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English
Quarter 2 – Module 1:
Formulating a Statement of Opinion or
Assertion by Identifying Key Structural
Elements and Language Features of an
Argumentative Text
English – Grade 10
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 2 – Module 1: Formulating a Statement of Opinion or Assertion by Identifying
Key Structural Elements and Language Features of an Argumentative Text
First Edition, 2020

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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written for the learners. After going
through this module, the learner is expected to:
1. Identify key structural elements and language features of an
argumentative text
2. Use modals verbs and adverbs correctly in writing argumentative
text/essay
3. Write an argumentative text/essay applying its correct elements and
language features

What I Know

The following are key terms in writing argumentative text. Match the
words in column A with its correct definition in column B. Write the letter of
the correct answers on a separate sheet of paper.

A B

______1. Argument A. introduces the problem, states the

claim and gives background
information needed for the argument
______2. Exposition B. point or statement in opposition to
the argument being made
______3. Claim C. the process of disproving an opposing
argument
______4. Thesis Statement D. restates the main claim and
summarizes the arguments
______5. Introduction E. the main argument or the primary
point to support or prove an argument
______6. Rebuttal F. contains the supporting facts or
details
______7. Body G. point or statement that supports
one’s ideas

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______8. Conclusion H. presents the main idea and makes an
assertion about the topic/issue
______9. Pro-argument I. involves the process of establishing a
claim and then proving it with the use
of logical reasoning, examples, and
research
______10. Counter-argument J. a detailed description or explanation
of a topic

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 Lesson Identifying Key Structural

1 Elements and Language Features

of an Argumentative Text

Identifying elements of argumentative text tests our understanding,

awareness and analysis of the ideas, information, evidence, and issues
presented.

What’s In

Locate the elements of an argumentative text in the essay below. On

your paper, write a list of the elements/parts and write the specific paragraph
or specific sentence in the paragraph where it can be found. Write your
answers on a separate sheet of paper.

The New York Times study shows that 9 out of 12 girls are
pressured to have a perfect body (1). Many girls around the world
Paragraph 1 are pressured to have thin thighs, rounded buttocks, and a slim
waist (2). That is what society today thinks every girl’s body
should look like (3). Girls are too pressured to have a perfect
body because of self-esteem, influence and bullying (4).
First, girls are constantly looking for people to boost up their
self-esteem (1). They post their pictures on social media for an
Paragraph 2 instant response on how perfect they are (2). Girls want an
instant response on their body or beauty (3). According to Teen
Magazine, 27% of young girls alone feel media pressures them
to have a perfect body (4). If you ask mostly any girl, it does make
them feel good when they have a lot of likes or comments on
their pictures (5). In the end, girls are constantly looking for
others to boost up their self-esteem (6).
Secondly, girls are always looking at celebrities in the
magazine in awe of their perfect bodies when really, they are all
Paragraph 3 photo-shopped (1). According to World News, 69% of girls feel
that magazines influence their bodies and how they should look
(2). Girls should not feel pressured to have to go to school in
shame of what their body type is (3). Some celebrities do not
photo-shop (4). Miley Cyrus is an example; she is a very
empowering woman and she hardly ever gets her pictures photo-
shopped (5). On one of her photos she did not want her armpit

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 hair photo-shopped out of the picture because she is a human
and nor perfect (6). Girls should not compare themselves to
celebrities (7).
Others believe, girls are not pressured to have perfect bodies
Paragraph 4 because there are so many female empowerment groups in the
world (1). For example, Girl Scouts of America, GirlStart and Girl
Talk are programs focused on empowering girls (2). However, we
would not have a need of these programs if girls were not feeling
pressured, especially from bullies (3). According to World News,
20% of girls ages 10-19 experience major depressions (4). Many
girls do not want to go to school because they get called “fat” or
“too skinny” (5). Girls should not be pressured to have a perfect
body because people put that pressure on them (6).
Girls should never feel pressured to have a perfect body
Paragraph 5 because of self-esteem, celebrity influence, or bullying (1). Many
girls end their lives due to their body structure (2). We need to
stop pressuring girls and start supporting them (3)!

What’s New

Read the short text/essay below then annotate the different parts of
each paragraph. The annotation key is in the left of each paragraph, then
answer the questions on the right. Write your answers on a separate sheet of
paper.
Introduction: When you eat something, do you really
know what you are putting in your body?
Underline Even though something may be healthy, it What is this
sentences could be full of GMOs! A GMO, or essay all about?
that explain genetically modified organism is any
the topic organism that has DNA altered. For
example, chickens can be bred to lay eggs
with stronger shells or fruits and
Circle the vegetables can resist pests naturally. Is this essay
thesis Some people see only these benefits, but informative or
statement. they aren’t looking at the dangers involved argumentative?
in making GMOs. People should be aware
of the dangers of GMOs so that they know
to avoid them.

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 What is It

Key Structural Elements of an Argumentative Text/Essay

Introduction
- introduces the problem, states the claim and gives
background information needed for the argument
- has an attention getting hook

Body
- provides any information your reader needs to know
to understand your claim
- contains the supporting facts or details (examples,
statistics, personal experiences or researches)

Thesis Statement
- a short statement that summarizes the main claim or
point/ main idea of an essay supported by reasons
and evidence

Claim
- an argument based on facts and reasoning

Evidence
- personal experiences, definitions, facts, research,
data, quotes from an authority in the field, or
statistical graphs which tend to support or prove
something

Refutation/Rebuttal
- an opposing argument that seeks to prove your
opinion or claim is false

Conclusion
- the final section of your paper that clearly summarizes
the points made and is supported by evidence

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 Language Features of an Argumentative Text/Essay

Modal verbs and adverbs

The table below contains verbs and adverbs that you can use to express
the different degrees of certainty or modality of your opinions or argument. It
also provides you with some examples of how to structure your sentence to
use these words in your writing.

Certainty of Modal Verbs/Adverbs Statement of Claim

Conclusion

Strong is, will, cannot, must, undoubtedly, It is certain that...

always, never, definitely, clearly It seems clear that...
X is definitely...

Moderate should, would, can, ought to, tends It appears probable...

to, usually, likely, probably, It is usually the case
regularly, majority, generally, often, that... In the majority of
frequently, rarely cases...
The results suggest it is
likely that...

Tentative May, might, could, possible, Conceivably,...

conceivable, sometimes, It is possible that...
occasionally, seldomly, perhaps, Occasionally,...
maybe, uncertainly, minority It may be the case that...

Here are some examples of modality use in academic writing:

It seems likely that a species leaf structural Low modality - rather than
characteristics influence their seasonal water- 'it is the case', the author is
tissue relations because…… less certain, 'it seems likely
it is the case'.
Technology assessment can be an effective tool More moderate expression
to analyze the effect of a technology on social of opinion than saying 'is'.
and environmental issues, yet in practice it can
be used to formalize and legitimize previously
decided outcomes.
Legal aid, by providing representation and Modality lowered through
individual legal advice has the potential to the use of 'has the potential
mitigate some of the entrenched inequality in to' rather than merely 'it
regards to access to justice. mitigates’.
The large-scale treatment plant is the most The opinion expressed in
desirable option to provide for the processing this sentence is strong,
and treatment of wastewater for a 20 000 however, it is more
person population. moderate than saying '…is
the only appropriate
option…’

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 Ultimately, your opinion in academic writing must be based on the
evidence you have collected. The level of modality used to express your
opinion must match the level of certainty provided by your evidence. It might
be appropriate to make a high modality claim because evidence, from multiple
sources, backs up your opinion. Therefore, adjust the certainty or modality
you use to present your argument according to the quality and amount of
evidence supporting it.

What’s More

Fill in the blank with the correct modal verb to be used to complete the
argumentative text/paragraph below. Write your answers on a separate sheet
of paper.

can might will

could must would
may should ought to

Argumentative Text 1

Throw out the bottles and boxes of drugs in your house. A new theory
suggests that medicine (1). _________ be bad for your health, which (2.)
_________ at least come as good news to people who cannot afford to buy
expensive medicine. This new theory argues that healing is at our fingertips:
we (3). _________ be healthy by doing exercise on a regular basis.

Argumentative Text 2

What (4). _________ you think if you had to put your personal belongings
in a crate, and every time you turn around something of yours was stolen?
That is why I think students (5). _________ have lockers to protect their things,
keep their thing somewhere clean, and so they won’t have to complain about
carrying everything at once.

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Argumentative Text 3

The problem lies in the difference of children raised by single parents

versus children raised by both a mother and a father. Does a child need both
parents? Does a young boy need a father figure around? Does the government
provide help for single parents? What role do step-parents and step-siblings
play? With much speculation, this topic has become a very intriguing
argument. What people (6)._________ understand is that properly raising a
child does not rely on the structure of a family but (7)._________ be more
focused on the process or values that are taught to these children as they
learn to mature. Children of single parents (8) ________ be just as progressive
with emotional, social, and behavioral skills as those with two parents.

Argumentative Text 4

With the advancement in technology, we believe that smartphones (9).

________ be used in classrooms. They offer students and teacher instant
access to any and all information. Of course, they (10). ________(not) be used
during tests, quizzes or other activities that (11). ________ be considered
cheating. Therefore, they ________ only be used during the lecture. It
(12).________ make taking notes in class a brass and for those students who
want to ace the class, they (13).________ be able to access the lecture if they
recorded it at a later time and review materials.

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 What I Can Do

Start writing your argumentative text/essay by using the Graphic

Organizer below. Make sure to apply the key elements of an argumentative
text and use its language features correctly.

Paragraph#1 – Introduction

➢ Attention-grabbing beginning-
➢ Description of issue –
➢ Opinion Statement –

Paragraph # 2 Paragraph # 3 Paragraph # 4

Reason #1 – Reason #2 – Reason #2 –

Evidence to support Evidence to support Evidence to support

(details and examples) (details and examples) (details and examples)
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - -

Paragraph #5 – Conclusion

➢ Restate opinion -
➢ Summarize 3 reasons -
➢ Call to action or closing statement -

Topic:

“Online Class or Face-to-Face this school year?”

Note: Use the graphic organizer above for your first draft.

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 What I Have Learned

Warm-up activity for Argumentative Text/essay writing.

Consider the argument:

People all over the world use Facebook for many useful purposes.
However, it can cause several negative effects.

I. Brainstorming

Benefits of Facebook Drawbacks of Facebook

II. Planning (Introduction, Body, Conclusion)

III. Drafting, Revising and Editing

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 Assessment

Read and answer the questions carefully. Write the letter of the correct
answers on a separate sheet of paper.

______1. What is the purpose of a claim?

A. To show both sides of an argument
B. To show which side of the argument I am on
C. To show why the other side is wrong
D. All of the above

______ 2. What is the purpose of a rebuttal?

A. To introduce what my paper will be about
B. To prove that the opposing side is wrong
C. To summarize all of my ideas
D. To provide background information

______3. Which of the following are considered as supporting details to your

claim?
A. Facts
B. Personal experiences
C. Researches
D. All of the above

______4. I believe that college students should control all of their own finances
because they possess the intellectual capability and emotional maturity to do
so.
This is Iza's _____ statement.
A. Position
B. Evidence
C. Reason
D. Counter claim

______5. What are the three main parts of an argumentative text/essay?

A. Lead, Thesis statement, Conclusion
B. Introduction, Body, Conclusion
C. Claim, Counterclaim, Rebuttal
D. Lead, Facts, Rebuttal

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 Additional Activities

Using a Movie Maker Application or program, create a COMMERCIAL

stating your Thesis Statement and claims about the topic/issue “COVID 19:
No to Face-to-Face Class this School Year” that would convince someone to
take your side of the argument.

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Assessment What can I Do What I have
Learned
1. B Answers may
2. B vary Answers may
3. D vary
4. C
5. B
Independent Act. 1 What’s New What's In What I Know
1. Could GMOs Answers may vary 1. I
2. Should 2. J
3. Can 3. E
4. Would 4. H
5. Should Argumentative 5. A
6. Must Essay 6. C
7. Should 7. F
8. Can 8. D
9. Should 9. G
10. Can’t 10. B
11. Could
12. should
13. would
14. would
Answer Key
References
Book:

Jordon, R. R. (1990). Academic Writing Course. Writing in an Academic Style.

Edinburgh: Nelson Study Skills in English and Learning Assistance
Centre, University of Sydney

Websites:

[Link]

[Link]
e-essay-quiz

[Link]
cards/

[Link]
Opinion-Essay-Extension-Activities-

[Link]
[Link]#

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