Reading: Recognizing Author's Tone, Purpose & Attitude: B2 Lesson 1: Identifying Author's Stance, Bias, and Underlying Assumptions

Critical Reading

B2 Lesson 1: Stance, Bias & Assumptions

Goal: Identify what the author thinks (Stance), if they are unfair (Bias), and what they hide (Assumption).

Stance ជំហរ (Opinion/Position)

Bias លំអៀង (Unfair favor)

Assumption ការសន្មត (Hidden belief)

Objective សត្យានុម័ត (Facts only)

1. Bias = Tinted Glasses

🕶️

If you wear red glasses, everything looks red. Bias means the author only sees one side.

2. Assumption = The Iceberg

The Text is the tip (visible). The Assumption is hidden underneath (invisible but supports the text).

Compare these two texts about Tourism.

BIASED (NEGATIVE)

"Tourists are destroying our quiet town. They are loud, rude, and they drive up prices. We must stop them from coming immediately."

Stance: Against tourism.
Assumption: All tourists are bad. No tourists bring benefits.

BALANCED (OBJECTIVE)

"Tourism brings economic benefits to the town. However, it also creates challenges like traffic and waste management."

Stance: Neutral/Balanced.
Bias: None (shows both sides).

Text: "Smartphones are ruining the youth. Children today cannot focus because of these terrible devices."

1. What is the author's Bias? Anti-Technology (Negative) Balanced (Neutral)

Text: "You must buy this cream to be beautiful."

2. What is the hidden Assumption? The cream is cheap. You are not beautiful without it.