It is the writers position on a topic The values and beliefs that influence the way a writer looks at a topic Whats your opinion on lightning What influences your opinion Have you or anyone you know ever been struck Almost struck ID: 483740
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Slide1
Author’s Bias
It is the writer’s position on a topic
The values and beliefs that influence the way a writer looks at a topicSlide2
What’s your opinion on lightning?
What influences your opinion?
Have you, or anyone you know, ever been struck? Almost struck?Slide3
Read the following paragraph and find the
author’s bias on
army ants.Slide4
Army ants are a fearsome force. Marching across the African countryside by the millions, they hungrily devour every living creature in their path. Even people and elephants are not safe from the hungry swarms. Traveling under the cover of darkness, army ants are unstoppable. Not even rivers slow their progress. At a riverbank, some ants take hold of a root or bush and other ants take hold of them. Soon a ropelike bridge stretches to the opposite bank. The other ants then march across and the relentless plunder continues. Slide5
Ways to find author’s bias
Identify the main idea.
Look for clues to the author’s opinion.
Look for “loaded” language.
Consider information you know about the author.Slide6
How to find it
Identify the main idea.
Army ants are a fearsome force. Marching across the African countryside by the millions, they hungrily devour every living creature in their path. Even people and elephants are not safe from the hungry swarms. Travelling under the cover of darkness, army ants are unstoppable. Not even rivers slow their progress. At a riverbank, some ants take hold of a root or bush and other ants take hold of them. Soon a ropelike bridge stretches to the opposite bank. The other ants then march across and the relentless plunder continues. Slide7
How to find it
Look for clues to the author’s opinion. Ask:
Which people or characters does the author seem to like or dislike?
How do the author’s words express a positive or negative view?
What’s the tone?
Does the author make direct statements about their opinion?Slide8
Army ants are a fearsome force. Marching across the African countryside by the millions, they hungrily devour every living creature in their path. Even people and elephants are not safe from the hungry swarms. Travelling under the cover of darkness, army ants are unstoppable. Not even rivers slow their progress. At a riverbank, some ants take hold of a root or bush and other ants take hold of them. Soon a ropelike bridge stretches to the opposite bank. The other ants then march across and the relentless plunder continues. Slide9
How to find it
Look for “loaded” language.
Army ants are a fearsome force. Marching across the African countryside by the millions, they hungrily devour every living creature in their path. Even people and elephants are not safe from the hungry swarms. Travelling under the cover of darkness, army ants are unstoppable. Not even rivers slow their progress. At a riverbank, some ants take hold of a root or bush and other ants take hold of them. Soon a ropelike bridge stretches to the opposite bank. The other ants then march across and the relentless plunder continues. Slide10
How to find it
Look for “loaded” language.
Army ants are a
fearsome
force. Marching across the African countryside by the millions, they
hungrily devour every living creature
in their path. Even people and elephants are
not safe
from the
hungry
swarms. Travelling under the
cover of darkness
, army ants are
unstoppable
.
Not even rivers slow their progress.
At a riverbank, some ants take hold of a root or bush and other ants take hold of them. Soon a ropelike bridge stretches to the opposite bank. The other ants then march across and the
relentless plunder
continues. Slide11
“Loaded” Language
Words that suggest certain things about a topic.
Fearsome
hungrily devour every living creature
not safe
Hungry
cover of darkness
Unstoppable
Not even rivers slow their progress.
relentless plunder Slide12
How to find it
Consider the author’s life.
Background
Historical era
Work
FamilySlide13
How to find it
What is the author’s perspective on army ants?
Be specific, but don’t say anything you can’t support.Slide14
Author’s bias
Army ants are a fearsome, nearly unstoppable, force of nature. Slide15
Recap
Identify the main idea
Look for clues in word choice, setting, cultural context, and direct statements.
Consider the author’s life
Examine “loaded” languageSlide16
Try it outSlide17
From “The Raven”
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December;
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;--vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore—
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
Nameless
here
forevermore.
--Edgar Allan PoeSlide18
From “The Raven”
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the
bleak
December;
And each separate
dying
ember wrought its
ghost
upon the floor.
Eagerly I
wished the morrow
;--vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of
sorrow
—
sorrow
for the
lost
Lenore—
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
Nameless
here
forevermore
.
--Edgar Allan PoeSlide19
How to find it
In Nonfiction
In Fiction
Direct statements
Theme
Portrayal of important individuals
Portrayal of characters
Word choice or tone
Word choice and toneSlide20
Prejudice
What is it?
1. an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed BEFOREHAND or without knowledge, thought or reason.
2. any preconceived opinion or feeling, either
f
avorable or unfavorable.
3. unreasonable feelings, opinions, or attitudes, especially of a hostile nature, regarding racial, religious, or national group.Slide21
Prejudice: Identify It
These Days: Racial
Profiling,
for example, stopping Muslims at
the airport
Early America: Racism, and slavery.
All the time: Women getting less pay and not being treated equal to men world wideSlide22
Prejudice?
What are some of your prejudices? Are you anti ‘white’, ‘black’, or ‘
hispanic
’?
Do you believe you are better than another because you are smart? Pretty? Handsome? Rich? Live in a fancy house?
What are you bringing to your writing?