Republic of the Philippines of writing it.

So, when reading, you will need to identify arguments in order to properly
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION understand the main points.
Region I
Division of Ilocos Sur As mentioned above, argumentative texts are similar with persuasive texts where the
writer convinces readers to agree with his/her points of view, but to do that, a reader must
SELF LEARNING KIT IN ENGLISH FOR GRADE 10 clearly know the position of the writer to the issues presented on the text.
Quarter 2 Week 3
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD CLAIM
LESSON: BASIC COMPONENTS OF AN ARGUMENTATIVE TEXT
MELC: Formulate claims of fact, policy, and value. (EN10WC-IIb-13.2.)  It should be argumentative and debatable. A claim must be arguable but stated as a
fact. It must be debatable with inquiry and evidence; it is not a personal opinion or feeling.
 It should be specific and focused. Indicate specifically what the argumentative text will
The first Self Learning Kit focuses on argumentative text and its language features. These be about. Do not make an overly broad statement.
usage of these language features can help a writer or speaker come up with a grammatically  It should be interesting and engaging. You should make your claim be as provocative
correct and comprehensible argumentative essay or speech. as possible.
 It should be logical. Your claims must be supported by logical reasoning or facts.
An argumentative text is written and delivered in a form of speech to convince the
readers that the writer’s or speaker’s viewpoint is true and correct. It also aims to convince the There are three types of claim that a writer can make: fact, value, or policy. You can
readers or the listeners (the audience) to do an action – such as change or reforms, advances usually determine the type of claim by the type of question they answer about the text. Let’s get
or developments. Hence, to restate, the skill in argumentation is very useful when a person to know them.
starts a campaign or an advocacy.
1. CLAIMS OF FACT - state a quantifiable assertion, or a measurable topic. They assert that
There are three basic components of an argumentative text. These are claim, reasons something has existed, exists, or will exist based on data. They answer a “what” question.
and evidences. You are going to learn more about the components in the succeeding lessons 2. CLAIMS OF VALUE - assert something that can be qualified. They consist of arguments
but this time you need to focus your attention to the first component: The Argumentative about Moral, Philosophical, or Aesthetic topics.
Claim or the Claim 3. CLAIMS OF POLICY - posit that specific actions should be chosen as solutions to a
particular problem. They usually begin with “should,” “ought to,” or “must.” And they
A claim is also known as the central argument or thesis statement of the text. It also answer the “how” questions.
summarizes the most important thing that the writer wants to say as a result of his/her
thinking, reading, or writing. READING: Read the excerpt from the presidential address of Manuel L. Quezon delivered to
students and teachers on August 19, 1938. After reading the text, accomplish the activities that
follow in your activity notebook or activity sheets.
The most important part of a text is the claim. The claim defines the paper’s direction and
scope, thus, the quality and complexity of reading depend on the claim. Furthermore, it is what “THE POLICIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND REGENERATION OF
the writer tries to rove in the text by providing details, explanations, and other types of THE FILIPINO by Manuel L. Quezon”
evidence. As such, it is usually found in the introduction or in the first few paragraphs of the (An excerpt)
text. National strength can only be built on character. A nation is nothing more nor less than its
Here are some questions to help you determine the writer’s claim while you are reading a citizenry. It is the people that make up the nation and, therefore, it cannot be stronger than its
text: component parts. Their weakness is its failings, their strength its power. Show me a people
1) What is the author’s main point? composed of vigorous, sturdy individuals, of men and women healthy in mind and body;
2) What is the author’s position regarding it? courteous, brave, industrious, self-reliant; purposeful in thought as well as in action; imbued
with sound patriotism and a profound sense of righteousness; with high social ideals and a
The two questions above will help you in determining the writer’s claim. The first question strong moral fiber; and I will show you a great nation, a nation that will not be submerged, a
will help you understand why the author is writing the text and help you identify his/her purpose nation that will emerge victorious from the trials and bitter strives of a distracted world, a nation
that will live forever, sharing the common task of advancing the welfare and promoting the universally and constantly observed, that our children may breathe it in the air and feel it in their
happiness of mankind. very flesh.
We are engaged in the epic task of building our nation, to live and flourish, not for a day
but for all time. We must find the flaws, if there be any, in our concept of individual and ACTIVITY 1
community life, as well as in our character, and proceed at once to remedy them. Directions: Answer briefly but substantially what is asked about the previous text.
I have an abiding faith in our people. I know that they have all the faculties needed to
become a powerful and enlightened nation. The Filipino is not inferior to any man of any race. 1. What are the different qualities of Filipinos according the former president’s speech?
His physical, intellectual, and moral qualities are as excellent as those of the proudest stock of 2. Explain how character builds national strength.
mankind. But some of these qualities, I am constrained to admit, have become dormant in 3. How does former President Manuel L. Quezon’s speech reflect his leadership?
recent years. If we compare our individual and civic traits with those that adorned our 4. What are the different qualities of Filipinos according the former president’s speech?
forefathers, we will find, I fear, that we, the Filipinos of today, have lost much of the moral 5. Why did the former president want Filipinos to be like a molave?
strength and power for growth of our ancestors. They were strong-willed, earnest, adventurous
people. They had traditions potent in influence in their lives, individually and collectively. They ACTIVITY 2
had the courage to be pioneers, to brave the seas, clear the forest and erect towns and cities Directions: Identifying claims. Identify each statement taken from or inspired by the speech of
upon the wilderness. They led a life of toil and communal service. Each one considered himself the late President Manuel Quezon as a claim of fact, value, or policy.
an active part of the body politic. But those traditions are either lost or forgotten. They exist only
as a hazy-mist in our distant past. We must revive them, for we need the anchorage of these 1. National strength can be built on character.
traditions to guide and sustain us in the proper discharge of our political and social obligations. 2. The Filipinos of the past became strong-willed, earnest, and adventurous by necessity:
He shows a failing in that superb courage which impels action because it is right, even at They had to brave the seas, clear the forest, and erect town and cities upon the
the cost of self-sacrifice. His greatest fear is not to do wrong, but of being caught doing wrong. wilderness in order to establish communities.
He is frivolous in his view of life. His conception of virtue is many times conventional. He takes 3. To ensure the accomplishment of this task of national spiritual reconstruction, we shall
his religion lightly. He thinks that lipservice and profession are equivalent to deep and abiding formulate and adopt a social code that can be explained in the schools, preached from the
faith. He is inconstant; he lacks perseverance; the first obstacles baffle him, and he easily pulpits, and taught in the streets and plazas, and in the remotest corners of our land.
admits defeat. The patriotism of many Filipinos of today is skin-deep, incapable of inspiring 4. Teachers are in the best position to inculcate this social code in the youth because they
heroic deeds. There are those who are apt to compromise with ethical principles and to regard are in the most contact with them during their formative years at school.
truth as not incompatible with misrepresentation or self-deceit. 5. Filipinos nowadays are more selfish than they were in the past.
This appraisal of the character of our people today may sound too severe. You will realize
that I would be happier if I could only shower praise upon my countrymen. But my responsibility
as head of this Nation compels me to face and state facts, however disagreeable they may be
to me or to our people, for it is only thus that we can remedy existing evils that threaten to
destroy the vitality and vigor of the race. Because I have not lost faith that there is, within us, all
the spiritual and moral forces needed for the building of a great nation, I am ruthless in pointing
out our present shortcomings. Our task—it is a heroic task—is to awaken and apply these
faculties so that our people should become what of right they should be: morally strong, virile,
hard-working, refined, enterprising, persevering, public-spirited.
I want our people to grow and be like the molave, strong and resilient, rising on the
hillside, unafraid of the raging flood, the lightning or the storm, confident of sits own strength. If
we have the will to survive and the will to achieve social efficiency, we cannot delay this task of
spiritual regeneration. Let us begin to mold the typical Filipino. To insure the accomplishment of
this task of national spiritual reconstruction, we shall formulate and adopt a social code—a code
of ethics and personal conduct—a written Bushido—that can be explained in the schools,
preached from the pulpits, and taught in the streets and plazas, and in the remotest corners of
our land. We shall indoctrinate every man, woman, and child in its precepts. By every means
and power at my command, I shall strive to enforce its principles and to require that they be so