Basic Assertion in Academic Writing

Types of Assertions

• I-Language Assertion: Focuses on the writer, using the pronoun 'I', recommended for expressing negative feelings and opinions, and best used in writing reviews or reflection papers.
• Three-part structure: 1) Accurate information from literary work, 2) Effect or feeling of the writer, 3) Preference or recommendation of the writer.
• Example: Upon reading that the ancient Filipino civilization is divided into three social classes, I feel proud and sad, and I want to do further research on the stigma of these social classes.

Basic Assertion

• Definition: A statement used to express the writer's feelings, beliefs, and opinions directly.
• Usage: Usually used in writing formal papers like thesis and dissertation.
• Example: The Philippines has an advanced civilization before the colonization of Spain, with evidence including form and branches of government, social structure, and the existence of ancient writing.

Emphatic Assertion

• Definition: A statement used to express empathy or understanding of the feelings and emotions of the literary author.
• Usage: Can be used in writing formal or informal papers.
• Two-part structure: 1) Statement recognizing the situation or feelings of the characters, 2) Writer's stand on the situation.
• Example: I know that the Philippines had a system of writing called the 'baybayin', which proves that the Filipinos are literate, opposed to the Spaniards' claim.