FORMULATING ASSERTIONS ASSERTION An 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 Before writing an assertion in literature, 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. FORMING ASSERTIONS Different types of assertion can be used in formal or informal writing. This includes Basic Assertion, Emphatic Assertion and I-Language Assertion. BASIC ASSERTION Basic Assertion is a statement used to express the writer's feelings, beliefs, and opinions directly. This type of assertion is usually used in writing formal papers like thesis and dissertation. EXAMPLE The Philippines has an advanced civilization before the colonization of Spain. Form and branches of government, social structure and the existence of ancient writing are some of the evidence that proves the advancement of the precolonial period. EXPLANATION This first sentence is considered as the basic assertion. The second sentence contains evidence that support the assertion. EMPHATIC ASSERTION Emphatic Assertion is a statement used to express empathy or on how a person understands the feelings and emotions of the literary author. This can be used on writing a formal or informal paper. 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 followed by 2.) the second statement where the writer states his stand about the situation. EXAMPLE I know that the Philippines, before pre-Spaniard colonization, has their system of writing called the ‘baybayin’. This alone proves that the Filipinos are literate as opposed to the Spaniards claim. EXPLANATION The first part recognizes the situation based on the text being read. The second part contains the writer’s stand on the situation presented. I- LANGUAGE ASSERTION I - Language Assertion is a statement used to express the feeling and preference of the writer. It is called I-Language because it focuses on the writer and is using the pronoun ‘I’. This type of assertion is recommended if the author wants to express negative feelings and opinion. This is best used in writing a review or reflection paper. It is composed of three parts. The first part contains the accurate information from literary work, especially the topic the writer disagrees with (When you. . .). The second part includes the effect or feeling of the writer towards the topic (It affects/I feel...). The last part includes the preference or recommendation of the writer (Therefore, I prefer/I want...). EXAMPLE Upon reading that the ancient Filipino civilization is divided into three social classes namely the ‘maharlika’, ‘timawa’ and ‘alipin’, I feel proud because of the civilization social advancement and at the same time sad because of the promulgation of social differentiation. With this finding, I want to do further research on the existence of these social classes’ stigma. EXPLANATION The example given is divided into three parts that includes the feelings and preference of the writer. Let’s Practice The regular fare in public utility jeepney has been fixed to P8.00 since the cost of gasoline in the world market has also increase. The distribution of condoms to Senior High School students has been cancelled by the Department of Health because people believe that doing so may give rise to high rate of pre-marital sex. Extra-judicial killings in the Philippines is to be blamed to the members of the Philippine National Police because they became abusive of their power and authority. Some victims were actually innocent of the crime they are accused of. Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the culture and values of the Filipinos are still in tacked. Precolonial Philippines has their own form of government and social structure. Every local community is composed of small kingdom or tribe headed by a chieftain called the ‘rajah’ or ‘datu’. Social structure also exists and is composed of three classes namely – the ‘maharlika’ or freeman, ‘timawa’ or the middle class and the ‘alipin’ or the slaves. Judicial, legislative and executive systems, also known as the branches of the government, are also present during precolonialism. The ‘datu’ formulates the law, ‘village elders’ help the datu in deciding and promulgating laws and the ‘umalohokan’ or town crier is the one who disseminates new law or ordinances. Philippines is also known as sea travellers with the use of their ‘balangay’ or Butuan boat. They also had smooth foreign relation because of the trading of minerals and goods. Literacy rate is also high because of the existence of the ‘baybayin’ or the ancient writing method. All of these advances were abolished as the Spaniards fully colonized the country. TIPS There are two (2) factors that must be considered before formulating assertion. First is to determine the type of paper you are going to write – and can either be formal or informal paper. Second is to 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. Identify the assertion made in each statement. 1. I wish I could have expressed this idea earlier because now someone else has taken the credit. 2. I understand you are busy, and I am too, but it is difficult for me to finish this project on my own. So, I want you to help me completing this project. 3. When I cannot take proper sleep, it affects my nerves and I feel irritated. Therefore, I try to go to bed earlier everyday. 4. I want to finish my work then I shall go with you. 5. When you speak harshly, I cannot work well because I feel annoyed. Therefore, could you please speak gently to me?
