Elements of Nonfiction

Transcription

1 P Elements of Nonfiction FACT AND OPINION Most persuasive writers use facts and opinions to support their claims. A fact is. An opinion is. A well substantiated opinion is. Bias is. Bias can be detected by looking for: 1

2 Directions: As you read the article and editorial, identify significant facts and opinions and write them in this chart. The first one is done for you. Then answer the question that follows the chart. Selection/Location Example Fact/ Opinion Life?, lines 2 3 Life, lines 32 34; Life, lines (you find one) A 1999 poll found that loss of privacy is the number-one concern of Americans. Fact The Privacy Debate, lines The Privacy Debate, lines The Privacy Debate, lines (you find one) Review the chart you filled in as you read. Does each writer rely more on fact or opinion in making his or her case? Use the evidence in the chart to help you decide. The author of Life? uses more to make her case that fact/opinion This makes her case effective because. --The author of The Privacy Debate uses more to make his case that fact/opinion This makes his case effective because. 2

3 Reading Skill RECOGNIZE AND ANALYZE BIAS Bias is an unfair preference for or against a particular topic or issue. To detect bias, look for loaded language opinions unbalanced arguments overgeneralizations Directions: As you read the two articles, find examples (direct quotes) of each form of bias and write them in this chart. After you have found your examples, analyze how that particular form of bias affects the argument. Type of Bias Loaded Language Examples and Locations Amazingly, the privacy of my video-rental records is protected by federal law, but not the data in my medical records. How Private is Your Private Life, lines Unbalanced Argument Opinion Stated as Fact Overgeneralization 3

4 Name: Period: COPY MASTER Question Support 1. Analyze Argument What does Andrea Rock want to know? What does she find out? What does she think about her findings? How can you use a similar process in your own research and arguments? 2. Identify Modes of Reasoning You use inductive reasoning when you put together facts or evidence to come to a conclusion. Which article uses inductive reasoning? Explain how the article uses it. 3. Compare Texts Complete only one of these sentences. Life? makes the best argument because The Privacy Debate makes the best argument because 4

5 Name: Period: Vocabulary Study WORDS IN CONTEXT Directions: As your teacher reads each item, listen for the boldfaced word. Discuss possible meanings of the word, and write on the chart what you think the word means. After reading How Private Is Your Private Life? and The Privacy Debate, confirm or adjust your definitions. 1. Some advocacy groups help individuals safeguard their privacy by influencing the law. 2. That organization is our affiliate. It feeds us information and sales. 3. Would you like everyone to know you, or would you prefer anonymity? 4. Some people are articulate about privacy matters. Others can t speak clearly about it. 5. Some files go awry they become lost, or they contain errors. 6. My browser gives me access to the Web. 7. How disconcerting! It upsets me that someone was watching me and I didn t know it! 8. Privacy isn t a matter just for Democrats or Republicans. It is a nonpartisan issue. 9. Some beliefs are pervasive: Almost everyone shares them. 10. Surveillance methods can include secret cameras or listening devices. Vocabulary Word 1. advocacy Meaning in Selection 2. affiliate 3. anonymity 4. articulate 5. awry 6. browser 7. disconcerting 8. nonpartisan 9. pervasive 10. surveillance 5