Critical Reading Mastery
C1 Lesson 4: Evaluating Purpose, Stance & Ideology
Goal:
Go beyond "what" the text says to understand "why" it was written, the author's attitude (stance), and their underlying worldview (ideology).
1. Critical Terminology
Stance
ជំហរ (Author's attitude/opinion)
Ideology
មនោគមវិជ្ជា (Belief system/worldview)
Bias
លំអៀង (Prejudice)
Implicit
ដោយមិនចំហ (Implied, not stated)
2. The Iceberg Model of Text
In advanced reading, the explicit text is just the tip. The real meaning lies beneath.
Explicit Text
(Words, Grammar, Facts)
Water Line (Inference Required)
Purpose (Why?)
Stance (Attitude)
Ideology (Worldview)
3. Analyzing with a Lens
Read the short text below. We can analyze it to find the author's hidden ideology regarding urban development.
Lens: Pro-Development vs. Conservation
"The city's skyline is finally maturing into a modern metropolis. While some cling to the past, trying to preserve inefficient low-rise structures, forward-thinking planners understand that vertical growth is the only sustainable path."
Analysis: Uses positive words ("maturing", "modern") for development and negative/dismissive words ("cling to the past", "inefficient") for preservation.
Author's Ideology: Progress is defined by modernization and efficiency; tradition is an obstacle.
4. Critical Evaluation Check
Text: "The government's handout program encourages dependency rather than empowering citizens to work."
1. What is the author's likely ideological stance?Text: "These 'protesters' disrupted the morning commute, causing chaos for hardworking citizens."
2. How does the author frame the protesters? (Stance)
3. What does "Implicit Ideology" mean?
