The document explains the concept of assertions, which are confident statements that express a belief or fact, often lacking proof. It categorizes assertions into four types: statements of fact, opinion, convention, and preference, and also discusses counterclaims and rebuttals as part of constructing arguments. Lastly, it emphasizes the importance of analyzing claims and counterclaims to enhance critical thinking skills.

1. ASSERTIO
N

2. What is an Assertion?
Becoming a good critical reader
means that you are able to
logically valuate the claims of
the writer. Assertions become
the primary channel for reader
to assent to a claim.

3. 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.

4. 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. l These sentences may either be
statements of truths or opinions. There are four
common types of assertion enumerated by Tiongson.

5. Tiongson’s Types
of Assertion

6. 1. Statement of Fact.. c
This is a statement that can be
proven objectively by direct
experience, testimonies of
witnesses, verified observations,
or the results of research.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.
3. Statement of Convention

11. 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.

12. Preferences are based on
personal choice; therefore,
they are subjective and cannot
be objectively proven or
logically attacked.
4. Statement of Preference

13. Example: Sampaguitas 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
sampaguitas to that of other
flowers.

14. COUNTERCLAIMS

15. COUNTERCLAIM
is a counter statement
or a counter argument

16. ● Claim: This is your position or side in an
argument
● Counterclaim: This is a counter argument from a
claim given
● Rebuttal: This is your response to a counterclaim.
This further intensifies your claim.

17. Claim: Hybrid cars are an effective strategy to fight
pollution.
Counterclaim: Many people believe that hybrid cars
are an effective strategy to fight pollution. This view
sounds convincing at first but 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 and encouraging the use of mass
transit systems.
EXAMPLE:

18. Person
A
Person B
CLAIM COUNTERCLAIM
REBUTTAL REBUTTAL

19. Tips on making counterclaim
● Understand the point of the claim
● Answer the claim point by point
● Avoid using logical fallacies
● Avoid using religion unless it is
involved
● Politely express your points or idea

20. SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT
CELLPHONES SHOULD BE
BANNED IN SCHOOLS, BECAUSE
THEY DISTRACT STUDENTS FROM
LEARNING.
CLAIM

21. STUDENTS SHOULD BE
ALLOWED TO BRING
CELLPHONES FOR EMERGENCY
PURPOSES.
COUNTERCLAIM

22. THERE ARE OTHER LESS DISRUPTIVE
WAYS FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS TO
COMMUNICATE. BESIDES CELLPHONES
WERE USED IN PLAYING GAMES AND
BROWSING SOCIAL MEDIA THAN
COMMUNICATING WITH PARENTS.
REBUTTAL - C

23. CELLPHONES COULD BE TURNED INTO
SILENT MODE TO AVOID DISRUPTION OF
CLASSES. SCHOOL MAY JUST ALLOW
THE STUDENTS USED THEIR PHONES
DURING BREAKS.
REBUTTAL - CC

24. Tobeaneffectivecriticalthinker,itisnotenoughjust
tobeabletoidentifyclaimsandassertions.Itisalso
importanttohavetheabilitytoanalyzeanargument
andcounterclaims.Counterclaimsareclaimsmadeto
rebutapreviousclaim.Theyprovideacontrasting
perspectivetothemainargument.

25. THANK YOU!!!