When you read informational texts, it is important to evaluate the author's credibility. When you check an author's credibility, you are making sure he or she is a qualified expert on the topic. That means that the author has experience in the topic and can back up his or her opinions with facts.
An author might have a bias about a topic, depending on how that person feels about the subject. A bias is a prejudice against or in favor of a topic. This could prevent the author from giving a fair treatment of the subject matter. This may cause the author to include misleading facts or details in a text. A bias can cause an author to only share one side of an issue or to paint the opposing view with in a harsher light than is necessary. Even when an author has valid arguments, the author is not very credible if he or she makes up or distorts the other side of the story.
It is also important to analyze the author's reasoning. Think about how the author backs up his or her ideas and supports the ideas being presented. This will help you to spot biases in an argument.
One way to analyze an author's credibility is to look at his or her experience. You can search for information about an author online or in the publication you are reading. The information may give you clues about what shapes the author's arguments or ideas.
Here are some questions to ask that will help you determine an author's credibility:
Did you choose b. He writes reviews of new places in town? If so, you are correct. The author has a lot of knowledge and experience about the shops and other places that people can go to in town. His writing experience on this topic for the newspaper makes him an expert on the topic.
You should have chosen d. He is related to the owner of Sammy's Sunny Shop. The fact that the writer's sister owns the store he is writing about makes him biased about the topic of her store. He has a personal and family interest in seeing the store and his sister succeed, so he is less likely to give it a bad review.
Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:
Please evaluate the student's answers:
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With the economy in the shape that it is in, people can certainly use a new store in town that is easy on the wallet. After years of owning stores on Manhattan's Madison Avenue, the Finnen's took everything they knew and put it into this store. For those who are looking for style, great service, and great prices--look no further than Sammy's Sunny Shop.
A New Class Act in Town by Leon Seylorni
As children go back to school this fall, their parents can take heart knowing that there is a new store in town that understands their need to save money. Sammy's Sunny Shop on Fifth Street has bargain basement prices with all of the class of a modern boutique. Shoppers can find great styles for their whole families and pay about half the price they would find in most other stores. The owners of the store, Rachel and Marcus Finnen, usually greet customers as they come through the door. This "mom and pop" attitude is one of the things that makes their store great. They form a personal bond with their customers, even if they don't spend a dime.
About the Author
Leon Seylorni is a staff writer at the Sunday Sentinel, a newspaper that serves the entire tri-state area. He writes reviews of new places in town, especially those most suitable for families. He also reviews new films and plays that families might enjoy. His sister is Rachel Finnen, co-owner of Sammy's Sunny Shop on Fifth Street.