1.1 Critical Reading and Analysis
Develop skills to read critically and analyze texts in depth.
50 min
2 oppgaver
Author purposeBiasFact vs. opinionCritical thinking
Din fremgang i kapitlet
0 / 2 oppgaver
Critical Reading
Critical reading goes beyond understanding what a text says. It involves:
- Questioning the author's purpose
- Evaluating arguments and evidence
- Identifying bias and perspective
- Making connections to other texts and ideas
In 9th grade, you will develop these skills to become a more thoughtful reader.
Author's Purpose
Every text is written for a reason. The main purposes are:
To Inform - Give facts and information
- News articles, textbooks, encyclopedias
To Persuade - Change the reader's mind
- Advertisements, opinion pieces, speeches
To Entertain - Engage and amuse
- Novels, short stories, jokes
To Instruct - Teach how to do something
- Manuals, recipes, tutorials
Identifying Bias
Bias is when an author favors one side of an issue. All texts have some bias - the author's perspective shapes what they write.
Look for:
- Loaded language (words with strong emotional impact)
- One-sided arguments (only presents one view)
- Missing information (what's left out?)
- Source selection (which experts are quoted?)
Example of loaded language:
- Neutral: "The politician changed his position."
- Biased (negative): "The politician flip-flopped."
- Biased (positive): "The politician showed flexibility."
Fact vs. Opinion
Facts can be proven true or false:
- "World War II ended in 1945."
- "Water freezes at 0°C."
- "World War II ended in 1945."
- "Water freezes at 0°C."
Opinions express beliefs or judgments:
- "World War II was the most important event of the 20th century."
- "Winter is the worst season."
Disguised opinions look like facts:
- "Everyone knows that..."
- "It's obvious that..."
- "Studies show..." (which studies?)
✏️Analyzing an Advertisement
Analyze this advertisement critically:
"9 out of 10 doctors recommend BrightSmile toothpaste for a whiter, healthier smile. Don't you want what's best for your family?"
Purpose: To persuade you to buy the product
Techniques used:
- Appeal to authority: "9 out of 10 doctors" - makes it seem scientific
- Vague claim: How many doctors were asked? What exactly did they recommend?
- Emotional appeal: "best for your family" - plays on love and responsibility
- Rhetorical question: Makes you feel like the answer is obvious
Questions to ask:
- Who conducted this study? Was it the company itself?
- What does "recommend" actually mean?
- What about the 1 doctor who didn't recommend it?
📝Oppgave 1
Identify facts and opinions:
a
"The Amazon rainforest covers approximately 5.5 million square kilometers."
b
"The Amazon is the most beautiful place on Earth."
c
"Everyone agrees that we need to protect the rainforest."
📝Oppgave 2
Find an online article about a current topic. Analyze it critically:
a
What is the author's purpose?
b
Can you identify any bias? Give examples.
c
What evidence does the author use? Is it convincing?