FORMULATING EVALUATIVE STATEMENTS, ASSERTIONS, AND COUNTERCLAIMS

EVALUATIVE STATEMENT

• It is a statement that states one’s sound judgement about something through writing which is supported by reason and evidence.

• It also presents the strengths and weaknesses of something based on a set of criteria which needs to be factual, substantial, and unbiased.

HOW TO FORMULATE AN EVALUATIVE STATEMENT?

• Begin with the positive before you point out the negative.

• Give suggestions and solutions.

• Be concise and precise.

• Be careful with your words.

FOR EXAMPLE:

You (the writer/poet) were able to compose an impressive poem. It has a good physical and grammatical arrangement of words. Moreover, the theme is timely and relevant which can give hope to the readers in this time of pandemic, especially the use of dove as the shape of its structure which matches the message of the poem. When it comes to the elements, you added figurative languages and imagery that stir up and startle readers’ imagination. However, the rhyme of your poem is forced and it seems that some words are chosen for the sake of having a rhyming effect that somehow affects the connection between the readers and the poem. With this, you should be careful in choosing the appropriate words to be used that best express meanings and emotions. Rhyming must not compromise the meaning and the impact of a poem. ​

ASSERTION

• An assertion is the controlling idea of your argument.

• It is a confident and forceful statement of fact or belief.

• It is a stylistic approach or technique involving a strong declaration, a forceful or confident, and a positive statement regarding a belief or a fact.

“ARE” 

• A is for Assertion: Assert by discussing, judging, and deciding an opinion on the aspect of any text.

• R is for Reason: Find a reason that strongly supports the assertion.

• E is for Evidence: Find evidence from the text that directly supports the reason.

FOR EXAMPLE

I admire your courage! You stood up for me when I was bullied. You were not afraid to defend me around those bullies.

• Assertion: I admire your courage!

• Reason: You stood up for me when I was bullied.

• Evidence: You were not afraid to defend me around those bullies.

COUNTERCLAIM

• Formulated to rebut a claim

• Provides a contrasting perspective to the main argument.

Tiongson (2016) gave the following questions that can help you formulate a counterclaim:

• What are the major points on which you and the author can disagree?

• What is their strongest argument? What did they say to defend their position?

• What are the weaknesses or shortcomings in their argument?

HEDGE

• A word or phrase that minimizes the negative impact of criticism.

• It is used to give a courteous tone in your writing.

TYPES OF HEDGES

• Introductory verbs

  • seems

  • tends

  • look like

  • appears to be

  • think

  • believe

• Modal Adverbs

  • possibly

  • perhaps

  • conceivably

• Certain lexical verbs

  • believe

  • assume

  • suggest

• That Clauses

  • It could be the case that…

  • It might be suggested that…

  • There is every hope that…

FOR EXAMPLE:

Scientists must use scientific evidence to increase the legitimacy for their stance.​

With Hedge:

Scientists may possibly use scientific evidence to increase the legitimacy for their stance.

ARGUMENT

• It is not a fight; it is an assertion of the merits of your claim based on specific of evidence

EVIDENCE

• It is a proof in support of the argument presented.

• facts, statistics, expert’s testimony, research findings

TYPES OF EVIDENCE

• Logos (Logic)

  • It depends on logic or reason; hence, it is considered as an appeal to the intellect.

  • Statistics refer to figures or numerical values

  • Facts are information proven to be true.

• Ethos (Ethics)

  • It refers to the trustworthiness, credibility, or reliability of the writer. Hence, the writer’s authority or expertise in the field lends his/her text credibility.

• Pathos (Emotion)

  • It refers to an emotional appeal.

  • It is a persuasion technique which touches on the reader’s emotions. An emotional appeal enhances an argument.