© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

Chapter 4: Evaluating the Author’s Message

Academic Reading,

Fifth Edition

by Kathleen T. McWhorter

© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

Learning Objectives: To make inferences and understand implied

meanings

To assess an author’s credentials

To distinguish between fact and opinion

To identify the author’s purpose

To evaluate the data and evidence

To analyze the author’s tone

To annotate as you read

To synthesize your ideas

© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

Making Inferences

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.

© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

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.”

Inference: Agnes is upset and on the verge of tears.

© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

How to Make Inferences

Understand the literal meaning first.

Notice details.– What is unusual or striking about this piece of

information?– Why is it included here?

© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

How to Make Inferences Add up the facts.

– What is the writer trying to suggest from this set of facts?

– What do all these facts and ideas seem to point toward or add up to?

– Why did the author include these facts and details?

Be alert for clues. Look back at the facts to verify your

inference.

© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

How to Make Inferences

Consider the author’s purpose.– To purchase something?– To convince you of an idea?– To inform?

Look back at the facts to verify your inference.

© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

Assess the Author’s Ideas Is the author a qualified expert? What are the facts and opinions? What is the author’s purpose? Does the author support his or her generalizations? What assumptions is the author making? Is the author biased? How strong are the data and evidence?

© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

Fact or Opinion?

Facts– Birth rates declined from 1960 to 1979.– The proportion of married women in the work

force has steadily increased in the past 40 years.

Opinions– A drastic change is soon to occur in family

structure.– Parenthood is the most rewarding human

experience.

© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

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.

© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

How Strong Are the Data and Evidence?

Personal experience or observation Statistical data Examples, descriptions of events Analogies or comparisons with similar

situations Historical documentation Experimental evidence

© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

How to React to Ideas Presented

Annotate as You Read. (p. 103) Analyze and Evaluate Ideas

– What did the author intend to accomplish?– How effectively did he or she accomplish it?– What questions does the work answer?– What questions are ignored or left unanswered?– What contributions to course content is made?– How does this work fit with your textbook?– What are strengths and weaknesses of material?

© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

Synthesize and Compare Sources

Compare for:– overall theme or position– types and quality of supporting evidence– degree of bias shown in each work– authority of each author– purpose of each author– points of agreement and disagreement– effectiveness of each work to persuade you– style– audience

© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

Summary Questions

How do you make inferences as you read? What questions do you ask to assess an

author’s ideas? What questions do you ask to react to an

author’s ideas? What questions do you ask to compare and

synthesize several works?

© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

Read the articles on sociology/contemporary issues and answer the questions at the end of each selection.

“Why Drug Legalization Should Be Opposed” by Charles Rangel

“Let’s Retire the Drug War” by Jacob G. Hornberger