Download Chapter 8: Point of View

Chapter 8:
Point of View
Bridging the Gap, 9/e
Brenda Smith
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
What is the Author’s
Point of View?
Author’s opinions and theories that influence their
presentation of the subject matter
Point of View
An opinion or
position on a
subject.
Suggests
thoughtfulness
and openness.
Bias
 An opinion or
position on a subject.
 Facts are slanted
toward the author’s
personal belief.
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as
Longman Publishers
Reader’s Tip:
Questions 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?
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as
Longman Publishers
What is a Fact?
A Fact
 A fact is a statement based on
actual evidence or personal
observation.
 It can be checked objectively with empirical
data.
 It can be proved to be either true or false.
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as
Longman Publishers
What is an Opinion?
An Opinion
 An opinion is a statement based
upon personal feelings or
judgments.
 It reflects a belief or an interpretation rather
than an accumulation of evidence.
 It cannot be proved true or false.
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as
Longman Publishers
Fact and Opinion
 Fact: Freud believed that the personality is
divided into three parts.
 Opinion: Freud constructed the most
complete theory of personality development.
 Opinion: The personality is divided into three
parts: the id, the ego, and the superego.
 P. 430/412
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as
Longman Publishers
Author’s Purpose
The reason for writing or
reading.
Persuade
Inform
Entertain
What is the Author’s Purpose?
inform
argue
entertain
explain
persuade
narrate
describe
condemn
describe
enlighten
ridicule
shock
Pg.417
Author’s Tone
The author’s attitude
or feelings toward
the subject matter.
Pg. 420
What is the Author’s Tone?
 Humorous remarks are designed to be
comical & amusing.
 Sarcastic remarks are 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.
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as
Longman Publishers
Recognizing the Author’s Tone
Part (1)
 Absurd/Ridiculous: laughable or a joke.
 Ambivalent: having contradictory attitudes or





feelings.
Apathetic: not caring.
Angry: feeling bad and upset about the topic.
Arrogant: acting conceited or above others.
Cheerful: feeling good about the topic.
Complex: complicated & entangled with
confusing parts.
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as
Longman Publishers
Recognizing the Author’s Tone
Part (2)
 Congratulatory: honoring an achievement
 Cruel: mean spirited.
 Cynical: expecting the worst from people.
 Depressed: sad, dejected, or having low spirits.
 Disapproving: judging unfavorably.
 Distressed: suffering strain, misery, or agony.
 Disapproving: judging unfavorably.
 Evasive, abstruse: avoiding or confusing the
issue.
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as
Longman Publishers
Recognizing Author’s Tone
Part (3)
 Formal: using an official style
 Frustrated: blocked from a goal
 Gentle: thoughtful, not pushy, kind
 Hard: unfeeling, strict, & unrelenting.
 Incredulous: unbelieving.
 Intense/Impassioned: extremely involved,
zealous, or agitated.
 Irreverent: lack of respect for authority.
 Objective/Critical: using facts without
emotions.
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as
Longman Publishers
Recognizing Author’s Tone
Part (4)
 Humorous: being funny.
 Incredulous: unbelieving.
 Indignant: outraged.
 Intense/Impassioned: extremely involved,
zealous, or agitated.
 Ironic: the opposite of what is expected; a
twist at the end.
 Irreverent: lacking respect for authority.
 Mocking/Condemning: using facts without
emotions.
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as
Longman Publishers
Recognizing Author’s Tone
Part (5)
 Objective: factual: using facts without








emotions.
Obsequious: fawning for attention.
Optimistic: looking on the bright side.
Outspoken: speaking one’s mind on issues.
Pathetic: moving one to compassion or pity.
Pessimistic: looking on the negative side.
Prayerful: religiously thankful.
Reverent: showing respect.
Righteous: morally correct.
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as
Longman Publishers
Recognizing Author’s Tone
Part (6)
 Romantic: expressing love or affection.
 Sarcastic: saying one thing and meaning





another.
Satiric: using irony, wit, and sarcasm to
discredit or ridicule.
Sensational: over-dramatized or over-hyped.
Sentimental: remembering the good old days.
Serious/Earnest/Sincere: being honest &
concerned.
Tragic: regrettable or deplorable mistake.
p. 438/422
p. 440/423
Points of View in Editorial
Cartoons
 In an editorial cartoon, a point of view is made
without making a direct verbal statement.
 This is done through drawings and cartoons.
 See examples in your book or search the net
under “editorial cartoons.”
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as
Longman Publishers
To interpret an editorial cartoon, ask:
1. What is this about? (general topic)
2. Who or what is represented by the images
3.
4.
5.
6.
shown?
What is the main point that the cartoonist is
trying to get across?
What is the tone of the cartoon?
What is the cartoonist’s purpose?
What is the cartoonist’s point of view or
position on the subject?
p. 444/425 & 446/427
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as
Longman Publishers
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as
Longman Publishers
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as
Longman Publishers
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as
Longman Publishers
Summary Points
 Does a textbook reflect the author’s point of
view?
 What is the author’s point of view?
 What is the reader’s point of view?
 What is the difference between a fact and an
opinion?
 What is the author’s purpose?
 What is the author’s tone?
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as
Longman Publishers