All flashcards
Flashcard 1: Which sentence is an opinion: “The law passed in 2018” or “The law is unfair”?
Answer: “The law is unfair.”. 'Unfair' expresses judgment; dates are verifiable.
Flashcard 2: Identify the best clue that a text is biased rather than neutral.
Answer: Loaded, emotionally charged language. Emotional words reveal author bias, not neutrality.
Flashcard 3: What does it mean when an author distinguishes a position from others?
Answer: The author shows how the claim differs from opposing views. Authors contrast their stance with alternative views.
Flashcard 4: What is an objective tone in informational writing?
Answer: A neutral tone that avoids judgment and emotional language. Presents facts without personal bias or emotion.
Flashcard 5: What is a subjective tone in informational writing?
Answer: A personal, opinionated tone that shows feelings or judgments. Reveals the author's personal perspective.
Flashcard 6: Which feature most strongly suggests a text is reliable for supporting an author’s position?
Answer: Credible sources with verifiable facts and citations. Trustworthy evidence strengthens author credibility.
Flashcard 7: What is the difference between a fact and an opinion in informational text?
Answer: A fact is provable; an opinion is a belief or judgment. Facts can be verified; opinions express views.
Flashcard 8: What is loaded language?
Answer: Words with strong positive or negative connotations that influence readers. These words manipulate reader emotions and opinions.
Flashcard 9: Which phrase most clearly signals the author is refuting an opposing viewpoint?
Answer: However, this argument ignores. Shows the author challenging opposing arguments.
Flashcard 10: Which phrase most clearly signals an opposing viewpoint is being introduced?
Answer: On the other hand. This transition introduces contrasting perspectives.
Flashcard 11: What is a counterclaim or opposing viewpoint?
Answer: A position that disagrees with the author’s claim. Authors address counterclaims to strengthen arguments.
Flashcard 12: What is evidence in informational text analysis?
Answer: Facts, data, examples, or quotes that support a claim. Strong evidence makes claims more convincing.
Flashcard 13: What is an author’s point of view in an informational text?
Answer: The author’s attitude or position toward the topic. Encompasses beliefs, feelings, and stance on the subject matter.
Flashcard 14: What is a claim in an informational argument?
Answer: A statement the author wants the reader to accept as true. Claims form the foundation of argumentative texts.
Flashcard 15: Which purpose best matches a text that shows how or why something happens step by step?
Answer: To explain. Step-by-step texts clarify processes or causes.
Flashcard 16: Which purpose best matches a text that mainly gives facts and definitions about a topic?
Answer: To inform. Factual texts primarily educate without persuading.
Flashcard 17: Which purpose best matches a text that argues for a policy change using reasons and evidence?
Answer: To persuade. Arguments with reasons aim to convince readers.
Flashcard 18: What is an author’s purpose in an informational text?
Answer: The author’s main reason for writing (inform, persuade, explain). These three goals drive most informational writing.
Flashcard 19: Which word choice is most likely to signal a negative bias: “firm” or “stubborn”?
Answer: Stubborn. Carries negative judgment vs. neutral 'firm.'
Flashcard 20: Which word choice is most likely to signal a positive bias: “inexpensive” or “cheap”?
Answer: Inexpensive. Has positive connotation vs. negative 'cheap.'
Flashcard 21: Which purpose best matches a text that argues readers should change a behavior?
Answer: Persuade. Aims to convince readers to adopt new actions or beliefs.
Flashcard 22: Which method is an author using when they compare two options to show one is better?
Answer: Comparison and contrast to strengthen the claim. Highlights advantages through systematic comparison.
Flashcard 23: Which method is an author using when they quote experts to support a position?
Answer: Appeal to authority (expert testimony). Uses credible sources to build trust and support claims.
Flashcard 24: Which feature most often signals bias in informational writing?
Answer: One-sided selection of facts and loaded word choice. Bias shows through selective evidence and emotional language.
Flashcard 25: What does it mean to analyze how an author distinguishes their position from others?
Answer: Explain how the author contrasts their view with opposing views. Shows how authors separate their ideas from competing perspectives.
Flashcard 26: Which transition most strongly signals that the author is about to contrast viewpoints?
Answer: However. This transition word introduces opposing or different ideas.
Flashcard 27: Which phrase most clearly signals the author is introducing an opposing view?
Answer: Some people argue that…. Acknowledges what others believe before presenting counterarguments.
Flashcard 28: What is a rebuttal?
Answer: The author’s response that refutes a counterclaim. Defends the main argument by disproving opposing claims.
Flashcard 29: Which option best describes a fair treatment of opposing viewpoints?
Answer: Accurately summarizes them and responds with evidence. Fairness requires honest representation before disagreeing.
Flashcard 30: Identify the tone: “This policy is a reckless mistake that harms families.”
Answer: Critical and negative. Strong negative words reveal disapproval and opposition.