FORMULATING
STATEMENT OF
OPINION OR
ASSERTION
TASK 1: PUT ME IN PLACE.
DIRECTIONS: Identify the statements below
whether they are FACTS or OPINIONS.
1. Sunday is the best day of the week.
2. April is a month with 30 days.
3. There are 12 months in the year.
4. Everyone should make Valentine's Day cards.
5. This has been an amazing week.
When we say opinion, it pertains to the personal
view or judgment about a subject, that may or may not
be substantiated by the facts or positive knowledge.
In other words, an opinion is an inconclusive
statement, used in subjective matters, which cannot be
proven true or false. It is what a person thinks or feels
about something or someone.
Moreover, opinion is highly influenced by a person’s
feelings, thoughts, perspective, desires, attitude, experiences,
understanding, beliefs, values, etc., which cannot be tested by
concrete evidence.
Therefore, due to individual differences, every person’s
opinion on a particular matter [may] also [be] different.
How to formulate statement of opinion? In formulating
statement of opinion, you may use introductory words and
phrases and transition words such as the following listed below:
EXAMPLE SENTENCES EXPRESSING
OPINION:
• My favorite subject in school is English.
• I strongly believe that we can combat COVID-19 if all people will
observe the safety protocols.
• This is the best day of my life!
• Now, let us talk about assertion.
Assertion is a statement used to make a
declaration or to express strong belief on a
particular topic, often without evidence.
An assertion can be formulated after reading a
story or a poem, and even after watching a play.
The purpose of writing an assertion is for the writer to
convey directly an idea or feeling and to convince the reader
to accept the writer’s interpretation of a particular literary
work.
Before writing an assertion, the author must comprehensively
read or watch the literary work. He must take down the part he
is for, or he is opposed to, followed by his explanation of it. It
is also best to collect evidence from the same or other literary
authors that have the same assertion as with the writer.
Assertion has three types and they can be used in formal or informal
writing. Types of assertion are:
1. Basic Assertion- Basic assertion is a simple expression of your
personal rights, beliefs, feelings, or opinions. Let’s look at a
reasonably frequent example in peoples lives – being interrupted. If
you are interrupted, you might say to the person “Excuse me, I’d
like to finish what I’m saying.” Often, the other person will be
unaware that they have interrupted or spoken over you, and this
simple technique allows you to express your need simply and
firmly.
[Link] Assertion- This is the acknowledgement of another person’s
situation or feelings followed by a statement standing up for your rights. It is
usually composed of two parts:
1) the first part is the statement that recognizes the situation or even the
feelings of the characters on the text being read
2) the second statement where the writer states his stand about the situation.
You might say something like – “I know you are feeling angry and
frustrated while you wait for a response [this is the acknowledgement], I
completely get why you would feel like that [this is the validation]. But, the
best I can do is give you a ballpark estimate of how long it will take.”
3. I- language Assertion- It involves the first person pronoun “I,” and is
useful for expressing negative feelings. Nevertheless, it constructively
lays emphasis on a person’s feelings of anger such as: “When you raise
your voice (the effect is) I start to shut down because I feel scared.
Therefore, I would like for you to use a softer tone of voice to tell me
what you want.”
It is made up of a number of very specific statements:
Description of behaviour: “When you … ,”
How it affects you life: “It affects … ,”
Describe your feelings: “and I feel …;”
Describe your desire: “Therefore, I would like …”
How to formulate statement of assertion? Two (2) factors that
must be considered before formulating assertion
1. Determine the type of paper you are going to write – can
either be formal or informal paper.
2. Determine the type of literary work you are going to
examine including novel, poem, journal article or theatre play.
It is best to include facts and evidence after every assertion.
This is done to make a strong stand on every claimed
assertion.
TASK 1. LOCATING JUDGMENT WORDS
Directions: Identify the clues, bias or qualifying words found in the statements
below.
1. Purchasing a brand new car is a terrible waste of money.
2. Many wonderful vegetarian cookbooks are available in bookstores.
3. Of all the film version of Victor Hugo’s novel Les Miserables, the 1935 version
starring Charles Laughton is the best.
4. The introductory biology textbook comes with an amazing CD-ROM.
5. Volunteers for Habitat for Humanity are engaged in a worthwhile activity.
TASK 2. OPINION OR ASSERTION
Directions: Tell whether the statement below is an OPINION or ASSERTION.
____________1. I have put my every effort to complete this task today.
____________2. Excuse me, first I want to finish my work, then I shall go
with you.
____________3. Covid-19 has created ugly effects to the lives of the
people.
____________4. I really want to finish this point before you start yours.
____________5. I am convinced that we will survive this pandemic if we help one
another.
