G10-Quarter 2 Module 3 : OPINION OR ASSERTION

​Quarter 2-Module 3 :

FORMULATING A STATEMENT

OF OPINION OR ASSERTION

Prepared by: Ruby B. Anzano​

​Objectives:

1. recognize fact, opinion, and assertion;

2. distinguish opinion and commonplace assertion from fact; and

3. formulate statements of skim for major or central ideas.​

Multiple Choice

1. It is a statement that is commonly believed to be true even without proof or evidence.

• Fact

• Opinion

• Commonplace Assertion

• Bias or Prejudice

Multiple Choice

2. It is a statement that is verifiable, or can be proven true or false based on evidence or proof.

• Fact

• Opinion

• Commonplace Assertion

• Bias or Prejudice

Multiple Choice

3. Which of the following best defines an opinion?

• A. It is a declarative statement that is generally accepted as true.

• B. It is a personal view, judgment or appraisal about a particular matter.

• C. It can be proven true or false based on whatever evidence is available.

• D. It is a statement that is true not only to the speaker but to everyone else.

Multiple Choice

4. What is the similarity between an opinion and a commonplace assertion?

• A. They can be opposed.

• B. They are subjective and personal.

• C. They are based on evidence or proof.

• D. They are generally accepted to be true.

Multiple Choice

5. Which is not a category of an opinion statement?

• Statement of Truth

• Statement of Value

• Statement of Policy

• Statement of Preference

Multiple Choice

6. Under what category of opinion statement does the following statement belong to? Online selling has become a very viable source of income nowadays.

• Statement of Truth

• Statement of Value

• Statement of Policy

• Statement of Preference

Multiple Choice

7. Which of the following is a well-constructed opinion statement?

• A. Baguio is the safest city to live in during this pandemic.

• B. I think the local government of Baguio deserves recognition for its efforts.

• C. LGU leaders in the city always make sound and calculated decisions.

• D. Mayor Benjamin Magalong exemplary handled the pandemic in his jurisdiction.

Multiple Choice

8. Which of these statements is neither an opinion nor a commonplace assertion?

• A. Women are careful drivers.

• B. All industrial nations are first world countries.

• C. There are more men than women who became president of the country.

• D. The number of males in the Senate and Congress suggests that males are better lawmakers.

Multiple Choice

9. A commonplace assertion is commonly referred to as stereotypes. Which of these statements is an example of stereotype?

• A. All boys are more open-minded than girls.

• B. Most religions allow only the males to be the leaders.

• C. Schools across the country advocate gender equality.

• D. Women deserve the same opportunities that are given to men.

Multiple Choice

10. What makes the following statement an example of commonplace assertion?

Milk is good for your body.

• A. It asserts that milk is the best source of calcium which makes bones and teeth stronger.

• B. It makes people believe that milk contains all the vitamins and minerals that the body needs.

• C. It disregards the fact that some people are lactose intolerant, and milk may cause stomach upset.

• D. All of the above.

​Lesson: Formulating a Statement of Fact or Opinion

" Everyday conversation and writing is characterized not only by factual statements, but also expressions of one’s personal views, judgment, beliefs and convictions. In other words, we often make statements or assertions of fact, opinion, belief and even prejudice. This is because we often process and interpret factual evidence based on our own values, feelings, tastes, and experiences.

Assertion ​and Opinion

" Fowler H. Ramsay (1986), as outlined in the Colorado State University website, described assertion as a term generally used to refer to statements of fact, opinion, belief and prejudice. These types or categories of assertion are quite different from one another. A fact is a verifiable statement. It can be proven objectively by verified observations or the results of research among others. Because statements of fact can be double-checked for accuracy, there is general agreement about the truth they posit. On the other hand, an opinion is a personal judgment based on facts; hence, it is debatable and potentially changeable.

​Belief and Commonplace Assertion

" The third category is called belief, which is a conviction based on cultural or personal faith, morality or values. A statement of belief may look similar with an opinion, but they are not based on evidence; that is why they cannot be contested or argued in a rational or logical manner. Lastly, there is the rather vague category called commonplace assertion. This is a stereotype, an oversimplification or a prejudice, which is a half-baked opinion based on insufficient or unexamined evidence, but it presented as if it were a fact. It is often accepted from others (families, friends, media etc.), making it too common to be questioned about its truthfulness.

" These categories of assertion are so prevalent in social media today, and the distinction between one another is slowly becoming unclear because of how netizens present everything as facts.

​

This is why every social media needs to be a critical and informed reader to be able to verify the truthfulness of the information he/she comes across.

​Activity: I’M A CRITICAL READER

" Go over each of the following statements and identify

​

FACT if it is factual, and

OPINION of it is a personal interpretation or conclusion derived from factual evidence, and ASSERTION if it is a commonplace assertion, or a claim that is not supported by evidence.

Multiple Choice

1. There is not a single district in Quezon City with zero record of Covid-19 cases.

• Fact

• Opinion

• Commonplace Assertion

Multiple Choice

2. The surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in Quezon City can be attributed to expanded testing efforts and heightened contact tracing.

• Fact

• Opinion

• Commonplace Assertion

Multiple Choice

3. To ease the worsening poverty caused by the pandemic, livelihood projects for poor families are a better solution than cash subsidies.

• Fact

• Opinion

• Commonplace Assertion

Multiple Choice

4. The liquor ban is one of the best policies of the local government in keeping the coronavirus disease under control.

• Fact

• Opinion

• Commonplace Assertion

Multiple Choice

5. The only tourists allowed to come to Baguio are those from Region 1 and nearby provinces with minimal Covid-19 cases.

• Fact

• Opinion

• Commonplace Assertion

Multiple Choice

6. Tourism always solves the financial woes of every major city in the entire country.

• Fact

• Opinion

• Commonplace Assertion

Multiple Choice

7. Many poor families have greatly benefitted from the two tranches of the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP).

• Fact

• Opinion

• Commonplace Assertion

Multiple Choice

8. Small businesses had to close as an effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, and this is why it is better to have a stable job than to start one’s own business venture.

• Fact

• Opinion

• Commonplace Assertion

Multiple Choice

9. Longer quarantine period translates to lower crime rates in every city.

• Fact

• Opinion

• Commonplace Assertion

Multiple Choice

10. In times of global crisis, men are better leaders than women.

• Fact

• Opinion

• Commonplace Assertion

​Whenever you browse your newsfeed, will you be able to tell how much of the posts you read is factual, and how much is opinionated? If you can’t tell between fact and opinion or assertion, then you are likely to fall victim to misinformation or fake news.

​ As a 21st century learner, you should be able to tell the difference between the two. Similarly, you are also expected to know how to properly construct statements of opinion or assertion.

​ An opinion is a type of assertion which expresses a judgment, viewpoint, or statement about matters commonly considered to be subjective. It is a personal view; however, it is still based on facts. In other words, it is an honest attempt to draw a conclusion from factual evidence, and not a mere statement of one’s belief, preference, or prejudice (e.g. The president is the worst leader the country has ever had.)

​ An opinion statement is composed mainly of a debatable topic and a focus (i.e., the specific feeling or belief the writer or speaker has about the topic.) It can sometimes be distinguished from other constructions because it often uses qualifying words such as almost, usually, maybe, probably, often, some, most and in most cases. It does not have to be explicitly stated using the words “I think...” or “In my opinion...” Take, for instance, the sentence: Most public schools are ready for distance education. The word “most” makes the sentence an opinion that is easier to support. Opinions result from ambiguities; the more ambiguous a statement, the more difficult it is to verify, and so they are open to disputes.

​ An opinion statement is composed mainly of a debatable topic and a focus (i.e., the specific feeling or belief the writer or speaker has about the topic.) It can sometimes be distinguished from other constructions because it often uses qualifying words such as almost, usually, maybe, probably, often, some, most and in most cases. It does not have to be explicitly stated using the words “I think...” or “In my opinion...” Take, for instance, the sentence: Most public schools are ready for distance education. The word “most” makes the sentence an opinion that is easier to support. Opinions result from ambiguities; the more ambiguous a statement, the more difficult it is to verify, and so they are open to disputes.

​1. Statement of Truth

" It is an opinion that something is or is not the case. For example: With the minimal number of Covid-19 cases in the city, Quezon City clearly has more effective contact tracing methods than most cities in the country.

​1. Statement of Value

" It is an opinion statement which claims that something does or does not have worth. For example: Hard lockdowns of barangays has not been effective in controlling the spread of the coronavirus.

​1. Statement of Policy

" It claims that something should or should not be done. For example: Amidst the ongoing pandemic, what teachers and students need is not academic freeze but material, moral and instructional support from the leaders in the education department.

" Take note that the given examples are claims or statements that are based on existing facts or on the writer’s interpretation of these facts; hence, they can be debated or opposed. In other words, they are personal views. They may be true for the speaker or writer, but they can’t be true for everybody else. It is therefore important to make the readers aware of the evidence and how it led you to arrive at your opinion.

​1. Statement of Policy

" Another statement or expression that is somewhat similar to an opinion is called commonplace assertion. Readers or listeners sometimes confuse the two with each other; however, a commonplace assertion does not appear to be as subjective as an opinion. Instead, it claims universality and is presented as an absolute truth. Further, a commonplace assertion is a statement used to make a declaration or to express strong belief on a particular topic, often without evidence. They are so common (because they are passed on by friends, family members, and the media) that they are believed to be true even without proof, and some statements of commonplace assertion have become stereotypes.

​1. Statement of Policy

1. Men are stronger than women.

2 . An apple a day keeps the doctor​

​

Multiple Choice

1. The number of children falling victim to abuse is constantly increasing over the years.

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

2. The quarantine is detrimental for the children’s physical, social and mental well being.

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

3. There are negligent parents and guardians in many households in the country.

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

4. The cyberspace is not a safe place for children.

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

5. Several agencies are working hand-in-hand in monitoring and addressing issues involving children.

• Fact

• Opinion