________.

a. positive assertion c. assertion of preference

b. emphatic assertion d. assertion of expression
_____ 4. Assertions may focus on the _________________.

a. content and properties of text

b. print and readability of text
c. writer’s personal biases
d. author’s educational attainment

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_____ 5. Which shows a definition of assertion?

a. Assertion supports the ideas of the author.

b. Assertions are statement of facts and opinions combined.
c. Assertions are used to make statements strong and convincing.
d. Assertions are declarative statements made to convince readers to agree with the
author’s claim.

Nice try, folks! Here’s another one for you to answer.

Practice Task 2: Which One to Save?

Suppose you are to make assertions about the given topic below, which among the
following texts can you use to support your assertions. SAVE the ones that can be usefel to
you and DELETE those that are not needed. Write your answers on a separate sheet.

Online education offers more

opportunities to Filipino learners

_______________ 1. For younger school children who previously didn’t use the internet for
school project, the adjustment to using the internet all the time is not always easy. They lack
the training and skills to properly use the multiple different forms of software that they are now
supposed to use to continue their education during the crisis.

_______________ 2. An online classroom allows anyone, anywhere, anytime the opportunity

to participate, without pressure from limited time or public speaking in front of a group.

_______________ 3. [However], Suyat believes that distance learning through online

education is helping a lot to bridge the learning gap being experienced especially during this
time of national emergency.

_______________ 4. “It’s useful now considering we have nothing to do at home without

classes. The assignment or quizzes keep us busy and I still feel productive at the end of the
day.”

_______________ 5. Nonetheless, she emphasizes that it does not make teaching virtually
easier. “They are still having difficulties when it comes to stable internet connection and
electricity.”

She raises the issue of the limitations of synchronous and asynchronous classes and
openly admits that, just like her students, she too is adjusting with this new way of teaching.
“It is difficult to see the faces of each other,” adds Camille. “It makes it hard, if not impossible
to read non-verbal cues and reactions”

Were you able to get a passing grade for this task? Go check your
own answer, and try answering the next activity for mastery.

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Practice Task 3. More on Assertions!
Read and answer each of the following questions carefully. Write your answers on a
separate sheet of paper.

_____ 1. Which of the following statements illustrate an assertion?

a. I agree with the author that it is really best to review things when you wake up as
your mind is still fresh from sleeping.
b. The title of the story is “Making Memories Out Of Nothing”
c. It was not able to establish its purpose even after the ending.
d. I finished reading the article in no time at all.

_____ 2. What type of assertion is shown in this text?

The time I read the opening statement of the author about “the unconditional love
of a mother”, I can’t stop but utter “Talaga, it’s true”, and I already become teary-eyed even
without having read the entire article. It is one of the best as it talks about love that only
mothers could give—a topic that I’ve always loved.

a. basic assertion c. positive assertion

b. assertion of preference d. emphatic assertion

_____ 3. The following assertions have same focus EXCEPT

a. The emotively suppotive face-to-face environment of the classroom allows

immediate feedback, and an immediate social environment.
b. Indeed, students of all ages in the country are adjusting to the abrupt changes in
the education setting.
c. Students and teachers alike face the problems of internet connection especially
in the most remote areas.
d. Online learning offers a great opportunity to keep up with global education.

_____ 4. Choose the statement that focuses on the content of a text read.
a. It is not surprising that online businesses will flourish during the pandemic. With so
many people locked in their homes, there is no other way they can do but to rely on
online sellers for their basic necessities delivered right on their doors.
b. The article seemed to be written for the elite readers. The words couldn’t just sink
into my brains easily.
c. The author has made his points significantly highlighted yet in a very simple,
straightforward manner.
d. The sample-definition organization of his texts made me realize that providing many
samples is really helpful to understand a concept.

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 Read this text and answer questions 5-7

In the article “Chemical weapons”, I was caught by the writer’s simplicity of words
especially when he said “the signers of that treaty agreed not to use chemical weapons.
They didn’t promise not to produce them. Perhaps the time has come for world leaders
to rewrite the original treaty.” The point, I think, is stated very clearly for every reader to
get it easily.

What is the focus of writer’s assertion?

___________________________________________________________________

What type of assertion did the writer use?

___________________________________________________________________

What do you think is the author’s claim in the text to which the assertion is based?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Study this text to answer questions 8-10

The BIR issued Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 60-2020 on

June 1 requiring online sellers to register their businesses on or before July 31 so
they can finally take part in the government’s tax collection program.
An excerpt from “Taxing online business”
By Czarina Nicole Ong Ki, Jun Ramirez, and Ben Rosario
Manila Bulletin, June 14, 2020
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/06/14/taxing-online-business/

Does the text illustrate assertion of a text read? Support your answer.

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

What do you think will be the claim if it is presented in an argumentative text?

___________________________________________________________________

What will be the gains of the government when online businesses are taxed? Try writing your
assertion here.

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Did you perform well in the task? You are now ready to take the final test.

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Your Final Test!
How far have you learned? Let’s see how well you’ve digested the lesson in this module.
Read each item and choose the correct answer. Write your answers on your answer sheets.
1. Which statement gives a definition of assertion?

a. Assertions make statements strong and convincing.

b. Assertions are statements related to the ideas of the author.
c. Assertions are combinations of statements of facts and opinions.
d. Assertions are declarative statements presented to convince readers to agree
with the author’s claim.

2. This type of assertion expresses personal choice of the writer.

a. Preference b. Emphatic c. Basic d. Positive

3. Which IS NOT TRUE about assertion?

a. It can be based on facts.
b. It can be based on one’s opinion.
c. It seeks to explain the author’s argument.
d. It aims to convince the readers to accept the author’s claim.

4. The focus of one’s assertions may be _________________.

a. the content and properties of text

b. print and readability of text
c. the writer’s personal biases
d. the author’s academic achievement

5. An assertion that acknowledges and sympathizes with the author’s feelings is a/an
________________.
a. basic assertion c. assertion of preference
b. emphatic assertion d. initial assertion

6. Which of the following statements could not be part of an assertion?

a. The piece was timely written.

b. I agree with the author when he says that knowing how to be quiet in times of dispute is a
virtue.
c. It is contradictory of the Filipinos being hospitable to have a visitor spend for his own
food.
d. The author is very careful in presenting both the pros and cons of the situation that I
believe everyone who reads this article would agree with him.

7. Basic assertion is __________________________.

a. an idea to support the claim of the writer

b. an a statement focusing on the weaknesses of the author

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 c. an expression of sympathy to the author of the text read.
d. a simple and direct expression of the writer’s opinion, feelings, or belief

Read this text to answer questions 8-10

In one of the texts I’ve read about Facebook use, it was mentioned that posts of
people about their achievements, leisure activities, and other enjoyment tend to make other
people to envy them. And I agree with it. It is as if only those who can afford to display
something extraordinary have a special place in FB to get a number of likes. Posts of what
they bought, what they received, what they ate, where they went, and everything. These
make me feel not so lucky. I can’t say anything more but utter with a sigh--“Mabuti pa sila!”

1. What type of assertion is shown in this text?

a. a. basic assertion c. positive assertion

b. b. assertion of preference d. emphatic assertion

2. What is the focus of writer’s assertion?

a. content of the text c. properties of the text
b. author’s biases d. author’s credibility

3. What do you think is the author’s claim in the text read to which the writer’s assertion is
based?

a. Facebook is user-friendly.
b. Facebook is a good venue to solicit help.
c. Posts on Facebook cause people to be envious of others.
d. Posts on Facebook inspire people to strive to succeed like others.

Check your answer. Please refer to the answer key on

page. If you got a score of 8-10, you can now take the learning
challenge on the next page. If you got a score of 7 and below,
please go back to where you perform low, review, and try taking
the test again.

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Search And Define Me!

Write your answer inside the box.

Search for other definitions of assertions and based on the different concepts
presented, define assertion in your own words and give an example. Make sure to
cite your sources.

Time for writing! This space is for your answers to the challenge.

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Nice work! You are able to practice what you learned!

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 It’s nice to remember the main points for this module.
Keep them in mind!

Assertion is an evaluative statement that stresses the good points in a written

works of other authors. It may focus on the content and/or properties of the material
read such language and organization.

Assertion aims to let readers feel that they should not agree or dispute what
they read or hear. It is an approach for writers to express their personal feelings,
beliefs, and ideas in a direct way.

Basic assertion, emphatic, positive, and preference are some types of

assertion.
Congratulations! You are now ready to take the next journey!

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References

Belino, M. Critical Reading as reasoning. Retrieved from

https://www.slideshare.net/mobilemarykatrinebelino/critical-reading-as-reasoning-
78474306 on June 20, 2020

Huang, S. Formulating Assertions and Counterclaims. Retrieved from

https://www.scribd.com/presentation/433631315/Formulating-Assertions-and-
Counterclaims on June 18, 2020

Ki, C.N.O, Ramirez,J., & Rosario, B. (2020). Taxing Online Business. Manila Bulletin. June
14, 2020. Retrieved from https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/06/14/taxing-online-business/
on June 21, 2020.
Literary Devices: Definition and Examples of Literary Terms. Retrieved from
http://literarydevices.net/assertion/ on June 18, 2020.
Malipot, M. & San Juan A. (2020). Learning in the time of coronavirus. Manila Bulletin, March
12, 2020. Retrieved from https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/03/11/learning-in-the-time-of-
coronavirus/ on June 20,2020
Mateo, J. (2020). Online education offers more opportunity to Filipinos. Retrieved from
https://www.philstar.com/other-sections/education-and-
home/2018/12/27/1880111/online-education-offers-more-opportunity-filipinos/amp/
on June 21, 2020
Pag-iwayan, J. (2020). What Filipino Teachers Think of Online Classes. Manila Bulletin. June
4, 2020. Retrieved from https://lifestyle.mb.com.ph/2020/06/04/what-filipino-teachers-
think-of-online-classes/ on June 21, 2020
Singh, H. (2016). In answer to: Do students in the classroom have a better learning experience
than online students? Retrieved from
https://www.researcgate.net/post/Do_students_in_the_classroom_have_a_better_lea
rning_experience_than_online_students on June 21, 2020

Study guide for Reading and writing Grade 11. Retrieved from https://www.quipper.com on
June 18, 2020

Credits for the images

https://www.gograph.com/clipart/cartoon-light-bulb-gg57190510.html
https://www.gograph.com/clipart/pencil-gg56010256.html

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For inquiries or feedback, write or call:
Department of Education – Region 5
Regional Center Site, Rawis, Legazpi City 4500
Contact: 0917 178 1288
Email: region5@deped.gov.ph