Reading: Recognizing Author's Tone, Purpose and Attitude: B2 Lesson 1: Identifying Author's Stance, Bias, and Underlying Assumptions
CEFR Level: B2 (Upper Intermediate)
Target Reading Sub-skill: Recognizing Author's Tone, Purpose and Attitude
Specific Focus: Identifying Author's Stance, Bias, and Underlying Assumptions
What You Will Learn
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Define and identify an author's stance or viewpoint on a topic.
- Recognize indicators of bias (unfair preference) in a text.
- Identify underlying assumptions (ideas the author takes for granted) in an argument.
- Critically evaluate how stance, bias, and assumptions affect a text's message.
Hello Cambodian Learners!
When you read articles or opinion pieces, especially at the B2 level, writers often have a particular viewpoint or stance on an issue. Sometimes, their personal beliefs or experiences can lead to bias – an unfair leaning towards one side. They might also have underlying assumptions, which are ideas they believe are true and expect you to believe too, without always stating them directly. Being able to identify these elements helps you read more critically and understand the full picture, whether you're reading about local developments in Battambang or global events.
Understanding Stance, Bias, and Assumptions
Click on the text samples to hear them.
1. Author's Stance (Viewpoint)
This is the author's main opinion, position, or attitude towards the topic they are writing about.
Stance: The author is against uncontrolled urban development due to its negative environmental and cultural impacts.
2. Bias
Bias is when an author shows an unfair preference for one side of an issue, often ignoring or downplaying opposing views. It can be shown through:
- Emotive Language: Using words that create strong feelings (e.g., "terrible," "amazing," "disaster," "miracle").
- One-Sided Arguments: Presenting only information that supports their view.
- Selective Presentation of Facts: Choosing only facts that help their argument and ignoring others.
- Stereotypes or Generalizations: Making broad statements about groups of people.
Bias: The author strongly favors the project, using overly positive language ("brilliant," "fantastic") and dismissing opposition ("only those who don't understand progress," "all sensible citizens").
3. Underlying Assumptions
These are ideas or beliefs that the author accepts as true (and expects the reader to accept) without providing proof or explanation. They are often unstated.
Underlying Assumptions could be:
- All students have access to electricity and the internet to use laptops effectively.
- Laptops are the most critical factor for improving education (more so than teacher training, curriculum, etc.).
- All students and teachers know how to use laptops for educational purposes.
Practice Time!
Activity 1: Identify the Author's Stance
Read each short text excerpt. Then choose the option that best describes the author's stance or main viewpoint.
Activity 2: Spotting Bias or Assumptions
Read the text excerpt. Does it show clear bias or rely on a significant underlying assumption? If so, what is it?
Quick Quiz!
Great Job!
Learning to identify an author's stance, potential biases, and underlying assumptions is a vital part of critical reading. It helps you evaluate information more thoroughly and form your own informed opinions!