Assertions

Assertions are the Lego pieces of your paper. You put them together to make beautiful and structurally sound buildings and space ships. You attach them one at a time. Some link things together and others back up that bond. You have different sizes and colors to choose from, but usually end up using all kinds.

An assertion doesn’t have to be "assertive." It doesn’t have to sound pushy or demand that anyone do anything. Any claim or statement you make is an assertion. This sentence is an assertion. If I tell you to do something, it’s an assertion. If I tell you something is a certain way, it’s an assertion. Perhaps the only sentences that aren’t assertions are questions, and even these are rhetorical, which means they’re designed more as an assertion than an actual attempt to find something out.

The type of assertions you choose to use in your paper has a great influence on your paper’s tone, whether it’s strong and interesting or flat and boring. Action verbs help, as well as using simple, direct sentences statements.

Curious about whether your paper has any weak spots? Assertions provide an excellent way to check. Just read through and underline all your important assertions. An important assertion fits any of the following criteria:

• Your argument (or part of it) depends on whether readers understand and accept it.
• There’s a good chance readers will disagree with it.
• There’s a chance readers will misunderstand it.
• There’s any chance readers will fail to grasp the importance or value of it.

Once you’ve identified your important assertions, it should be fairly simple to then look at the assertions you used to back up those main points and decide if they will now be clear and credible. Get peer response if needed.

A possible organizational strategy for your paper (though I wouldn’t expect most of you to actually do this consciously as you’re writing) is to

1. Make an assertion
2. Explain it
3. Give examples and other evidence

One style of assertions that have proven themselves quite effective is Big Promises.

Big Promises are big assertions. They make big claims. They tell you that difficult things are easy, that the nearly-impossible can be achieved, and that the confusing is simple and clear.

Big Promises surprise the reader and catch their interest. They’re great for your paper’s introduction and its overall pathos. But if you make a Big Promise, you must keep it. If you say that something’s simple, you must make it simple. Give a few relatively easy steps to follow. Give information that clarifies the whole situation.

If you will develop a strong awareness of assertions, you will not only write strong, solid papers, but your mind and critical thinking skills will improve. You’ll be able to cut quickly to the heart of an argument and see its weak spots or strengths. Those who possess this skill can tell you how useful it is.