Is the Author Biased?
Pay attention to emotional language.
Notice descriptive language. How does the
author make you feel? Look for opposing viewpoints. If there are none, it is biased.
Inference: Agnes is upset and on the verge of tears.
How to Make Inferences
Understand the literal meaning first.
Ask yourself a question, such as “What is
ANALYZING ARGUMENTS
An argument takes one position on an issue
and provides reasons and evidence that the claim is sound or believable.
– All handguns should be legal. – No handguns should be legal. – Some handguns should be legal for certain individuals.
Making Inferences
“As Agatha studied Agnes, she noticed that her eyes appeared misty, her lips trembled slightly, and a twisted handkerchief lay in her lap.”
Questions to Ask about Arguments
What is the issue?
What is the claim? What types of evidence are used?
Is theLeabharlann evidence convincing?
Is there sufficient evidence?
Chapter 10: Critical Thinking and Reading
College Reading and Study Skills, Ninth Edition by Kathleen T. McWhorter
© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
What Is the Author’s Purpose?
Consider the source and intended purpose.
Is it biased? Consider the point of view or perspective from which an article or essay is written. Decide whether the writer tries to prove anything about the subject.
Take a Reading Road Trip!
Take a trip to the AMERICAN SOUTHWEST and visit the Critical Thinking module on your CD-ROM.
© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
Types of Evidence
Facts
Personal Experience Examples
Determine if the evidence
Statistics Appeal to Authority
is relevant and sufficient.
Comparisons and Analogies Cause-Effect Relationships
thinking about and reacting to what you read—helps you remember more of what you read and will prepare you to write about and discuss the ideas.
MAKING INFERENCES
What Is the Tone?
It reveals feelings, attitudes, or viewpoints
not directly stated by the author. The author uses word choice, sentence patterns, and length to establish tone. Bias can be revealed by his or her tone.
Asking Questions: The Key to Critical Thinking
What is the source of the material?
What are the author’s qualifications? Is the material fact or opinion? What is the author’s purpose? Is the author biased? What is the tone?
An inference is a reasoned guess about what
you don’t know based on what you do know. Authors do not always directly state what they mean. Instead, they may only hint at or suggest an idea.
the author trying to suggest?” Use clues provided by the writer’s choice of words. Consider the author’s purpose. Look back at the facts to verify your inference.
Fact or Opinion?
Facts – The costs of medical care increase every year. – More than one million teenagers become pregnant every year.
Opinions – Government regulation of our private lives should be halted immediately! – By the year 2025, most Americans will not be able to afford routine health care.
What other types of evidence could have
been used to strengthen the argument?
Summary Questions
How can you learn to make better
inferences? How can you become a critical reader? What is the key to analyzing arguments? What are the common types of evidence used in arguments?
Objectives:
This chapter will show you how to improve
your critical reading skills by reacting to and analyzing what you read. You will learn to make inferences, ask critical questions, and analyze arguments. LEARNING PRINCIPLE: Elaborating—or