NAME: _________________________________________ SUBJECT:

______________
GRADE&SECTION: _____________ DATE: _______________
LEARNING MODULE IN READING AND WRITING SKILLS
MODULE 2 WEEK 2 QUARTER 2
What I Need to Know
Reading as a critical element of literacy is very essential for individuals’ success. It is one of the ways
that we use language in our daily life to gather information, communicate with others and for enjoyment. Hence, reading
always occurs in context. Thus, when you read and evaluate the text you are reading, it is important to validate your
assertions and counterclaims with valid evidences to produce meaningful evaluative statements. This module is all about
formulating evaluative statements about a text read which will be broken down into two lessons.
Learning Competency: Formulate evaluative statements about a text read. EN11/12RWS-IVac-9
a. Assertions about the content and properties of a text read EN11/12RWS-IVac-9.1
b. Meaningful counterclaims in response to claims made in a text read EN11/12RWS-IVac-9.2
Lesson 2: Assertions about the content and properties of text
Lesson 3: Counterclaims in response to claims made in a text
What you are expected to learn
By the end of this module, you will have been able to:
1. Determine the types of assertion:
2. Appreciate the importance of formulating assertion and counterclaims through a 150 word essay; and
3. Formulate counterclaims in response to claims made in a text read.

What I Know
Before heading on to our lesson, let us first check what you already know.
Instruction: Read the following statement. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if not.
1. Assertion is an honest and appropriate expression of one’s feelings, opinions, and needs.
2. A convention is a way in which something is done, similar to traditions and norms.
3. Opinions are based on personal choice; therefore, they are subjective and cannot be objectively proven or
logically attacked.
4. Counterclaims are claims made to rebut a previous claim.
5. To be an effective critical thinker, it is not enough just to be able to identify claims and assertions.

What’s New
Activity 1: Matchy! Matchy!
Instruction: Match Column A with the corresponding item in Column B.
Column A Column B
1. It is based on personal choice; therefore, they are subjective A. Statement of Opinion
and cannot be objectively proven or logically attacked.
2. It is based on facts, but are difficult to objectively verify because B. Statement of Preference
of the uncertainty of producing satisfactory proofs of soundness.
3. This is a statement that can be proven objectively by direct experience,
testimonies of witnesses, verified observations, or the results of research. C. Convention
4. It is a way in which something is done, similar to traditions and norms. D. Statement of Fact
5. It answers the question “What are other credible possibilities?” E. Counterclaims

What is it
What is an Assertion?
Becoming a good critical reader means that you are able to logically evaluate the claims of the writer. Assertions
become the primary channel for a reader to assent to a claim.
Assertion is a stylistic approach or technique involving a strong declaration, a forceful or confident and positive
statement regarding a belief or a fact. Often, it is without proof or any support.
It is a confident and forceful statement of fact or belief. Its purpose is to express ideas or feelings directly, for
instance, “I have put my every effort to complete this task today. “Standing up for your rights and not being taken
advantage of is one definition of being assertive. It also means communicating what you really want in a clear fashion,
respecting your own rights and feelings and the rights and feelings of others.
Assertion is an honest and appropriate expression of one’s feelings, opinions, and needs. A way to convince a
critical reader to accept the writer’s claim is to formulate assertions. Assertions, as defined by Tiongson (2016), are
“declarative sentences that claim something is true about something else.” These sentences may either be statements of
truths or opinions. There are four common types of assertion enumerated by Tiongson.

LESSON 1: Assertions about the content and properties of text

Tiongson’s Types of Assertion

1|READING AND WRITING SKILLS

 1. Statement of Fact- This is a statement that can be proven objectively by direct experience, testimonies of witnesses,
verified observations, or the results of research.
Example: The sampaguita’s roots are used for medicinal purposes, such as an anesthetic and a sedative.
This statement is a fact because it can be directly verified by experience or reliable research reports.
2. Statement of Opinion- Opinions are based on facts, but are difficult to objectively verify because of the uncertainty of
producing satisfactory proofs of soundness.
Example: The popularity of Sampaguita flowers is most evident in places of worship.
The above statement is an opinion because it is based on an observation that needs to be proven by studies and repeated
observation; there are too many factors involved that makes explicit judgment difficult.
3. Statement of Convention- A convention is a way in which something is done, similar to traditions and norms.
Conventions depend on historical precedent, laws, rules, usage, and customs.
Example: The sampaguita belongs to the genus Jasminum of the family Oleaceae.
This statement is a convention because it is based on a classification system made up by scientists and is acceptable to the
scientific community.
4. Statement of Preference- Preferences are based on personal choice; therefore, they are subjective and cannot be
objectively proven or logically attacked.
Example: Sampaguita are the most beautiful and most fragrant of all flowers.
This statement is a preference because it says a lot about the type of flowers that the writer likes, instead of objectively
comparing the qualities of Sampaguita to that of other flowers.

LESSON 2: Formulating Counterclaims

To be an effective critical thinker, it is not enough just to be able to identify claims and assertions. It is also
important to have the ability to analyze an argument and counterclaims.
Counterclaims are claims made to rebut a previous claim. They provide a contrasting perspective to the main argument.
Counterclaims – answer the question “What are other credible possibilities?
The following questions will help you formulate a counterclaim:
 What are the major points on which you and the author can disagree?
 What is the strongest argument? What did they say to defend their position?
 What are the merits of their view?
 What are the weaknesses or shortcomings in their argument?
 Are there any hidden assumptions?
 Which lines from the text best support the counterclaim you have formulated?
Steps in Writing a Counterclaim
Step One – Ways to begin counterclaim paragraphs
 Many people believe that . . .
 It is often thought that . . .
 It might seem as if . . .
 While it is common . . .
Step Two – Ways to transition from the opposite side back to your opinion
 What this argument fails to consider is . . .
 This view sounds convincing at first but . . .
 Although the core claim is valid, it suffers from the flaw in its . . .
Step Three – Write a counterclaim. Use one of the sentence starters in step one.
Remember to transition back to your opinion. Use one of the sentences starters in step two.
Counterclaim example:
It is often thought that social studies is the favorite academic class for junior high school students. However, what
this argument fails to consider is that science allows for more hands-on activities. For example, when studying amphibians,
you get to dissect a frog rather than just read about an event from the past.

What’s more
ACTIVITY 2: LET’S CLAIM IT!
Read passages below. Apply the questions above in identifying the claim and counterclaim.
Example:
Watching television entertains, educates, and informs. These three factual advantages developed,
giving more and more advantages. The value of family life could increase when they spent time together,
and the ability of television to entertain supports this condition to happen. There are shows which fit all
generations and could make people happy watching it. When members of the family watch the shows, they
laugh, and a comforting atmosphere is created.
Source: http://academicwriting0708f.blogspot.com/2008/05/task-4-positive-and-negative-effects-of.html

Claim: Watching television strengthens the family relationship.

Counterclaim: It might seem as if watching television strengthens family relationship. This view sounds convincing at first
but watching television prevents the talking, the games and the family festivities and arguments through which the child’s learning
takes place.

They are certainly right. Sunscreen protects your skin from ultraviolet light rays. Too much
2 | R E A Dultraviolet
I N G A is N bad
D W forRyour
I T Iskin.
N G If Syou
K Ispend
L L S a long time outside without any sunscreen on, you might get a
sunburn because of the ultraviolet rays.
 Claim: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Counterclaim:__________________________________________________________________________

You need a total of about 60 minutes of physical activity a day. Here is the good news. ----. Five or
ten minute sessions of physical activities throughout the day are just as good for you. These may include
walking, jogging, running, and riding a bike.

Claim: ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Counterclaim:_____________________________________________________________________________________

What can I do
ACTIVITY 3: GIVE THEIR IMPORTANCE!
In a clean sheet of paper, write a 150-word essay as your answer to this question, “What is the importance of
formulating assertions and counter claims?” You will be graded based on the provided rubrics below.
Criteria Percentage
CONTENT 30
ORGANIZATION 20
LANGUAGE 25
GRAMMAR 25
TOTAL 100%
Assessment
FACT OR BLUFF: Read each sentence carefully. Then write FACT if the statement is correct and BLUFF
if it is false.
__________ 1. Counterclaims are claims made to rebut a previous claim.
__________ 2. Assertion is an honest and appropriate expression of one’s feelings, opinions, and needs.
__________ 3. A convention is a way in which something is done, similar to traditions and norms.
__________ 4. Opinions are based on personal choice; therefore, they are subjective and cannot be
objectively proven or logically attacked.
__________ 5. Counterclaim is a contrasting perspective to the argument.
__________ 6. Statement of fact can be proven objectively by direct experience, testimonies of
witnesses, verified observations, or the results of research.
__________ 7. This is an example of a claim, “It is often thought that social studies is the favorite academic class for junior
high school students. However, what this argument fails to consider is that science allows for more hands-on activities. For
example, when studying amphibians, you get to dissect a frog rather than just read about an event from the past.”
__________ 8. Counterclaim provide a contrasting perspective to the main argument.
__________ 9. Claim is a stylistic approach or technique involving a strong declaration, a forceful or
confident and positive statement regarding a belief or a fact.

__________ 10. ”The sampaguita’s roots are used for medicinal purposes, such as an anaesthetic and a
sedative.” is an example of statement of fact.

What I can show

Which category in 21st Century skills do you think the core of our topic falls in? (Communication, collaboration,
creativity, critical thinking, productivity, leadership and technology literacy). Explain why.

Prepared by: Noted by:

Ms. Jessa Nina M. Balbacal Mrs. Rochelle May G. Gayacan, LPT

STUDENT TEACHER SUBJECT TEACHER

3|READING AND WRITING SKILLS

 ANSWER SHEE
**THIS PORTION OF THE MODULE SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BACK TO MA’AM ROCHELLE FOR CHECKING**

Name of Student: ________________________________________________ Grade/Strand: _________________

Present Address: _________________________________________________ Contact no.____________________
Subject Matter: READING AND WRITING SKILLS
Topic: Lesson 2: Assertions about the content and properties of text.
Lesson 3: Counterclaims in response to claims made in a text.

WHAT I KNOW
TRUE or FALSE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

WHAT’S NEW

Activity 1: Matchy! Matchy!

Instruction: Match Column A with the corresponding item in Column B.
Column A Column B
1. It is based on personal choice; therefore, they are subjective A. Statement of Opinion
and cannot be objectively proven or logically attacked.
2. It is based on facts, but are difficult to objectively verify because B. Statement of Preference
of the uncertainty of producing satisfactory proofs of soundness.
3. This is a statement that can be proven objectively by direct experience,
testimonies of witnesses, verified observations, or the results of research. C. Convention
4. It is a way in which something is done, similar to traditions and norms. D. Statement of Fact
5. It answers the question “What are other credible possibilities?” E. Counterclaims

4|READING AND WRITING SKILLS

WHAT’S MORE
Activity 2: Let’s Claim It!
Read passages below. Apply the questions above in identifying the claim and counterclaim.

They are certainly right. Sunscreen protects your skin from ultraviolet light rays. Too much ultraviolet is bad
for your skin. If you spend a long time outside without any sunscreen on, you might get a sunburn because of the
ultraviolet rays.

Claim: __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Counterclaim: ____________________________________________________________________________________________

You need a total of about 60 minutes of physical activity a day. Here is the good news. ----. Five or ten minute
sessions of physical activities throughout the day are just as good for you. These may include walking, jogging, running,
and riding a bike.

Claim:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Counterclaim:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______

WHAT I CAN DO
ACTIVITY 3: GIVE THEIR IMPORTANCE!
In a clean sheet of paper, write a 150-word essay as your answer to this question, “What is the importance of
formulating assertions and counter claims?” You will be graded based on the provided rubrics below.

Criteria Percentage
CONTENT 30
ORGANIZATION 20
LANGUAGE 25
GRAMMAR 25
TOTAL 100%

ASSESSMENT
FACT OR BLUFF
1. 6.
2. 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.

WHAT I CAN SHOW

Which category in 21st Century skills do you think the core of our topic falls in? (Communication, collaboration, creativity, critical
thinking, productivity, leadership and technology literacy). Explain why..

Prepared by: Noted by:

Ms. Jessa Nina M. Balbacal

Mrs. Rochelle May G. Gayacan, LPT
STUDENT TEACHER
SUBJECT TEACHER

5|READING AND WRITING SKILLS