Identifying the Writer’s Intention such as cause/effect, reasons, comparison and contrast, exemplification/analyzing supporting details, identifying evidential/subjective/objective approach

Identifying the Writer’s Intention: A Guide to Understanding Different Approaches in Writing

When reading any text, it's important to understand the writer's intention behind the words. The writer’s intention can shape the way the text is organized, the type of evidence presented, and the overall tone and purpose of the work. Writers often employ various methods to convey their points, such as cause and effect, comparison and contrast, exemplification, and more. Additionally, they may use an evidential, subjective, or objective approach to support their arguments. Recognizing these strategies helps you better understand and analyze the text.

Here’s an in-depth look at these strategies:

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1. Identifying the Writer’s Intention: Key Approaches

a. Cause and Effect

Definition: The writer explains how one event or condition leads to another, highlighting relationships between cause and effect.

Purpose: To demonstrate how a specific action, event, or situation results in a particular outcome.

How to Identify:

• Look for causal phrases like "because," "due to," "as a result," "consequently," or "therefore."
• Pay attention to statements that show how one thing leads to another.

Example:

• "The rise in global temperatures (cause) has led to melting ice caps (effect), which has contributed to rising sea levels (secondary effect)."

In this case, the cause is global warming, and the effects are the melting of ice caps and rising sea levels.

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b. Reasons

Definition: The writer provides reasons or justifications for a particular argument, belief, or action.

Purpose: To explain why something is the case or why the writer holds a particular position.

How to Identify:

• Look for phrases such as "because," "since," "for the reason that," or "due to the fact that."
• Often, reasons appear as support for an argument or claim made by the writer.

Example:

• "The government should invest in renewable energy because it reduces dependence on fossil fuels and helps combat climate change."

Here, the reasons for supporting renewable energy are the reduction of fossil fuel dependence and the fight against climate change.

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c. Comparison and Contrast

Definition: The writer compares two or more subjects to highlight similarities and differences.

Purpose: To examine how things are alike or different in order to clarify ideas, make decisions, or emphasize particular features.

How to Identify:

• Look for words like "similarly," "likewise," "in contrast," "on the other hand," "however," or "while."
• Sentences that present a side-by-side analysis of two or more things are characteristic of this approach.

Example:

• "While renewable energy is environmentally friendly, fossil fuels are less expensive in the short term."

This sentence compares two energy sources, pointing out the contrast between their environmental impact and costs.

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d. Exemplification

Definition: The writer uses examples to illustrate or explain a concept, making abstract ideas more tangible and understandable.

Purpose: To clarify, demonstrate, or emphasize a point through concrete instances or cases.

How to Identify:

• Look for words like "for example," "such as," "for instance," or "like."
• Examples often follow statements that need further elaboration or support.

Example:

• "There are many ways to conserve water. For example, turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save gallons of water each day."

Here, the example illustrates the broader concept of water conservation.

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e. Analyzing Supporting Details

Definition: The writer provides detailed explanations, facts, or evidence to back up their arguments or claims.

Purpose: To deepen understanding and validate the writer’s claims with specific data or examples.

How to Identify:

• Supporting details often follow a general claim or assertion.
• Look for specific facts, statistics, studies, or expert opinions that reinforce the writer’s main idea.

Example:

• "Research shows that children who read for at least 30 minutes daily perform better academically, with improvements in vocabulary and comprehension skills."

The supporting details here (research findings) bolster the writer’s argument about the benefits of reading.

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2. Identifying the Writer’s Approach: Evidential, Subjective, and Objective

The writer's approach to presenting information can be classified into three broad categories: evidential, subjective, and objective. Each approach affects how the writer supports their arguments and how the reader interprets the information.

a. Evidential Approach

Definition: The writer uses facts, data, research, or expert testimony to support their claims. The goal is to present verifiable evidence that can be substantiated.

Purpose: To provide solid, verifiable support for the argument, making the writing persuasive and credible.

How to Identify:

• Look for facts, statistics, studies, surveys, or quotes from reputable sources.
• The tone will be factual and focused on providing verifiable evidence.

Example:

• "A 2021 study by the World Health Organization found that air pollution contributes to over 7 million premature deaths annually."

The writer supports the argument with a concrete statistic from a credible source.

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b. Subjective Approach

Definition: The writer offers personal opinions, emotions, or beliefs, often with little or no direct evidence to support the claims. This approach can reflect the writer's individual perspective or feelings.

Purpose: To express personal views, preferences, or judgments, often in persuasive writing or narrative texts.

How to Identify:

• The tone may be emotional or opinionated.
• The writer uses phrases like "I believe," "In my opinion," or "I feel."
• There may be a lack of evidence or factual support.

Example:

• "I think that adopting a vegan diet is the best way to improve health and protect the environment."

The writer presents a personal opinion without providing scientific evidence or data to support the claim.

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c. Objective Approach

Definition: The writer aims to present information in a neutral, balanced way, without personal opinions or emotional language. This approach focuses on facts and avoids bias.

Purpose: To inform the reader with unbiased, neutral information, often used in academic, journalistic, and technical writing.

How to Identify:

• The tone will be neutral, factual, and impersonal.
• The writer will avoid emotional language and personal pronouns.
• Information is presented with clear evidence and without showing personal bias.

Example:

• "Climate change is caused by an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, according to scientific consensus."

This statement provides a fact-based explanation, without expressing personal opinion or emotion.

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3. Practical Tips for Identifying the Writer’s Intention and Approach

• Look for keywords and phrases: Words like “because,” “for example,” and “due to” can signal the type of reasoning the writer is using, such as cause and effect, exemplification, or reasons.
• Understand the tone: Pay attention to whether the writer is presenting facts (objective), sharing personal thoughts (subjective), or using evidence (evidential).
• Examine the structure: The way the writer organizes information (cause/effect, comparison, reasons) often reveals the approach being used to support the thesis or main argument.
• Assess the evidence: Consider whether the writer provides facts, data, or examples to back up claims (evidential), or whether they rely on personal opinion (subjective) or neutral facts (objective).

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4. Conclusion

Identifying the writer’s intention and approach is a key skill in reading comprehension and critical analysis. By recognizing whether the writer is using cause/effect, comparison/contrast, exemplification, or providing supporting details, you can better understand their reasoning and the structure of their argument. Additionally, recognizing whether the writer’s approach is evidential, subjective, or objective will help you assess the reliability, bias, and tone of the information presented. This knowledge enhances your ability to analyze texts critically and respond more effectively to the material you read.