Assertives are statements that convey information or beliefs in a straightforward manner. They can be true or false and are often used to express facts, opinions, or descriptions. For example, saying "The sky is blue" is an assertive because it presents a claim that can be verified. In the context of linguistics, assertives are one of the speech acts identified by philosopher J.L. Austin. They differ from other speech acts like questions or commands, as they focus on stating something rather than asking for information or directing action. Assertives play a crucial role in communication by providing clarity and sharing knowledge.