Overview
This lesson explains how to formulate and recognize statements of opinion and assertion, providing examples and signal words to help distinguish between them.
Understanding Opinion and Assertion
- An opinion is a statement based on personal feelings, preferences, or beliefs and cannot be proven true or false.
- Signal words for opinions include: "I think," "I believe," "in my opinion," "it seems," "should," "best," "worst," "beautiful."
- An assertion is a confident statement of fact or belief, which can be somewhat true or somewhat false and may be proven or disproven.
- Assertions do not use phrases like "I think" or "I believe" and are presented as factual, even if they are debatable.
Examples and Applications
- "Filipinos become cautious with their health during this pandemic" is an assertion.
- "I think eating banana keeps you away from coronavirus" is an opinion.
- Statement: "The article about COVID-19 cases is the worst I've read" is an opinion (uses 'worst').
- Statement: "COVID-19 cases in Zamboanga City are increasing through contact with other inmates" is an assertion.
- More opinions: "My last summer is the best summer ever," "I think my car payments are too expensive," "I think orange is the brightest color."
- More assertions: "Art lives a human spirit," "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," "New York offers diversified opportunities for a person's career," "People nowadays have become cruel to animals."
Differentiating Key Points
- Opinions are based on emotions and preferences; cannot be objectively proven.
- Assertions declare something as true; may or may not actually be true.
- Opinions often start with subjective phrases; assertions are direct statements.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Opinion — a personal belief or feeling that cannot be proved true or false.
- Assertion — a confident statement of fact or belief that may be proved or disproved.
- Signal Words — phrases that indicate a statement is an opinion (e.g., "I believe," "should," "best").
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice categorizing statements as opinions or assertions.
- Read assigned articles and identify sample opinions and assertions.
- Review signal words commonly used for opinions.