EXAMPLES CLAIM

AND COUNTERCLAIM
PROMPT: HOW CAN STUDENTS FOCUS
BETTER IN SCHOOL?

• CLAIM: STUDENTS THAT ARE ALLOWED TO

CHEWGUM FOCUS BETTER IN SCHOOL
• COUNTERCLAIM: GUM WILL BE A DISTRACTION
IF IT IS CHEWED LOUDLY
 PROMPT: HOW SHOULD HIGH SCHOOL
ADDRESS THE INCREASED VIOLENCE ON
COMPUSED?
• CLAIM: HS NEED ARMED SECURITY ON CAMPUS TO
REDUCE INCIDENCES OF VIOLENCE
• CLAIM: ARMED SECURITY DOES NOT REDUCE
VIOLENCE ON HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUSES.
• COUNTERCLAIM: ARMED SECURITY DOES NOT
REDUCE VIOLENCE ON HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUSES
 MAIN IDEA: HUNTING SEASON SHOULD BE
LONGER.

• CLAIM: ANIMAL POPULATION TO HIGH.

• CLAIM: SOME PEOPLE HUNT FOR FOOD AND NEED MORE
TIME TO GET MORE FOOD
• COUNTERCLAIM: MANY HUNTERS ONLY HUNT FOR TROPHY
AND WASTE THE MEAT.
• CLAIM: MCDONALD’S SHOULD BE
CONSIDERED A HEALTHY RESTAURANT
BECAUSE THEY OFFER WATER,FRUIT, AND
SALAD
• COUNTERCLAIM: EVEN THOUGH THEY
HAVE A FEW HEALTHY OPTIONS OF THE
MENU, MCDONALD’S SHOULD NOT
OVERALL BE CONSIDERED “HEALTHY”
BECAUSE THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEIR
• CLAIM: THE BENGALS ARE THE BEST
NFL TEAM
• COUNTERCLAIM: I DISAGREE… THE
COWBOYS ARE BEST NFL TEAM
• CLAIM: WATER BOTTLES SHOULD BE ALLOWED
IN SCHOOLS BECAUSE THEY COULD INCREASE
GRADES, HELP STUDENTS STAY HEALTHY, AND
REDUCE DROWSINESS.
• COUNTERCLAIM: IT STUDENTS START
BRINGING WATER BOTTLES TO CLASS, THEY
MIGHT HAVE TO GO LEAVE TO THE BATHROOM
MORE OFTEN.
• CLAIM: HYBRID CARS ARE AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY TO FIGHT
POLLUTION
• COUNTERCLAIM: INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON CARS, WHICH
STILL ENCOURAGES A CULTURE OF DRIVING EVEN IF IT CUTS
DOWN ON POLLUTION, THE NATION SHOULD FOCUS ON
BUILDING ARE ENCOURAGING USE OF MASS TRANSIT
SYSTEMS.
• CLAIM: STUDENTS IN ALL OF CUSD #66 SHOULD HAVE
PERSONAL DEVICES AT SCHOOL AND AT HOME TO MAKE IT
EASIER TO GET HOMEWORK COMPLETED.
• COUNTERCLAIM: EVEN THOUGH IT MAY BE EASIER TO DO
HOMEWORK, A LOT OF ASSIGNMENT REQUIRE INTERNET, AND
NOT ALL STUDENTS HAVE INTERNET ACCESS AT HOM. PLUS
STUDENTS MAY FORGET THE DEVICES AT HOME.
• CLAIM: “MORE AMERICANS ARE
CHOOSING LOW-CARB DIETS BECAUSE THE
MEDIA PROMOTES LOW-CRAB DIETS AS
THE NEW WAY TO A SKINNIER BODY.”
• COUNTERCLAIM: “SOME AMERICANS
DON’T WATCH TELEVISION COMMERCIALS
BECAUSE THEY OWN A DVR OR TIVO.”
• CLAIM: IT MUST HAVE RAINED
LAST NIGHT.
• COUNTERCLAIM: THE WET
PAVEMENT MAY BE THE RESULT OF
SPRINKLERS HITTING THE
QUIZ

I. MULTIPLECHOICE: PUT A CHECK MARK AT

THE LEFT SIDE OF THE LETTER BEARING
THE BEST ANSWER.
1. WHICH IS THE CENTRAL ARGUMENT OF THE TEXT?
A. ASSERTION
B. FACT
C. CLAIM
D. OPINON
2. WHICH STYLISTIC APPROACH OR TECHNIQUE
INVOLVES A STRONG DECLARATION REGARDING A
BELIEF OR FACT?
A. CLAIM
B. ASSERTION
C. EXPRESSION
D.OPINION
3. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF ASSERTION?
A.PRESENT A FACT
B.EXPRESS IDEAS DIRECTLY
C.GATHER DATA
D.REFUTE A PROPOSITION
4. WHAT DOES COUNTERCLAIM SERVES?
A.OFFER SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS
B.CONCUR WITH THE IDEAS OF EXPERTS
C.DISCUSS AN ISSUE
D.PROVIDE AN OPPOSING0 VIEWPOINT
5. WHY ARE BOTH THE CLAIM AND THE
COUNTERCLAIM ESSENTIAL IN CRITICAL
READING?
A.READING INVOLVES ARGUMENTATION
B.BOTH HELP DETERMINE TEXTUAL
EVIDENCE
C.READERS USE THEW IN DECISSION
II.READ CAREFULLY EACH OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT.
ON THE SPACE BEFORE THE NUMBER , IDENTIFY WHETHER
IT IS A CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM. IF IT IS A CLAIM
PROVIDE A COUNTERCLAIM AND VICE VERSA.

__________1. FILIPINOS BY CULTURE ARE HOSPITABLE

__________2. ALTHOUGH MANY, STILL INSIST THAT GOING TO
SCHOOL LEADS A PERSON TO SUCCESS.
__________3. HOWEVER, MANY PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD
CONSIDER THE FILIPINOS AS THE BEST HUMAN CIPITAL.
__________4. ROADS AND BRIDGES NEED TO BE REGULARLY
CHECKED.
__________5. HOWEVER CERTAIN PRACTICES IN SOME
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES STILL NEED TO BE IMPROVED.
ANSWER #1
 ANSWER #2

1.A-ASSERTION
2.B-ASSERTION
3.B-EXPRESS IDEAS DIRECTLY
4.D-PROVIDE AN OPPOSING VIEWPOINT
5-B-BOTH HELP DETERMINE TEXTUAL EVIDENCE