This document is a PowerPoint presentation about critical thinking, reading, and writing. It discusses evaluating an author's techniques, including understanding connotative and figurative language, analyzing assumptions and generalizations, identifying bias, and strategies for writing fairly. The presentation is divided into goals and includes review questions to test comprehension of key concepts covered.
Contemporary philippine arts from the regions_PPT_Module_12 [Autosaved] (1).pptx
IRW Chapter 14
1. In Concert:
An Integrated Reading and Writing Approach
by Kathleen T. McWhorter
Part Four:
Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing
Chapter 14:
Critical Thinking: Evaluating the
Author’s Techniques
PowerPoint by Sarah Gilliam, Instructor of English
Mountain Empire Community College
2. Chapter 14: Critical Thinking:
Evaluating the Author’s Techniques
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
3. • Critical thinking, reading, and writing involve
examining what is said and how it is said.
• Writers choose techniques that help them
achieve their purpose, convey a message, and
reach their audience.
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
4. Denotative meanings are standard dictionary
definitions.
Connotative meanings are the feelings or other
associations that accompany a word.
Figurative language makes a comparison
between two unalike things that share one
common characteristic.
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
5. Figurative language makes a comparison
between two unalike things that share one
common characteristic.
Types of Figurative Language:
• Simile
• Metaphor
• Personification
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
6. An assumption is an idea or principle the
writer accepts as true and makes no effort to
substantiate.
Assumptions often use the terms if, since, and
when.
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
7. A generalization is a reasoned statement about
an entire group based on known information
about a part of the group.
Generalizations may use the terms
all, always, none, or never.
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
8. Bias is prejudice. If an author is biased, then he
or she is partial to one side of a particular
argument or point of view.
What are strategies to identify bias?
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
9. What are strategies for writing
fair and effective essays?
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
10. Goal 1: Evaluate the Author’s Techniques
Review Questions
Fill in the blanks:
Critical reading, writing, and thinking involve
examining ___________ is said and __________ it is
said.
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
11. Goal 1: Evaluate the Author’s Techniques
Review Questions
Fill in the blanks:
Critical reading, writing, and thinking involve
examining what is said and how it is said.
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
12. Goal 2: Understand Connotative
and Figurative Language
Review Questions
Fill in the Blank:
_____________ are standard dictionary definitions.
_______________ are the feelings or other
associations that accompany a word.
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
13. Goal 2: Understand Connotative
and Figurative Language
Review Questions
Fill in the Blank:
Denotative meanings are standard dictionary
definitions.
Connotative meanings are the feelings or other
associations that accompany a word.
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
14. Goal 3: Analyze Assumptions
Review Questions
Assumptions often use which of the following
terms:
A. If
B. When
C. Since
D. All of the above
E. None of the above
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
15. Goal 3: Analyze Assumptions
Review Questions
Assumptions often use which of the following
terms:
A. If
B. When
C. Since
D. All of the above
E. None of the above
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
16. Goal 4: Evaluate Generalizations
Review Questions
True or False:
The phrase “all rich people are snobs” is an
example of a generalization.
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
17. Goal 4: Evaluate Generalizations
Review Questions
True or False:
True: The phrase “all rich people are snobs” is
an example of a generalization.
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
18. Goal 5: Identify Bias
Review Questions
An author who is biased does which of the
following?
A. Presents both sides of an issue
B. Is unemotional about the issue
C. Provides only favorable information
D. Presents facts
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
19. Goal 5: Identify Bias
Review Questions
An author who is biased does which of the
following?
A. Presents both sides of an issue
B. Is unemotional about the issue
C. Provides only favorable information
D. Presents facts
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
20. Goal 6: Write Effectively and Fairly
Review Questions
True or False:
Using figurative language to explain extreme
examples is a strategy for writing effectively and
fairly.
True or False:
Making generalizations based on sufficient evidence
is a strategy for writing effectively and fairly.
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
21. Goal 6: Write Effectively and Fairly
Review Questions
True or False:
False: Using figurative language to explain extreme
examples is a strategy for writing effectively and
fairly.
True or False:
True: Making generalizations based on sufficient
evidence is a strategy for writing effectively and fairly.
Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Notas do Editor
Word choice can greatly influence a reader, so writers must choose words carefully. Critical reading involves understanding the connotative meanings of words. Connotative meanings can vary by individual, and they can be used to spark an emotional response. Remember to be alert for meaning as suggested by the author’s word choice. When writing, be sure to make appropriate word choices.Activities:Exercises 14-1, 14-2, and 14-3 on pages 427–428. Each exercise emphasizes understanding connotations.
Figurative language is creative and full of imagery, creating a visual for the reader. Planting this image communicates the author’s purpose to the reader.Similes use “like” or “as” to make a comparisonMetaphors state or imply the relationship between the two unalike itemsPersonification compares humans to nonhumans and attributes human characteristics to objects or ideasEvaluating Figurative Language:Why does the author make the comparison?What is the basis of the comparison?Is the comparison accurate?What images does the comparison make you visualize, and how do you feel about them?Is the comparison positive or negative?Are several different interpretations possible?
If an author’s assumption is unproven or unsubstantiated, then the statements that follow from the assumption should be questioned.
Generalizations can be evaluated by looking at the type, quality, and amount of evidence given to support them.Evaluating Generalizations:Evaluate types of evidence. What evidence is needed to convince you generalizations are or are not true?Evaluate the quality of the evidence. What research or studies are provided to substantiate the generalization? Evaluate the specifics.Think of exceptions. What might make the generalization inaccurate?
Strategies to Identify Bias:Is the author presenting facts, or is he or she trying to provide only favorable (or only unfavorable) information?Does the author appear to feel strongly about one side of the issue?Does the author create a positive or negative image by utilizing connotative or figurative language?Does the author seem emotional about the issue?Are there other views of the subject that the author does not discuss?Activities:Exercise 4-13 (Identifying Bias) on page 436: Mark the statements that show bias. Then, explain HOW they show bias.Exercise 4-14 (Identifying Bias) on pages 436–438.
Strategies for Writing Fair and Effective Essays:Use connotative language carefully.Use figurative language to make fair comparisons.Make reasonable assumptions.Make generalizations based on sufficient evidence.Handle bias openly.
Answers: what and how
Answers: what and how
Answers:Denotative meaningsConnotative meanings
Answers:Denotative meaningsConnotative meanings
Answer: D
Answer: D
Answer: True—not all rich people are snobs, but that is a common perception.
Answer: True—not all rich people are snobs, but that is a common perception.