CHAPTER 3 Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

CHAPTER 3: Analyzing Social Studies Materials Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Facts Facts are statements that can be proved to be true. Women used to be appointed to the U.S. senate to fill vacancies created by their husbands death. Today, there are 4 female U.S. senators with school- age or younger children. In 1992, Patty Murray (D-Washington) became the first working-mother senator.

CHAPTER 3: Analyzing Social Studies Materials Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Opinions Opinions are statements about the writers feelings or ideas about a topic. They cannot be proved or disproved. Political ambitions should take a backseat to parental responsibilities. (Continued) It is difficult to be both a good mother or father and a good senator.

CHAPTER 3: Analyzing Social Studies Materials Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Hypotheses Hypotheses are conjectures that are made for the purpose of explaining an event. They may be tested to be proved or disproved. If the majority leader avoids scheduling votes during the dinner hour, senators will have more dinners with their children. The presence of working-mother senators has affected the outcome of public policy measures. (Continued)

CHAPTER 3: Analyzing Social Studies Materials Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. conclusion A conclusion is a statement that can be supported by facts given in a passage or illustration. The U.S., which represents only 4% of the worlds population, is responsible for 25% of the pollution that is contributing to the greenhouse effect.

CHAPTER 3: Analyzing Social Studies Materials Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Supporting statements Supporting statements are provable facts that support a conclusion: (Continued) Support

A positive impact brings attention to the writers point of view. A negative impact brings attention to an opposing point of view. CHAPTER 3: Analyzing Social Studies Materials Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Written materials and graphics often carry an emotional impact that is designed to be influential.

CHAPTER 3: Analyzing Social Studies Materials Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. unstated assumption An unstated assumption is a fact, opinion, or idea that is taken for granted and not explicitly stated or proved: Bill Clintons presidency was an overall success. The country came out of a recession, unemployment was low, and there were few terrorist threats during his tenure.

CHAPTER 3: Analyzing Social Studies Materials Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. effect cause An effect, such as an important event, is connected to the cause, or the conditions that made it happen: The stock market crash of 1929 ended the economic prosperity of the 1920s. Cause:Cause: the stock market crash of 1929 Effect:Effect: the end of the prosperity of the 1920s

CHAPTER 3: Analyzing Social Studies Materials Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. point of view All writers have a point of view, or perspective. Consider when and why the writer is writing Look for clues in writings and illustrations

CHAPTER 3: Analyzing Social Studies Materials Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Historical context Historical context is the conditions of the time when historical materials were written. Evaluate historical writing in its context. Look for clues that indicate context, such as time period and conditions that are different or similar to those of the present.

CHAPTER 3: Analyzing Social Studies Materials Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. compare When you compare two things, you look for ways in which they are similar. SenateHouse of Representatives Part of the legislative branch Propose amendments to the Constitution Meet in the Capitol Research and write legislation

CHAPTER 3: Analyzing Social Studies Materials Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. contrast When you contrast two things, you look for ways in which they are different. SenateHouse of Representatives 100 members Members serve a 2-year term Members serve a 6-year term Presided over by the Vice President (Continued) 435 members Presided over by the Speaker of the House

CHAPTER 3: Analyzing Social Studies Materials Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. The way in which visual data is presented has an effect on its impact: It can minimize a large issue. It can sensationalize a minor issue. It can try to present information as clearly and fairly as possible.

CHAPTER 3: Analyzing Social Studies Materials Copyright © 2003 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. THE END Chapter Review QuizGED Practice Quiz Practice the skills you learned in this chapter by taking the Chapter Review Quiz or the GED Practice Quiz.