Chapter 8: Point of View

1. Chapter 8: Point of View PowerPoint by JoAnn Yaworski and Mimi Markus Bridging the Gap, 8/e Brenda Smith © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

2. In this Chapter You Will Learn about: • The author’s point of view • The reader’s point of view • The differences between point of view and bias • The differences between fact and opinion • The author’s purpose • The author’s tone © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

3. Point of View Suggests thoughtfulness and openness Bias Suggests narrow-mindedness and prejudice; facts are slanted toward author’s personal belief What Is the Author’s Point of View? Author’s opinions and theories that influence their presentation of the subject matter © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

4. Open Mind Prior knowledge Slightly suspicious nature Closed Mind Existing opinions affect how much we accept or reject If beliefs are strong we “tune out” new material Prior Knowledge and Reader’s Point of View Alternative Arguments © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

5. What Is a Fact? A Fact • Statement based on actual evidence or personal observation • Can be checked objectively with empirical data • Can be proved to be either true or false © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

6. What Is an Opinion? • Opinion is a statement of personal feeling or a judgment. • Reflects a belief or an interpretation rather than an accumulation of evidence • Cannot be proved true or false © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

7. Fact and Opinion • Fact: Freud developed a theory of personality • Opinion: Freud constructed the most complete theory of personality development • Fact: Freud believed that the personality is divided into three parts • Opinion: The personality is divided into three parts: the id, the ego, and the superego © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

8. Questioning to Uncover Bias • What is your opinion on the subject? • What is the author’s opinion on the subject? • What are the author’s credentials for writing on the subject? • What does the author have to gain? • Does the author use facts or opinions as support? • Are the facts selected and slanted to reflect the author’s bias? © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

9. What Is the Author’s Purpose? © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

10. What Is the Author’s Tone? • Humorous remarks designed to be comical and amusing • Sarcastic remarks designed to cut or give pain • Ironic remarks: • Express something other than the literal meaning • Designed to show the incongruity between the actual and the expected © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

11. Recognizing the Author’s Tone Part (1) • Absurd/Ridiculous: laughable or a joke • Ambivalent: having contradictory attitudes or feelings • Arrogant: acting conceited or above others • Cheerful: feeling good about the topic • Complex: complicated and entangled with confusing parts © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

12. Recognizing the Author’s Tone Part (2) • Cruel: mean spirited • Cynical: expecting the worst from people • Depressed: sad, dejected, or having low spirits • Distressed: suffering strain, misery, or agony • Disapproving: judging unfavorably © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

13. Recognizing the Author’s TonePart (3) • Hard: unfeeling, strict, and unrelenting • Incredulous: unbelieving • Intense/Impassioned: extremely involved, zealous, or agitated • Irreverent: lack of respect for authority • Ironic: the opposite of what is expected © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

14. Recognizing the Author’s TonePart (4) • Mocking/Condemning: using facts without emotions • Objective/factual: using facts without emotions • Optimistic: looking on the bright side • Pathetic: moving one to compassion or pity • Pessimistic: looking on the negative side © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

15. Recognizing the Author’s TonePart (5) • Reverent: showing respect • Righteous: morally correct • Sarcastic: saying one thing and meaning another • Sensational: over-dramatized or over-hyped • Serious/Ernest/Sincere: being honest and concerned • Tragic: regrettable or deplorable mistake © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

16. Recognizing the Author’s TonePart (6) • Sarcastic: saying one thing and meaning another • Sensational: over-dramatized or over-hyped • Serious/Earnest/Sincere: being honest & concerned • Tragic: regrettable or deplorable mistake © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

17. Editorial Cartoons Editorial cartoons make implied statements: • Take positions on local and national news events • Frequently depict politicians as crooks and thieves © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

18. Visit the Longman English Pages • http://www.ablongman.com/englishpages Take a Road Trip to the Getty Museum! Be sure to visit the Purpose and Tone module in your Reading Road Trip CD-ROM for multimedia tutorials, exercises, and tests. © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman