Identify a statement that reveals the writer’s biases, stereotypes, and assumptions Determine the writer’s purpose in a writing sample Identify a statement that reveals the writer’s attitude Discern the stated or implied main idea of a passage

Identify a statement that reveals the writer’s biases, stereotypes, and assumptions Biased What does it mean when someone is biased? Bias is a prejudice that prevents someone from being impartial. Biased people show favoritism.

Example of a biased opinion The mother was biased towards her baby. She thought her baby was the cutest baby in the world! Other people saw her baby for what he was…. ( definitely NOT cute). Little Jon Jon had a face that only a mother could love.

Biased Opinion Biased writing may only give one side of an issue, may distort information toward a certain point of view, or could be outright misleading toward a particular point of view or way of thinking. Example: Your writing assessment papers are biased. You pick a side of the argument to agree with, and you are biased towards that side.

Example of Biased Opinion A magazine article is comparing two types of music players, but it is clearly in favor of only one of them. Notice if the author is presenting only one point of view as “THE TRUTH.” If an author is being truthful, he/she will usually present BOTH sides of an argument.

Identify a statement that reveals the writer’s biases, stereotypes, and assumptions Stereotypes What is a stereotype?  To characterize a person or thing into a particular “group” or “mold” based on previous prejudices or observations. Stereotypes are not always true or reliable.

Stereotype Example: Many police officers have been seen eating donuts in coffee shops. Because of this observation, many people have stereotyped policemen and people believe that all police eat donuts.

Stereotypes also go along with our assumptions To assume: To believe something is true without first knowing the facts or taking into account the individual situation. Example: I assume (stereotype) that “most” hard- core rappers have been arrested. I assume (stereotype) that most sweet old women on television have not been arrested.

This “stereotype” is not always true… that’s why it’s a stereotype and not a fact.

Stereotypes are based on our assumptions.  Look at the following pictures and write down the FIRST ASSUMPTION that comes to your mind about each person. Do this on your paper.

Did any of these assumptions come to mind? Nerd Dorky Unpopular Annoying Genius Makes good grades Now look at this one…

Do all gamers look like this? Write what assumptions come to your mind when you see this picture.

Did any of these assumptions come to mind? Never bathes Spends hours in front of the T.V. Couch potato Talks in “gamer code” Weird He must be violent since he plays violent games all day Messy Socially awkward

Last one… What stereotypes or assumptions do you make about these people?

Did any of these assumptions or stereotypes come to mind? Gangsters Killers Drug dealers Been arrested Uneducated From rags to riches Mean Had hard lives Can we create our own stereotypes? In other words, do we bring stereotypes upon ourselves. If so, how?

Identify a statement that reveals the writer’s attitude. Writer’s Attitude The writer’s attitude or feeling toward the topic shows up in the tone of the writing. This attitude can be stated clearly or implied.

Identify a statement that reveals the writer’s attitude. Let’s practice looking for attitude in a writing sample.

How do you know? The words “obvious enough” come directly from the writer’s opinions. This lets us know her attitude.

Identify a statement that reveals the writer’s biases, stereotypes, and assumptions

Determine the writer’s purpose in a writing sample Author’s Purpose for writing Some authors write to persuade others to agree with them, while others simply want to inform or educate.

In any case, you have to be able to understand why a writer is writing. Fill in the following reasons writer’s write on your own notes.

Reasons writers write:

Practice

Now let’s practice on our own…