Author’s attitude | Praxis Core Reading | Khan Academy

Khan Academy Praxis
26 Mar 201906:00
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe instructor analyzes the author's attitude towards dowsing, identifying it as skeptical through the use of loaded language such as 'unlikely', 'allegedly', and scare quotes around 'pull'. The discussion explores various options like hostile, admiring, indifferent, and optimistic, ultimately concluding that skeptical best matches the author's tone.

Takeaways
  • 📚 The instructor begins by emphasizing the importance of understanding the stem to guide the reading of the passage.
  • 🔎 The task is to determine the author's attitude towards dowsing, an unfamiliar concept to many students.
  • 🧐 The instructor suggests looking for specific words in the passage that reveal the author's feelings about dowsing.
  • 🤔 The term 'unlikely' used by the author to describe dowsing is highlighted as a clue to their attitude.
  • 📌 The use of quotation marks around 'pull' and the word 'allegedly' indicate skepticism from the author.
  • 🔮 Dowsing is described as a process where a dowser uses a fork-shaped twig to locate objects, which the instructor finds dubious.
  • 🧬 Despite the lack of scientific basis, dowsing remains popular among believers in paranormal activities, noted in a seemingly objective tone.
  • 🤨 The instructor identifies 'allegedly', 'unlikely', and scare quotes as indicators of the author's skepticism but not hostility.
  • 🚫 The options 'hostile' and 'optimistic' are dismissed as too extreme in comparison to the author's tone.
  • 🤔 The term 'indifferent' is ruled out as the author clearly expresses an opinion on the matter.
  • 🎯 The instructor concludes that 'skeptical' best describes the author's attitude, supported by the language used in the passage.
  • 📈 A technique suggested is to rate the author's attitude on a scale from one to five, helping to narrow down the correct sentiment.
Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video script?

    -The main topic of the video script is the analysis of the author's attitude towards dowsing, a practice also known as divining or doodlebugging.

  • What does the instructor suggest about the author's attitude towards dowsing?

    -The instructor suggests that the author's attitude towards dowsing can be described as skeptical, based on the use of words like 'unlikely,' 'allegedly,' and the quotation marks around 'pull.'

  • What is dowsing and what does it involve?

    -Dowsing is a process used to locate water, metals, or other objects. It involves a dowser holding out a fork-shaped twig or rod and walking with it outstretched until they feel a pull, which supposedly indicates the presence of the sought item below ground.

  • Why does the instructor believe the author's attitude is not 'hostile'?

    -The instructor believes the author's attitude is not 'hostile' because while there is resistance to the idea of dowsing, the language used does not convey a strong negative emotion that would be characteristic of hostility.

  • Why does the instructor dismiss the option 'admiring' for the author's attitude?

    -The instructor dismisses 'admiring' because the author's language, such as 'allegedly' and 'unlikely,' indicates doubt rather than admiration or belief in the effectiveness of dowsing.

  • What does the instructor mean by 'scare quotes' or 'air quotes'?

    -By 'scare quotes' or 'air quotes,' the instructor refers to the use of quotation marks around the word 'pull' to suggest skepticism or sarcasm, indicating that the author does not fully accept the described phenomenon.

  • What technique does the instructor suggest for evaluating the author's attitude?

    -The instructor suggests assigning a value to the author's attitude on a one-to-five scale, with one being very strong negative and five being very strong positive, to help eliminate other choices and find the most accurate match.

  • Why does the instructor eliminate the option 'optimistic'?

    -The instructor eliminates 'optimistic' because the author's language and the overall tone of the passage do not convey a hopeful or positive belief in the effectiveness of dowsing.

  • What does the instructor mean by 'Goldilocks option'?

    -The 'Goldilocks option' refers to finding the answer that is 'just right,' not too extreme or contradictory, and best matches the impression of the author's attitude as deduced from the passage.

  • How does the instructor approach analyzing the author's attitude in the passage?

    -The instructor approaches the analysis by looking for 'loaded language' or words that carry opinions, then summarizing the overall opinion, and finally matching it to the most appropriate descriptor on the negative-to-positive scale.

  • What is the significance of the word 'allegedly' in the passage?

    -The word 'allegedly' is significant as it suggests that the author is not fully convinced of the claims made about dowsing, indicating a skeptical or doubtful stance.

Outlines
00:00
🔍 Analyzing Author's Attitude Towards Dowsing

The instructor begins by emphasizing the importance of understanding the author's attitude towards dowsing before diving into the passage. The author's skepticism is evident through the use of words like 'unlikely' and 'allegedly', suggesting a disbelief in the effectiveness of dowsing. The instructor points out the use of quotation marks around 'pull' as a sign of sarcasm, further indicating the author's doubtful stance. The passage describes dowsing as a process without scientific basis but still popular among paranormal believers. The instructor guides the audience to identify loaded language and opinions in the text, ultimately suggesting that the author's attitude can be best described as skeptical.

05:03
📊 Assigning Attitude Value on a Scale

In this paragraph, the instructor discusses a technique for identifying the author's attitude by assigning a value on a scale from one to five, with one being very strong negative and five being very strong positive. The instructor uses the example of the author's attitude towards dowsing, which is placed at a two on the scale, indicating a skeptical stance. The technique involves creating a descriptor for the author's attitude and then finding its place on the scale to help narrow down the options and find the most accurate representation of the author's sentiment. The goal is to find the 'Goldilocks' option that is not too extreme but matches the reader's impression of the author's attitude.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Dowsing
Dowsing, also known as divining or doodlebugging, is the practice of using a forked stick or rod to locate water, metals, or other objects by walking and feeling a pull when the object is below ground. In the video, dowsing is described as an unlikely process, indicating the author's skepticism about its effectiveness. The term is central to the video's theme, which explores the author's attitude towards this practice.
💡Author's Attitude
The author's attitude is a critical concept in the script, as it guides the interpretation of the passage about dowsing. The author's attitude is inferred through the use of specific words like 'unlikely,' 'allegedly,' and the quotation of 'pull,' suggesting skepticism or doubt about the validity of dowsing. It is the lens through which the audience is encouraged to view the practice of dowsing.
💡Unlikely
The term 'unlikely' is used by the author to describe the process of dowsing, implying that it is improbable or not very likely to be true or to occur. This word choice reflects the author's skepticism and is a key indicator of their attitude towards dowsing, which is a central theme in understanding the author's perspective.
💡Allegedly
The use of 'allegedly' in the script suggests that the author is not fully convinced about the claims made regarding dowsing. It is used to qualify the statement that the dowser feels a pull, indicating that this sensation is not a proven fact but rather a claim or belief. This term reinforces the author's skeptical attitude towards dowsing.
💡Sarcasm
Although not explicitly stated, the script suggests that the author may be using sarcasm when discussing the 'pull on the object.' The use of quotation marks around 'pull' and the description of the process as 'unlikely' hint at a tone of sarcasm, which is a form of irony that mocks or conveys contempt. This contributes to the overall skeptical tone of the author's attitude.
💡Paranormal Activity
Paranormal activity refers to phenomena that are beyond the scope of normal scientific understanding and may involve supernatural elements. In the context of the video, dowsing is associated with paranormal activity because it lacks a scientific basis yet is still popular among believers. This concept is used to frame dowsing as a subject of skepticism within the video's narrative.
💡Scientific Basis
The lack of a scientific basis for dowsing is mentioned in the script, highlighting that there is no empirical evidence or scientific theory to support the practice. This point is crucial in understanding the author's skepticism and contributes to the argument that dowsing is an unlikely process.
💡Loaded Language
Loaded language refers to words or phrases that carry a strong emotional connotation or bias. In the script, terms like 'unlikely,' 'allegedly,' and the use of quotation marks around 'pull' are examples of loaded language that convey the author's skepticism and influence the audience's perception of dowsing.
💡Hostile
Hostility is considered as a potential attitude of the author towards dowsing. However, the script suggests that while the author is skeptical, the term 'hostile' might be too strong, indicating a more nuanced attitude that leans towards skepticism rather than outright hostility.
💡Admiring
Admiration is an attitude that the author does not display towards dowsing, as evidenced by the skeptical language used in the script. The author's use of terms like 'allegedly' and 'unlikely' contrasts with an admiring attitude, which would involve more positive and accepting language.
💡Indifferent
Indifference would imply that the author has no particular opinion or interest in dowsing. However, the script shows that the author has a clear opinion, expressed through skeptical language, thus making it unlikely that the author is indifferent to the subject.
💡Skeptical
Skepticism is the attitude that best matches the author's language and approach to dowsing as described in the script. The use of words like 'unlikely' and 'allegedly,' along with the context in which they are used, points to a skeptical view of the practice, making it the most fitting description of the author's attitude.
💡Optimistic
Optimism is an attitude that suggests a positive outlook or belief in the effectiveness of something. In the context of the video, the author's language does not convey optimism about dowsing. Instead, the skeptical tone indicates a lack of belief in the practice, making optimism an unlikely descriptor of the author's attitude.
Highlights

The instructor begins by focusing on the stem to understand the author's attitude towards dowsing.

Dowsing is described as an unlikely process used to locate water, metals, or other objects.

The dowser uses a fork-shaped twig or rod and walks until they allegedly feel a pull.

The use of the word 'allegedly' and quotes around 'pull' indicate the author's skepticism.

The author seems to doubt the effectiveness of dowsing as described.

The instructor looks for words that expose the author's attitude towards dowsing.

The term 'unlikely' is used to describe dowsing, suggesting the author's disbelief.

The instructor considers the options of the author's attitude: hostile, admiring, indifferent, skeptical, and optimistic.

Hostility is deemed too strong a word compared to skepticism.

Admiration is ruled out due to the author's doubtful tone.

Indifference is dismissed as the author clearly has an opinion on dowsing.

Skepticism is identified as the most fitting description of the author's attitude.

Optimism is crossed out as it does not match the author's tone.

The instructor advises looking for loaded language to identify the author's opinion.

A technique of assigning a value on a scale from negative to positive is suggested to determine the author's attitude.

Skepticism is placed at a '2' on the scale, indicating a moderate negative attitude.

The instructor emphasizes finding the 'Goldilocks' option that best matches the author's attitude.

The importance of not choosing an option that is too extreme or contradictory is highlighted.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
DowsingSkepticismParanormalWater FindingMetal DetectionAuthor's AttitudeUnscientificBeliefPassage AnalysisCritical Thinking