Why is it important to consider the author's bias when analyzing a text?

How can an author's bias affect his/her presentation of information in a text?

How can an reader's bias affect his/her response to information presented in a text?

In which of the types of text below is the author's bias likely to be evident?

What are some good strategies for identifying the author's viewpoint of text?

Why is it important for readers to be aware of the author's bias?

How can understanding the author's viewpoint enhance our understanding of a text?

Today, it is common to open the newspaper and see that a famous musician is being sued for stealing music from another famous musician. Sometimes, the issue is that a very small section of a song sounds like a song that had been written before. Sometimes, the issue is that a large part of a song sounds like a song that had been written before. It is against the law to make money off of other people’s music unless they agree to it. Usually, the two musicians come to an agreement to share the money that the new song makes.

In the past, this was not a major problem. Musicians then often made much less money. With less money at stake, there was not much to complain about. More importantly, using another person’s music could be seen as respectful. A musician could be proud that a younger musician looked up to him or her enough to use some of his or her music. This would more likely be considered borrowing someone’s music rather than stealing it. There was a sense of cooperation between musicians. Today, money is more important than cooperation.

Which of these best describes the author's attitude toward one musician using another's work?

Passage 1

Skateboarding is a sport just like any other. Many people look at skateboarders as though they were criminals. There is nothing illegal about the sport. However, because there are often not adequate facilities for practicing, skateboarders use public property. Instead of punishing skateboarders, we should work to build skate parks so they can practice safely and legally.

Passage 2

Skateboarders are a nuisance. They have no regard for the law. These people cause problems instead of simply practicing their skills. Skateboarding should be completely banned in the city limits, and the fines for breaking the ban should be larger. This would lower the city's overall crime rate.

How do the authors' attitudes toward skateboarding differ?

Every creature on Earth deserves a chance at life. Unfortunately, many animals do not have a loving, caring place to call home. Although their original owners may not want them, a new home will make all the difference in the world. A snuggly, warm kitten or a friendly, active dog could be just the touch to make your house a home. These wonderful animals make great companions and ask little in return. You should open your heart and your home to these beautiful little rays of sunshine. You will not regret it.

This description of pets currently up for adoption was written by the shelter's owner. Which descriptors reveal the writer's positive bias?

Cruise ships might be a fun way to take a vacation, but they do far too much damage to the environment. The ships are harmful to marine life. Research suggests that cruise ships produce more than three times the amount of CO2 that airplanes do. Furthermore, cruise-ship passengers do not spend enough time at a given destination to learn about its culture. Thus, the passengers do not promote local culture. The next time you want to take a vacation, try taking a train or plane to your destination instead.

Based on the passage, which of these best describes the author's attitude toward cruise ships?

Cruise ships might be a fun way to take a vacation, but they do far too much damage to the environment. The ships are harmful to marine life. Research suggests that cruise ships produce more than three times the amount of CO2 that airplanes do. Furthermore, cruise-ship passengers do not spend enough time at a given destination to learn about its culture. Thus, the passengers do not promote local culture. The next time you want to take a vacation, try taking a train or plane to your destination instead.

Read the last sentence of the paragraph. It is clear that the author wants readers to

Many people don’t like bees. However, without these helpful insects, we would not have many of our favorite flowers or fruits. When bees drink nectar from flowers, they carry away pollen. Bees leave the pollen on the next plant they visit. This helps create necessary new plants.

What is the author’s viewpoint about bees?

The discovery of a wild coyote in late 1997 in the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building in downtown Seattle should come as a wake-up call. The United States has a serious coyote problem! From their traditional enclaves in the western desert, these opportunistic canines have now invaded the entire continental United States. They have taken over parks, farms, vacant lots, and now perhaps the downtown areas of major cities. Homeowners report losing cats and dogs to the beasts, and young children are under attack. Enough is enough. Since humans are the only natural enemy of coyotes, we demand that state and federal agencies institute coyote trapping programs. That is the only way to decrease the number of coyotes to a manageable level.

Which two sentences from the passage tell us that the author had a negative viewpoint?

Which sentence in the passage contains the author's viewpoint?

1 Most banks offer savings accounts for adults, families, and children. 2 All young people should open their own savings accounts. 3 When you keep money in a savings account, you earn interest. 4 Interest is extra money the bank gives you for just keeping your money with them.

Single-use bottled water is commonly derived from a municipal water source and goes through a purification process that uses charcoal filtration and reverse-osmosis.

What about this passage tells the reader the author's viewpoint?

Many cities have aquariums that have adopted orphaned dolphins found in the ocean. Many of these dolphins

were wounded and would not have survived alone. Because of the kindness of humans, these animals are alive today.

What is the author’s viewpoint on people’s relationship with dolphins?

The discovery of a wild coyote in late 1997 in the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building in downtown Seattle should come as a wake-up call. The United States has a serious coyote problem! From their traditional enclaves in the western desert, these opportunistic canines have now invaded the entire continental United States. They have taken over parks, farms, vacant lots, and now perhaps the downtown areas of major cities. Homeowners report losing cats and dogs to the beasts, and young children are under attack. Enough is enough. Since humans are the only natural enemy of coyotes, we demand that state and federal agencies institute coyote trapping programs. That is the only way to decrease the number of coyotes to a manageable level.

What is the author's viewpoint?

1 Many Americans regularly eat beef, which is meat that comes from cattle. 2 We ought to replace beef with chicken in our diets. 3 It takes eleven times more water to raise cattle for beef than it does to raise chickens. 4 Cattle also require twenty-eight times more land than chickens do.

Which sentence includes the author's viewpoint?

Which sentence in the passage contains the author's viewpoint?

1 Our school has three bike racks. 2 These racks can fit a total of fifteen bikes. 3 However, in a recent survey, more than three dozen students said they would like to ride their bikes to school. 4 We should definitely get more bike racks.