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 message212:189Fall 2011

2. Make Inferences as you ReadInference: 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 InferencesGet the literal meaning.Topic, main idea, key details, and organization.Notice detailsPay attention to usual information.Add up the factsWhat is the writer trying to suggest?What do the facts point to?Why did the author include these facts or details?Be alert to cluesWord choice, details included or omitted, ideas emphasized, direct commentary, author’s attitude.Verify your inferenceSufficient evidenceCheck for overlooked details.

4. Assess the Author’s QualificationsWho 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 AssociationWhat are other people saying about them?

5. Identify the Author’s PurposeWhoa re they writing for?General AudienceInterest GroupChildrenAcademicsWhy are they writing it?InformationPersuasionArguments

6. Distinguish Between Fact and OpinionFact-can be verified as true or falseDataNumbersExperiementsOpinion-cannot be verified as true or falseAttitudesBeliefsFeelingsEx. 4-6 pg/ 112

7. Evaluate Evidence and DataPersonal Experience or ObservationStatisticsExamples, descriptions, illustrationsAnalogies (comparisons)Historical documentationExperimental Evidence

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

10. Tiananmen SquareA 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 Crimeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_war_crimes

12. Analyze Writers ToneTone: how they “sound.”How does their voice make you feel?InstructiveSympatheticPersuasiveHumorousNostalgicTavle 4-1 pg. 119

13. Annotate as You ReadQuestionsOpinionsEvidenceKey pointsIdeas you disagree or agree withGood or poor supporting data examplesInconsistenciesDefinitionsKey termsContrasting points of viewKey argumentsStrong wordsFigures of speech

14. Synthesize Your IdeasWhat 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?