1. PURPOSE, TONE, AND MAKING INFERENCES Unit 9

2. Why Think About Purpose? Helps you recognize when informative writing has turned persuasive Even when authors primary intention is to inform, sometimes personal bias creeps in Remember, there are many ways to think about a topic other than the one the author is presenting Of course, knowing from the very beginning that the purpose is to persuade is just as important

3. Find Purpose in Meaning (main idea) An author write to express a point about a topic. When the author states or implies a main idea, the purpose is directly related. Main Idea is made up of a topic and the author’s controlling point. The controlling points are identified by looking for patters and biased words. A lot can be learned when you are able to identify an author’s main idea.

4. 3 General Purposes 1. To Inform – Purpose is to share information or instruct – Tone words such as objective, matter-of-fact, and straightforward describe this type of writing – Facts and descriptions – Textbooks are written in this format Topic Sentences: 1. The main causes of road rage are stress and anxiety. 2. A healthful diet includes several daily servings from each of the major food groups.

5. 3 General Purposes 2. To Persuade – Author tries to convince the reader to agree with him/her. – Tone words such as argumentative, forceful, controversial, supportive are used to describe the main idea. – Combination of facts and emotional appeals to sway the reader’s point of view. Topic Sentences: 1. Violence that arises from road rage must be harshly and swiftly punished. 2. How to achieve should be a part of public school education from elementary through high school

6. 3 General Purposes 3. To Entertain – Author sets out to captivate an audience – Grab interest and described as amusing, lively, humorous. – Creative and expressive language, vivid images, strong details that insight emotion. – Main Idea is often implied and rely heavy on tone words. Topic Sentences: 1. Think of our highways as a place to study how operating a powerful machine can turn normal people into four types of maniacs: the bully, the loudmouth, the speed demon, and the exterminator. 2. I am zealously committed to eating a balanced diet from the four basic food groups: low-calorie, low- carbohydrate, low-fat, and low-taste.

7. Try it Inform, Persuade, Entertain??? 1. Cloning human beings should be banned. 2. Bulimia and anorexia are two serious eating disorders. 3. Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. 4. Rely on Denta-Fresh toothpaste to stop bad breath just as millions of others have. 5. Spanking as a way to discipline a child has a long history in many cultures.

8. Purpose vs. Tone Purpose = the reason the author writes about a topic – inform, persuade, entertain – Check out page 463 for a list of purposes (there’s more than one way to say ‘inform’ (or entertain!). Tone = the author’s attitude toward a topic – objective = unbiased, neutral, formal – subjective = biased, emotional, informal – Check out page 454 for a list of example words

9. For example… “Diet Pepsi is light, crisp, and refreshing.” – Subjective (the adjectives) “Four score and seven years ago, our forefathers brought forth on this continent a new nation…” – Formal (higher level words and avoidance of pronouns) The gangs known as the Crips and Bloods formed during the late 1960s in California; they still exist today. – Neutral (just the facts) (also formal, unbiased, and objective)

10. a deeper understanding sad – emotional, depressed, blue, poignant, heartrending mad – angry, serious, boiling, crazy, foolish, nuts glad – happy, elated, joyful, thankful, relieved light – fresh, airy, tender heavy – grave, profound, important Just like multiple meanings, how you describe tone depends on the context.

11. Describe the Tone 1. “You can do anything if you put your mind to it. Come on! You can do it!” 2. “The best days were growing up on the farm before life became so fast-paced.” 3. “Animals can be divided into three groups based on the way they maintain body temperature.” 4. Tone can be expressed visually as well! Look at the picture on page 455. What is the tone (use from the word bank)?

12. Inferences An inference (or conclusion) is an idea that is suggested by the facts or details in a passage. An author suggests, or implies an idea, and the reader comes to a conclusion and makes an inference about what the author means. A valid inference is a logical conclusion based on evidence. An invalid inference is a false inference that is not based on the details, or facts in the text or on reasonable thinking.

13. VALID thinking process The VALID approach is made up of 5 steps. Step 1: Verify and value the facts Step 2: Assess prior knowledge Step 3: Learn from the text Step 4: Investigate for bias Step 5: Detect contradictions

14. Step 1: Verify and Value the Facts Keep a sharp eye out for facts Beware of false facts See the facts among the opinions Do not be tricked and misread the facts Once you have all the facts, only then can you begin to interpret the facts by making inferences

15. Step 2: Access Prior Knowledge Once you are sure of the facts, you then draw on your prior knowledge. What you already know can help you make correct inferences

16. Step 3: Learn from the Text Value and verify the facts Valid inferences are always based on what is stated or implied in the details. Learn to rely on the evidence in the text…invalid inferences go beyond the evidence. Skills pile up onto each other. A skill you learned in a previous chapter may help you make valid inferences.  Identifying stated and implied main ideas train you to look at the details. You make inferences to determine implied MI.  Author’s purpose and tone are often inferred based on the author’s word choice.

17. Step 4: Investigate for Bias Personal views are often based on prior experiences. Our personal views influence the way we process information. We may become suspicious and stereotype things we associate with a negative experience. Our bias can shape our reading of the author’s meaning. Note biased words and replace them with factual details as you form conclusions.

18. Step 5: Detect Contradictions Don’t be mislead or misjudge an initial impression. Consider other explanations that could logically contradict your first impression. There may be a better explanation for the set of facts than the first one that comes to mind.

19. Inferences in Creative Expression Textbooks contain clear and unambiguous language. Many other types of writing contain creative expressions that suggest deeper meaning. There are known as literary devices (pg. 517)  Connotation of words – emotional meaning  Metaphor – a direct comparison  Personification – giving human traits to things that are not human  Simile – an indirect comparison using like or as  Symbol – something that stands for or suggests something else.

20. Practice Page 505 – Practice 1 Page 516 – Practice 2 Page 519 – practice 3

21. KU 120 in Review Pre-reading Strategies Context Clues Main Idea & Supporting Details Thought Patterns  Time order  Space order  Compare/Contrast  Cause & Effect  Generalization/Example  Definition Fact & Opinion Tone, Purpose, Inferences Graphic Organizers K-W-L Venn Diagram Two Column Notes SQ3R Analytical Summaries Learning Styles Transition Words