Critical Thinking - 1.4 Seeking the Truth

Satire

A form of humor that cleverly makes fun of something, usually pointing out its flaws and critiques in a clever way.

Why do authors write? (5)

1. INSTRUCT

   • Author focuses on giving precise information and ensuring reader understands/follow instructions accurately.

2. ENTERTAIN

   • Novels, short stories, screenplays, or poems

   • Aims to engage reader using elements like humor, storytelling, and narration

3. INFORM

   • News articles, textbooks, and encyclopedias

   • To educate on a particular subject or provide new knowledge

4. PERSUADE

   • Goal is to influence the reader's beliefs, thoughts, feelings, or actions

5. DESCRIBE

   • Create vivid and detailed images in the reader's mind

Identifying an author's purpose reading critically because it allows you to do 2 things more effectively:

1. ANALYZE

   • evaluating the essence of author’s message and making sense of what they hope we think/feel after reading

2. DESCRIBE

   • Involves connecting dots, identifying main ideas & central themes, and making sense of information presented

Strategies in analyzing Author’s Purpose (5)

• Analyze the Title and Introduction

• Examine the Language

• Consider Target Audience

• Check Supporting Details/Evidence

• Check for Omissions

  (omitting certain details/perspectives to manipulate reader)

Nature of Bias

• Occurs when writer intentionally/unintentionally inserts own opinions/beliefs into writing

  Bias can occur due to writers:

• Personal experience

• Background

• Hired/Paid to write

How to check for Bias (6)

1. CHECK LANGUAGE

   • Emotionally charged words, subjective statements, or strong opinions indicate bias

2. CONSIDER SOURCES

   • Check sources cited by author

   • Are sources reputable, unbiased, and diverse?

3. LOOK FOR COUNTERARGUEMENT

   • Determine if author presents multiple perspectives on topic or only focuses on one side.

4. EXAMINE STRUCTURE

   • Biased writing may selectively present information, exaggerate certain facts, or omit opposing views

   • Is there a logical flow of ideas?

5. COMPARE WITH OTHER REPUTABLE SOURCES

   • If multiple reliable sources present similar information & perspectives, it can indicate greater objectivity 

Preventing Bias Encounters

• Stay away from blogs and social media and approach ".com" websites with suspicion

• The .edu domain is only given to educational institutions

• The .gov domain is only given to government agencies/organizations

• The .org domain is usually associated with nonprofit organizations, charities, or advocacy groups

Conformational Bias

Tendency to seek information confirming our existing beliefs and ignore or dismiss information that contradicts them

The 5-step study cycle

1. PREVIEW

   • Before attending a class or starting a new topic, take time to review the material quickly

2. PARTICIPATE

   • Actively participating in your class/lecture

   • Pay attention, take notes, and engage in discussions or activities

3. REVIEW

   • Go through your notes, highlight important points, and summarize the information in your own words

4. STUDY

   • Studying in more detail

   • Read the textbook chapters, watching instructional videos, or researching additional resources

   • Use active learning techniques like summarizing, creating flashcards, or teaching the material to someone else

5. ASSESS

   • Assessing your knowledge helps you identify gaps or areas needing further improvement

   • Solving practice problems, taking quizzes or exams, or engaging in other forms of assessment.

ISS (Intense Study Session) (4)

• Set a goal

• Eliminate distractions

• Break down complex info into smaller manageable pieces

• Reward yourself

• Review material you covered