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SSLM RWS Q4 Week 3
SSLM RWS Q4 Week 3
Let Us Discover
The final step in the critical reading process is to formulate an evaluative statement
about the text which will validate or challenge the author’s ideas. In this aspect, the reader
makes a stand on the arguments presented by the author and the manner through which it
was delivered. Making assertions and counterclaims are part of it.
In formulating evaluative statements, assertions play an important role. An
assertion is a statement used to make a declaration or to express strong belief on a particular
topic, often without evidence. On the other hand, counterclaims, as defined by Tiongson
(2016), are “claims made to rebut a previous claim”. Further, in analyzing an argument, the
writer needs to present evidences as its counterclaims.
There are four common types of assertions according to the degree of certainty.
These include fact, convention, opinion and preference.
1. Fact- this is a statement that can be proven objectively by direct experience,
testimonies of witnesses, verified observations, or the results of research.
Example: Cigarettes contain harmful chemicals that cause cancer.
( The statement is a fact because it can be directly verified by research).
2. Convention- it is a way in which something is done, similar to traditions and norms.
Example: The sampaguita belongs to the genus Jasminum of the family
Oleaceae.
(The statement above is a sample of convention because it was based on a
classification system made up by scientist and is acceptable to the scientific
community. )
3. Opinion- is based on facts, but are difficult to objectively verify because of the
uncertainty of producing satisfactory proofs of soundness.
Example: The iPhone is better than any other android phones.
Let Us Try
Identify the type of assertions that are being used in the following sentences.
Write either FACT, OPINION, CONVENTION or PREFERENCE as your answer.
______________1. Facebook is a cooler social media platform than Twitter.
______________2. There were 1.4 billion users of social media in the whole
world in the year 2012.
______________3. Most of my friends like Instagram than Facebook.
______________4. I would rather enjoy staying home and make myself
productive than spending my time outside and do nothing.
______________5. Roses belong to the genus Rosa of the family Rosaceae.
Let Us Do
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