Evaluating and Making Judgement About a Range of Texts Using a Set of Criteria

Developing students’ evaluative judgement is vital to enable them to enhance their

work and to address their future learning needs. According to Sadler (2013), through a range
of activities and tasks which require student to examine and interact with examples of work
of varying quality, the teacher can help learners improve strategies for refining their own
judgment.

What’s New
An argumentative piece of writing is sometimes called persuasive
writing because it aims to convince the reader about a certain stand
on a debatable issue.

Argumentative essays convey opinions that are proposed as true and justifiable. It is
for this reason that an editorial is the most outstanding example of argumentative writing,
although persuasion is also really identified in campaign speeches or even print
advertisements.

A controversial issue always lies at the heart of an argumentative essay. The

argument
maybe in favor of (pro) or against (con)
the

When evaluating an argument always refer to its basic

components
 The claim ( Typically answer the question:” What do I think)
 The reasons (Typically answer the question:” Why do I think so)
 The evidence (Typically answer the question:” How do I know this is the case?”)

Just think about the suggested organization for a classic argument

1. Introduction: Give the context and background of your issue. Establish the style, tone
and significance of your issue.
2. State your case: Classify your issue here. Give any necessary background for
understanding the issues. Define important terms or conditions here.
3. Proposition: State your central proposition. Be sure that your hook presents an issue that
is open to debate. Present the subtopics or supportive points to forcast your argument for
your reader.
4. Refutation: Analyze the opposition’s argument and summarize it; refute or address the
points; point out faulty reasoning and inappropriate appeals.
5. Substantiation and proof: Present and develop your own case. Carefully plan your
disclosure: avoid logical fallacies. Rely primarily on reasoning for your appeal and use
emotional appeals carefully; use examples; facts, experts and statistics. Develop your
argument using the appropriate prose strategy, e.g. causal analysis, comparison, analogies
or definitions.
6. Conclusion: Conclude with conviction. Review your main points and state your claims
strongly. Make strong plea for action, or invite your readers to refute your argument.
Source:https://www.umgc.edu/current-students/learning-resources/writing-
center/online-guide-to-writing/tutorial/chapter8/ch8 09.html#:~:text=Suggested
%20Organization%20for%20a%20Classic,Case%3A%20Clarify%20your%20issue
%20here.&text=Present%20the%20subtopics%20or%20supportive,your
%20argument%20for%20your%20readers.

1
 What’s In
Task 2 - Read and Decide!
Here’s a poem that will inspire you to make a right choice in life. Read
carefully and look for important points in dealing with your choice.

The Road Not Taken

Robert Frost
Two roads divereged in a yellow wood. And both that morning equally lay
And sorry I could not travel both In leaves no step had trodden back
And be one traveler, long I stood Oh, I kept the first for another day!
And looked down one as far as I could Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
To where it bent in the undergrowth. I doubted if I should ever come back.

Then took the other, as just as fair, I shall be telling this with a sigh
And having perhaps the better claim, Somewhere ages and ages hence;
Because it was grassy and wanted wear: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
Though as for that the passing there I took the one less traveled by
Had worn them really about the same. And that has made all the difference.

Task 3 - React to the Max

A. Break the chain and answer the
following comprehension questions.

What’s New
An argumentative piece of writing is sometimes called persuasive writing because it
aims to convince the reader about a certain stand on a debatable issue.

Argumentative essays convey opinions that are proposed as true and justifiable. It is
for this reason that an editorial is the most outstanding example of argumentative writing,

2
although persuasion is also really identified in campaign speeches or even print
advertisements.
A controversial issue always lies at the heart of an argumentative essay. The
argument maybe in favor of (pro) or
against (con) the said issue.

When evaluating an argument always refer to its basic

components
 The claim ( Typically answer the question:” What do I think)
 The reasons (Typically answer the question:” Why do I think so)
 The evidence (Typically answer the question:” How do I know this is the case?”)

Just think about the suggested organization for a classic argument

1. Introduction: Give the context and background of your issue. Establish the style, tone
and significance of your issue.
2. State your case: Classify your issue here. Give any necessary background for
understanding the issues. Define important terms or conditions here.
3. Proposition: State your central proposition. Be sure that your hook presents an issue that
is open to debate. Present the subtopics or supportive points to forcast your argument for
your reader.
4. Refutation: Analyze the opposition’s argument and summarize it; refute or address the
points; point out faulty reasoning and inappropriate appeals.
5. Substantiation and proof: Present and develop your own case. Carefully plan your
disclosure: avoid logical fallacies. Rely primarily on reasoning for your appeal and use
emotional appeals carefully; use examples; facts, experts and statistics. Develop your
argument using the appropriate prose strategy, e.g. causal analysis, comparison, analogies
or definitions.
6. Conclusion: Conclude with conviction. Review your main points and state your claims
strongly. Make strong plea for action, or invite your readers to refute your argument.
Source:https://www.umgc.edu/current-students/learning-resources/writing-center/online-
guide-to-writing/tutorial/chapter8/ch8 09.html#:~:text=Suggested%20Organization%20for
%20a%20Classic,Case%3A%20Clarify%20your%20issue%20here.&text=Present%20the
%20subtopics%20or%20supportive,your%20argument%20for%20your%20readers.

Task 4 - Focus and Hit!

Now that you’ve learned about the features of an argument, read the article and answer the
questions that follow.

Your Choice, Your Consequence

By Michelle-Roy, Utah

Our choices and decisions guide our lives and build our futures. Whether
people notice these or not, the choices we make today affect our tomorrow. I believe
in the freedom of choice.
The choices we make today, whether big or small will forever affect our
future. Once a choice has been made, the actions play out, and the consequence is
delivered; we have to live with those consequences.
Your choice, your consequence; you choose whether or not you go to school,
believe in a religion, make an honest living, and so much more. Your personal choice

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 leads to your personal consequence. For example, you choose not to go to school,
you don’t receive an education, you can’t get a decent job or career, and you face
money troubles the rest of your life. The choices we make guide our lives and shape
us into the person that we choose to be. We control our own lives, no one can make
our decisions for us, and the ultimate choice to live our lives lies within ourselves.
I think that people tend to forget about or ignore the freedom that they have to
make choices for themselves and decide what kind of life they wish to live. People let society
tell them what they should be and what they should do, but it shouldn’t be this way. We all
have hopes, wishes, and dreams, and we are entitled to achieve them. Think of our very
own United States Constitution; freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and hundreds of
other freedoms that we as Americans and human beings have. The choices are ours to
make, and we as a civilization have to be strong enough to stand up for what we believe in
and make the choices that best suit us personally instead of making our choices solely to
make others happy.
I can say from experience that I have made plenty of choices based on what I
thought other people wanted, and I can honestly say those are the decisions I regret the
most. I resent living with regrets based of choices I made to satisfy other people, I now
realize that I have the freedom and right to make choices for myself. I realize that my
choices are my own, and I realize that the consequences of my decisions will also be my
own, and I will live with those consequences with no regret, and because of this, I will be
happy with my choices.
The definition of right and wrong differs from person to person; it is up to each person
individually to have their own morals and standards and make choices based on those
morals and standards. Every person needs to be brave enough to make their own choices
and knowing the consequences of those choices, be strong enough to live with those
consequences, and be happy with their choices. Don’t let someone else’s wants guide your
life, the freedom of choice lies within us all.
Source: thisibelieve.org/essay/84879

What Is It
Task 5 - Weigh In!
Evaluate the article by answering the following questions.

Source:
https://www.netclipart.com/isee/bwxiTJ
4 _vector-illustration-of-weighing-scales-
force-measuring-innocent/

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 What’s More
Task 6- Agree or Disagree
Affirm or negate to some statements taken from the essay. Use the
appropriate expressions.

1. Your future is affected by your choices

today._____________________________________
2. We control our own lives, no one can make our decisions for us, and the ultimate
choice to live our lives lies within ourselves.
_______________________________________________
3. In our society sometimes choices are made to satisfy others.
__________________________
4. Every person needs to be brave enough to make their own choices and knowing
the consequences of those choices, be strong enough to live with those
consequences, and be happy with their choices.
____________________________________________________________
5. That the consequences of my decisions will also be my own, and I will live with
those consequences with no regret, and because of this, I will be happy with my
choices._____________________________________________________________

What I Have Learned

When you develop an argument, you are confirming your own position and building
your case. Use empirical evidence, such as facts and statistics, to support your claims.
Appeal to your audience’s rational and logical thinking. Argue using your evidence and
research.

When evaluating an argument always refer to the basic components of the

argument such as:

 The claim ( Typically answer the question:” What do I think)

 The reasons (Typically answer the question:” Why do I think so)
 The evidence (Typically answer the question:” How do I know this is the case?

Still in evaluating take note of the suggested organization for a classic argument
so that you will be guided in making fair judgement of an article.

1. Introduction: Give the context and background of your issue. Establish the style, tone
ans significance of your issue.
2. State your case: Classify your issue here. Give any necessary background for
understanding the issues. Define important terms or conditions here.
3. Proposition: State your central proposition. Be sure that your hook presents an issue
that is open to debate. Present the subtopics or supportive points to forcast your argument
for your reader.
4. Refutation: Analyze the opposition’s argument and summarize it; refute or address the
points; point out faulty reasoning and inappropriate appeals.

5
5. Substantiation and proof: Present and develop your own case. Carefully plan your
disclosure: avoid logical fallacies. Rely primarily on reasoning for your appeal and use
emotional appeals carefully; use examples; facts, experts and statistics. Develop your
argument using the appropriate prose strategy, 6 e.g. causal analysis, comparison, analogies
or definitions.
6. Conclusion: Conclude with conviction. Review your main points and state your claims
strongly. Make strong plea for action, or invite your readers to refute your argument.
Source: Celebrating Diversity through World Literature English 10

What I Can Do
Task 7 – Words to Ponder
Read the article “Moral Decay” and discover what is presented by the writer.
Match the word in column A with its meaning in colum B.

A B
1.____putsch a. typically concealing the true
nature of something
2.____lambasted b. widespread destruction
3.____swarm c. a supply or quantity of bullets or
shells
4. ____ammunitions d. disgustingly dirty
5._____havoc e. a large dense or group of insects
6._____guise f. criticize
7.______filthy g. a violent attempt to overthrow
8.______rampant h. impossible to satisfy government
9.______anarchy i. a state of disorder due to absence
or non recognition of authority
10._____insatiable j. flourishing or spreading unchecked

Moral Decay
Paul L. Fuentes

We Filipinos are very sensible. Look how the recent putsch was lambasted in the
newspaper. Letters from the reader swarmed indicating that we cannot tolerate the cowardly
and senseless killing of soldiers and civilians, wasted ammunitions, and budding economy
again jeopardized. We condemn the former regime, its havoc upon our lives. We condemn
graft and corruption, so rampant, We condemn the violation of human rights allegedly
commited against the leader of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT); we condemned
everything that is foul, inhuman, unjust, impure, indecent.

But look at the kind of movies and TV programs we go after, display of sex acts-under
the guise of art, nude bodies, violent sex, fornication, adultery, vengeance, magical arts,
sorcery. Even an ordinary comedy sit-com is rated “Parental Guidance.” Is that wholesome
entertainment?

You can glean from the entertainment that are so crazy about what kind of people we
truly are. Instead of censorship, awards were given to this filth.

The female body has become the hottest and fastest selling commodity,
raking millions of profits for the movie industry, print, liquor and wine.

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 Every time a sex-oriented movie goes out for showing we are buying our own ticket
to moral degradation, anarchy and even destruction from VD
epidemic, like what happened to Majuro Marxhall Island where more than one out of ten
7 swing. Love of money just like lust of flesh is
have VD. Homosexuality is now enjoined in full
insatiable. The chain has already been started; we wander when it will end and how. Then
we aspire for peace and order and goodwill? Are we worthy?

A proverty- stricken Filipino bombarded with filthy movies, how will he react?

What I Can Do on My Own

Task 8 Let’s talk about
Classify the effects of a “Poverty stricken Filipino bombarded with
filthy movies,” as immediate, short term or long term. Plot your
entries in the table.

Immediate Effects Short term Effects Long Term Effects

What I Can Do More

Concerned women of the Philippines, Roatary Club, Philippine Alliance of
Human Rights Advocates, we appeal to you. Will you remain indifferent?

Source: DepEd Prototype Lesson Plan in English 4

Task 9- Rock On!
Evaluate the editorial entitled “Moral Decay” basing on the given criteria and elaborate how
you come up with the score.

Criteria 4 3 2 1
INTRODUCTION Well developed Introductory Introduction Thesis and/or

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Background/History introductory paragraph states the problem is
Define the Problem paragraph contains thesis but vague or
Thesis Statement contains some does not unclear.
detailed background adequately Background
background information explain the details are a
information, a and states the background seemingly
clear problem, but of the random
explanation or does not problem.  collection of
definition of the explain using The problem information,
problem, and a details. States is stated, but unclear, or not
thesis the thesis of lacks detail. related to the
statement. the paper. topic.
CONCLUSION Conclusion Conclusion Conclusion Conclusion
summarizes the summarizes summarizes does not
main topics main topics.  main topics, adequately
without Some but is summarize the
repeating suggestions repetitive. main points. No
previous for change No suggestions for
sentences; are evident. suggestions change or
writer's opinions for change opinions are
and suggestions and/or included.
for change are opinions are
logical and well included.
thought out.
MAIN POINTS Three or more Three or more Three or Less than three
Body Paragraphs main points are main points more main main points,
Refutation well developed are present points, but with poor
with supporting but may lack all lack development of
details. detail and development ideas. 
Refutation development . Refutation Refutation
paragraph in one or two. paragraph missing or
acknowledges Refutation missing vague.
the opposing paragraph and/or
view, and acknowledges vague.
summarizes the opposing
their main view, but
points. doesn't
summarize
points.
USE OF SOURCES All source All source All sources Lacks sources
Documentation material is used material is are and/or sources
and smoothly used. All accurately are not
integrated into sources are documented accurately
the text. All accurately , but many documented.
sources are documented, are not in Incorrect format
accurately but a few are the desired is used.
documented not in the format on Sources are not
and in the desired format the works relevant nor
desired format on the Works cited page. reliable.
on the Works Cited page. Some
Cited page. Most sources sources are
All sources are are relevant relevant and
relevant and and reliable. reliable.
reliable.
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 SENTENCE PRECI The writer treats The writer Some Many unclear or
SION the subject uses some unclear or incomplete
Sentence Clarity seriously using informal confused sentences.
formal language and sentences;
language. All slang. Most the writer
sentences are sentences are shifts person
complete, complete, throughout
accurate, and accurate and the essay or
clear; the writer clear; there is uses "you"
controls the an occasional and "I"
point of view use of "you" in frequently.
appropriately. the essay,
indicating a
lack of
revision or
control.
MECHANICS Punctuation and Sentence Work Work contains
Punctuation & capitalization structure is contains multiple
Capitalization are correct. generally structural incorrect
correct. Some weaknesses sentence
awkward and structures.
sentences do grammatical There are four
appear. There errors. or more errors
are one or two There are in punctuation
errors in three or four and/or
punctuation errors in capitalization.
and/or punctuation
capitalization. and/or
capitalizatio
n
Source: Messac.edu/-paoih30491/RubricArgumentEssay.html

Answer Key

Task 1
1. Unsupported generalization
2. Exaggeration
3. Exaggeration
4. Unsupported generalization
5. Unsupported generalization

Task 2
A. Reading of the poem

Task 3
1. The roads differ from each other as one bends the undergrowth, and the other is
"just as fair.”
This indicates that, when making a life-altering decision, it is impossible to see
where that decision will lead. At the moment of decision-making, both roads present
themselves equally, thus the choice of10which to go down is, essentially, a toss up–a
game of chance. (Answers may vary)

9
 2. The author chose the less travelled road. All the speaker knows is that he prefers
the road less travelled, perhaps because he enjoys solitude and believes that will be
very important. Whatever the reason, once committed, he'll more than likely never
look back. (Answers may vary)
3. The two roads represent choices in life.
4. Making difference means a change in his life as a result of his decision.
5. A less travelled road represent the journey of life, and the image of a road devided
into two paths symbolizes a choice.

Task 5
1. The title reveals the topic of the essay by giving a peek of details  that is related to
it.
2.The argument is introduced by stating the thesis.
3. Expository method is employed in this article.
4. An example such as, if one chose not to go to school will not receive
proper education therefore cannot get a decent job and will face money
troubles.
5. Yes
6. The challenge posed by this article is that the choices we make
today, whether big or small will forever affect our future.

Task 6
Answers may vary

Task 7
Reading of the article
Voc. Words
1. g
2. f
3. e
4. c
5. b
6. a
7. d
8. j
9. i
10. h

Task 8
Answers may vary

Task 9
Answers may vary

References
Almonte, Liza R. et al, Celebrating Diversity11
Through World Literature, English Learners

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 Material,DepEd, Rex Bookstore 2015

Bongon,Mangalus, Utico, Prototype Lesson Plans

In English IV,DepEd, SD Publications Inc.
2003

Internet sources:

thisibelieve.org/essay/84879/

Messac.edu/-paoih30491/RubricArgumentEssay.html

springer.com/article/10.1007/s10734-017-0220-3

https://owlcation.com/humanities/Analysis-of-Poem-The-Road-Not-Taken-by-Robert-
Frost#:~:text=The%20two%20roads%20in%20%22The,%22grassy%20and%20wanted
%20wear.%22
https://www.coursehero.com/file/p2nl9ku8/How-does-the-title-reveal-about-the-topic-of-the-
essay-2-How-is-the-argument/

https://goodstudy.org/of-revenge-summary-analysis/#.XxhvCSgzbIU

https://www.umgc.edu/current-students/learning-resources/writing-center/online-guide-to-
writing/tutorial/chapter8/ch8-09.html#:~:text=Suggested%20Organization%20for%20a
%20Classic,Case%3A%20Clarify%20your%20issue%20here.&text=Present%20the
%20subtopics%20or%20supportive,your%20argument%20for%20your%20readers.

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