1. The document provides guidance on how to evaluate an author's message by making inferences, assessing the author's qualifications and purpose, distinguishing facts from opinions, and evaluating evidence. 2. It emphasizes making inferences based on details provided and omitted, noticing clues in word choices and emphasis, and verifying inferences with evidence. 3. The document also notes the importance of assessing an author's background, publications, and reputation, as well as distinguishing facts that can be verified from opinions that cannot.

1. Chapter 4: Evaluating the Author’s message 212:189 Fall 2011

2. Make Inferences as you Read Inference: a reasoned guess about what you don’t know made on the basis of what you do know. Writers do not always present their ideas directly… Info is left out if it would make the message too long or divert the reader from the central idea/main idea. Author’s assume the reader knows enough to fill in the omitted idea. The writer believes the reader will get more meaning or enjoyment by making the inference. Authors may leave out information to draw you toward making the conclusion they would like you to.

3. How to Make Inferences Get the literal meaning. Topic, main idea, key details, and organization. Notice details Pay attention to usual information. Add up the facts What is the writer trying to suggest? What do the facts point to? Why did the author include these facts or details? Be alert to clues Word choice, details included or omitted, ideas emphasized, direct commentary, author’s attitude. Verify your inference Sufficient evidence Check for overlooked details.

4. Assess the Author’s Qualifications Who is this person? What do they do? Where do they do it? When did they start doing it? How many publications do they have? What kind of publications are they? Entertainment Weekly vs. NY Times vs. The Journal of the American Psychological Association What are other people saying about them?

5. Identify the Author’s Purpose Whoa re they writing for? General Audience Interest Group Children Academics Why are they writing it? Information Persuasion Arguments

6. Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion Fact-can be verified as true or false Data Numbers Experiements Opinion-cannot be verified as true or false Attitudes Beliefs Feelings Ex. 4-6 pg/ 112

7. Evaluate Evidence and Data Personal Experience or Observation Statistics Examples, descriptions, illustrations Analogies (comparisons) Historical documentation Experimental Evidence

8. Be Careful! Even trusted sources cannot always be trusted! Always get an opinion from an outside source!

10. Tiananmen Square A single man blocks an approaching column of PLA tanks on Changan Avenue east of Tiananmen Square in Beijing June 5, 1989 (REUTERS/Arthur Tsang) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tank_Man

11. U.S. War Crimes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_war_crimes

12. Analyze Writers Tone Tone: how they “sound.” How does their voice make you feel? Instructive Sympathetic Persuasive Humorous Nostalgic Tavle 4-1 pg. 119

13. Annotate as You Read Questions Opinions Evidence Key points Ideas you disagree or agree with Good or poor supporting data examples Inconsistencies Definitions Key terms Contrasting points of view Key arguments Strong words Figures of speech

14. Synthesize Your Ideas What did the author intend to accomplish? How effectively was this done? What questions does the work raise and answer? What questions were ignored or left unanswered? What contribution to your course content and objectives does this work make? How does the work fit your textbook? How worthwhile is the material? What are its strengths and weaknesses?