ENGLISH REVIEWER GRADE 9 Q4

Week 1:

Relevance is how appropriate something is to what is being said at a given time.

Tips on How to Spot Factual or Truthful Information

1. CONSIDER THE SOURCE. Investigate the site you are viewing or reading.

2. READ BEYOND. Headlines can be outrageous in an effort to get clicks, so you should focus on the
whole story. You have to read and look for details such as statistics, date, name, etc.

3. CHECK THE AUTHOR. Do a quick search on the author to find out if they are real and credible.
4. VERIFY SUPPORTING SOURCES. Determine if the given information actually supports the story.

5. CHECK THE DATE. Reposting old news stories does not mean they’re relevant to current events. It
should be updated.

6. CHECK YOUR BIASES. Consider if your own beliefs could affect your judgement

“Relevance” means importance.

“Soundness” is the quality of being sensible, reasonable or rational.

EVIDENCE is the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true
or valid.

Here are the steps in analyzing and evaluating the validity of evidence:
WEEK 3:

What is an Opinion?
An opinion is a personal belief or feeling about something. It is subjective, meaning it is based on
individual preferences or feelings, and does not require evidence to back it up.

For example:

• “I believe chocolate is the best flavor of ice cream."

What is an Argument?
An argument, on the other hand, is a claim supported by evidence. When making an argument, you not
only state your point of view, but you also explain why you believe it, using facts or reasoning to back it
up.

For example:

• "Chocolate is the best flavor of ice cream because it has a rich taste, and studies show that cocoa
can improve mood."

Why is the Difference Important?

•
When we talk about important topics like politics, social issues, or school rules, it's important to
know if we're sharing an opinion or making an argument. Opinions are personal and valid, but
arguments help us explain our point with reasons and facts, making it easier to convince others
and make decisions.
An argument tries to convince us that something is true. Keep in mind that an argument to be
considered one has to consist of: 1) conclusion and 2) premise. The conclusion is the idea we are
convinced to believe, and premise is the support or reason showing that the conclusion is true. An
argument may be supported with more than one premise
There are some words or phrases that may serve as your cue words in determining conclusions and
premises. Note that the list is not limited to these and although their use helps indicate the conclusion
and premise, they are not a requirement. However, their use helps you form a coherent statement in
expressing your argument.

Conclusion Indicators

therefore, hence, implies that, it follows that, so, thus, consequently

Premise Indicators

since, for, given that, for the reason that, because, as, is shown by the fact that
Examples:

1. Premise: Since regular exercise improves heart health and reduces stress, Conclusion: therefore,
everyone should include physical activity in their daily routine.

2. Premise: Given that social media helps people stay connected and informed, Conclusion: it follows
that it plays an important role in modern communication.
3. Premise: Because reading books enhances vocabulary and critical thinking skills, Conclusion: thus,
students should develop a habit of reading regularly

4 Types of fallacy
WEEK 4:
PROS - -an argument in favor of a claim or advantage regarding something

CONS - an argument against a claim or disadvantage regarding something

In an argumentative essay, your job is to make the reader agree with your opinion about a controversial
topic. You have to (1) state your opinion, (2) give reasons to support your opinion, and (3) argue
against the opposite opinion.

Overall, you must convince the audience that your side of the argument is correct. To convince the
audience, your essay must be balanced—it must include your viewpoint and the opposing viewpoint, or
counterargument. Even though you are arguing only one side of an issue, you must think about what
the other side would say about your opinion. After you give the counterargument, you must refute it by
showing that it is wrong. If your essay is balanced, a reader is more likely to agree with you.

The most common type of argumentative essay has six paragraphs. Like all essays, it begins with an
introduction and ends with a conclusion. In between are the body paragraphs where you must do
three things: support your opinion, present the opposing point of view, and tell why that viewpoint is
wrong. A good argumentative essay attempts to persuade readers to understand and support your
point of view about a topic by stating your reasoning and providing evidence to back it up.
The following are the five types of argument claims that can drive your essay:

1. Fact – whether the statement is true or false

2. Definition – the dictionary definition of what you’re arguing, plus your own personal interpretation of
it

3. Value – the importance of what you’re arguing

4. Cause and effect – what causes the problem and what effects it has

5. Policy – why you should care and what you should do about it after reading
At this point, you may now have some ideas on how to write an argumentative essay. Here are the
structures of a good argumentative essay.

1. Introductory Paragraph - The first paragraph of your essay should outline the hook as the first
sentence that serves to capture reader’s attention and help them decide if they want to continue
reading your text. Provide background information necessary to understand your argument, outline the
evidence you will present, and state your thesis. Thesis Statement - This is part of your first paragraph. It
is a concise, one-sentence summary of your main point and claim. It’s the most important part of your
argumentative essay. To write a thesis statement, be guided by the following steps.
● Turn the topic into a question and answer it. Set up a big question in the title of your essay or within
the first few sentences. Then, build up to answering that question in your thesis statement.

● State an argument and then refute it. Introduce an idea that contrasts with your belief and
immediately explain why you disagree with it.

● Briefly outline your main points. Introduce your main points and explain how you’ll back it up.
2. Body paragraphs. A typical argumentative essay comprises three or more paragraphs that explain the
reasons why you support the thesis. Each body paragraph should cover a different idea or piece of
evidence and contain a topic sentence that clearly and concisely explains why the reader should agree
with your position. Body paragraphs are where you back up your claims with examples, research,
statistics, studies, and text citations. Address opposing points of view and disprove them or explain why
you disagree with them. Presenting facts and considering a topic from every angle add credibility and
will help you gain a reader’s trust.
3. Conclusion. It is a one paragraph that restates your thesis and summarizes all of the arguments made
in your body paragraphs. Rather than introducing new facts or more arguments, a good conclusion will
appeal to reader’s emotions. In some cases, you will use a personal anecdote explaining how the topic
personally affects you.

WEEK 5:

ISSUE is a subject that people discuss or argue about.

SOCIAL ISSUE is a group of common problems in present-day society that many people strive to solve.
Examples: overpopulation, gender inequality, poverty and homelessness

MORAL ISSUE concerns the internal - your own values, beliefs, feelings, and learnings that are often
subjective and concern yourself to discover your own morality. It has the potential to help or harm
others. Examples: corruption, manipulation, prostitution, extra marital and pre-marital relationship, and
physical and mental abuses

ECONOMIC ISSUE is that being faced by the world economy, as well as regions and countries. Examples:
prospects for growth, inflation, energy and the environment, inequality, labor issues, emerging markets,
and the impact of new technologies
WEEK 6:
4 Factors Characterizing Social Problem or Issue

1. The society must recognize the situation as a problem.

3. A large segment of the population recognizes the problem as a valid concern.

4. The problem can be rectified or alleviated through the joint action of citizens and/ or community
resources.

The following tips on how one can take a stand are suggested by Yourope, a non-governmental
organization (NGO) in Europe, on their “Take a Stand” awareness campaign for civic engagement
launched in 2017.

1. SPEAK UP! Engage yourself! Make an effort to express yourself honestly and freely.
2. TOLERATE AND RESPECT. Keep an open mind! Other cultures and their beliefs must be acknowledged
and respected. Support constructive integration and start a conversation where it’s needed!

3. BE OPEN-MINDED. Explore the world, find out other cultures, listen to foreign music, watch foreign
films, read books, experience world cuisine, and strive to understand other people’s beliefs and
perspectives.

4. SHOW SOLIDARITY! Show unity with minorities and assist those who need assistance. Volunteer and
participate in charitable programs. We are stronger when we work together.

5. BE ACTIVE! Don’t keep your mouth shut! Raise your voice and use it for good