Expressing one’s belief or

conviction based on a material

viewed
Module in English 7
Third Quarter Module 4 Week 4

MARY CARL S. ZORDILLA

Developer
Department of Education • Cordillera Administrative Region
 What is It
What is the speaker’s concern from her speech? Is her argument backed with
evidence? Did she use strong words to express her belief?

Just like the speaker, you should be able present your belief about something
effectively. Before you can express yourself effectively let us know first the difference of
belief and conviction.

A belief is something that an individual considers as the truth. An example is

religion. In each religion, there are various beliefs. These beliefs are different from one
religion to another. Followers of various religions consider these sets of beliefs as their
reality. They acknowledge these beliefs and make it a part of them.
Beliefs have been formed based on our experiences and backgrounds. These are very
personal ideas and cannot be rejected because they express our opinion. Our beliefs can
stretch and adapt in accordance with new situations that we face in life. It is not mandatory
for beliefs to change completely with new experiences. In most situations, beliefs expand and
grow.
Conviction, on the other hand is a firm belief that a person has on a particular subject.
Conviction is usually a bit different to a belief because a person becomes convinced of something
after he has a thorough knowledge and understanding of all the available information. It is based
on the information that the conviction is created. Once a conviction has been formed, it is difficult
for the person to see the world in a different light. He only sees things in the light of his
conviction.

Conviction has very deep roots. It is true that in a belief the individual accepts and
acknowledges something. It remains unchanged over a period. It also needs concrete information.
Source: https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-conviction-and-vs-belief/

You can use the following terms in expressing your belief/conviction:

This is something I feel very strongly about…

I am a firm believer in …
I am passionate about…
This is an issue that is very close to my heart.
I’m absolutely convinced that…
I’m sure that…
I strongly believe that…
I have no doubt that…
There’s no doubt in my mind that…”
Reference: https://writing.colostate.edu/guides/teaching/co300man/pop12d.cfm

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Here are some tips to better convey your belief/ conviction:
1. Plan it
Plan what you will say by organizing your thoughts about the material you viewed.
2. Deepen it
Give details/ reasons about your belief or conviction. You can give examples in order
t make your audience believe you,
3. Mind your tone
Your words express who you are, your character and personality. Find a tone that
works for the message or information you are trying to convey. Remember to be respectful
always.
4. Use Imagery
Using imagery will leave your listener or reader with the same picture in their mind
that you had in yours to begin with. This helps in convincing your audience about what you
want to convey.
5. Share inner thoughts and voices
The best way to express yourself is through feelings rather than concrete ideas.
Reference: https://writing.colostate.edu/guides/teaching/co300man/pop12d.cfm?
fbclid=IwAR1WVy4X1ebn4So2R
_uCVkamH0ks0e98DBISVFfYl7h0UjaqrBcCvg2tCGI

What’s More

Activity1 : Superstitions on the Go!

Read the article about “Superstitions Many Filipinos Still Believe then check if
you also believe on the following superstitious beliefs and write your reasons for such.

Superstitions Many Filipinos Still

Believe
Don’t go straight home after attending a wake
This superstition is called “pagpag” (the shaking off of dirt). In the context of a wake, it means
going elsewhere after attending the wake before heading home to shake off the spirit of the
deceased lest it follows you home. Superstitions surrounding wakes are among the most widely
practiced by Filipinos still today. Another is that the family of the deceased should not drop off
visitors at the door upon saying goodbye as it symbolizes dropping them off at their own deaths.
And, as for serving food at wakes (be it heavy meals or light snacks) at Filipino wakes is
customary, visitors should not make the mistake of taking any home with them (be it a small
piece of candy), as it signifies inviting misfortune into your home.
Reassure your host that you’re human
A very common line used by Filipinos when knocking on someone’s door is
“Tao (person) po!“. Many assume it refers to the knocker calling out to ask if there are any
people inside, when actually, it is said to stem from the knocker reassuring the people inside
that s/he is a person and not a possibly harmful supernatural creature.

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 Serve pancit (noodles) at celebrations, especially birthdays
This ever-present dish at Filipino gatherings is believed to represent long life. And while Filipinos
today may joke and laugh about actually believing that this noodle dish is served for long life, it
remains a staple at nearly every birthday feast
Respect the elementals
Filipino folklore is rich with a variety of elementals, from giants smoking tobacco, to small, grumpy,
old men living in anthills. Stories of these creatures fill the childhoods of many Filipino children,
inciting both intrigue and fear. Many superstitions still surround the beliefs in such creatures today.
Among the most practiced is the saying of “tabi tabi po” (excuse me) when passing through places
where elementals are likely to dwell.
Be careful when showing fondness over babies
It’s difficult to restrain from playing with cute babies or complimenting their parents on their
adorable features, but doing so in the Philippines is believed by some, to be a potential cause of
illness. Referred to as either “usog” or “bati”, this superstition says that when a person with strong
energy greets a child, the child may soon after suffer from unexplainable discomfort. This is why,
especially in the countryside, older people know to say “pwera usog” when showing fondness over
children. This is meant to counter
any usog that may have happened otherwise. If this isn’t said, and parents attribute certain maladies
of their children to usog, they may ask the greeter to smear their saliva on the suffering child’s
forehead as a cure.
Blame your missing things on elves
In the Philippines, there is an assumption that when items around the house go missing and
reappear, this is caused by dwendes or playful elves. While mischievous, these little creatures are
believed to be mostly harmless – aside from the type that take small children.

Source: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/superstitions-and-taboos-many-filipinos-still-believe- in/

Process Questions:
1. Are there other superstitions that you believe in? What are those?

2. Who influenced you to believe in these superstitions?

3. How does it affect you when someone also expresses their belief regarding these
superstitions?

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 Post-Assessment
Multiple Choice: Select the best answer to each description by writing the letter of your
choice on your answer sheet.

1-2. Which of the following statements are true about belief? Choose two.
A. Belief is a gossip.
B. Conviction is a firm belief.
C. Belief is judgment based on facts.
D. Belief is an acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists.

3-4. Which of the following are reasons to express belief/ conviction? Choose two.
A. It builds self-confidence.
B. It inspires you to become timid.
C. It helps you develop a strong sense of self.
D. It persuades you to believe on other’s conviction.

5-6. Which of the following statements correctly differentiates the differences between
belief and convictions? Choose two.
A. A belief is a long-term while a conviction is short-term.
B. A belief can be weak and shallow while conviction is strong and firm..
C. A belief can stretch and adapt to new situations while conviction is firm and
stable.
D. A belief is firm and stable while conviction can stretch and adapt to new
situations.

B. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if it is otherwise.

7. Belief is a firm belief.
8. Belief is a feeling that somethings exist or it true.
9. A conviction can change over time.
10. Conviction is weak and shallow.
11. Belief is based on personal opinion.

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