MELC 6

• Claim


  An arguable statement that defines the goal of an essay
• Types of claims


  • Explicit claims
  • Implicit claims
  • Counterclaims
• Explicit claims


  Information that are clearly (directly) stated in a text
• Implicit claims


  Information that are implied, suggested, or indirectly stated in a text
• Counterclaims


  Claims made to offset or oppose the claims presented in a text, supported by evidence to disprove or rebut the claims
• Critical thinking


  Disciplined thinking which is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence
• Reasoning


  The act of giving statement for justification and explanation, the ability to defend something by giving out reasons
• Plain reading


  Reading to evaluate claims, seek definitions, judge information, demand proof, question assumptions, clarify meanings, understand
• Critical reading


  Reading to infer, evaluate claims, seek definitions, judge information, demand proof, question assumptions, clarify meanings, understand
• Evaluative statements


  Statements used to show opinions, judgments, and points of view in a clear, concise manner
• The process of formulating counterclaims

  1. Formulate assertions

  2. Formulate counterclaims
• Types of assertions


  • Assertions of fact
  • Assertions of convention
  • Assertions of opinion
  • Assertions of preference
• Assertions of fact


  Claims that can easily be verified by various sources such as direct experience, testimonies or witnesses, verified observation, or research
• Assertions of fact


  • There are about 175 languages spoken in the Philippines
  • Japan has the third largest economy in the world
  • The largest country in Western Europe is France
• Assertions of convention


  Claims that are socially accepted at a certain place during a certain period, depending on existing laws, usage, rules, customs, traditions, and norms
• Assertions of convention


  • To show respect to the elderly, the Filipinos do "Mano"
  • In Japan, bowing is used to expressed respect, gratitude, or apology
  • Maintaining eye contact is considered a sign of respect in France
• Assertions of opinion


  Claims that must have facts as their foundation, open to arguments since they are harder to verify as compared to facts
• Assertions of opinion


  • It is not fun in the Philippines anymore due to the recent increase in the crime rate
  • Some people are scared to go to Japan because of yakuza
  • France has weird laws such as posthumous marriage which allows a person to legally marry a dead person
• Assertions of preference


  Claims that are very subjective in nature, entirely based on a choice of certain person or a group of people, do not require evidence or proof as they vary from person to person
• Assertions of preference


  • There is no better place to spend your vacation at than Philippines
  • Japan has the richest and most interesting culture in Asia
  • French cuisine is the best in the world
• Hedges


  Words or phrases that minimize the negative impact of criticism stated in a counterclaim, including modal verbs, qualifying adjectives/adverbs, and tentative verbs
• Hedges


  • Could, can, may, might
  • Possibly, likely, possible, somewhat
  • Seems, indicates, suggests
• Hedges allow you to soften an absolute statement
• Hedges introduce a level of probability into your comments
• Hedges allow you to soften absolute statements