Sometimes, the author’s bias—an inclination toward a particular belief—causes the author to leave out details that do not directly support the main idea or that support an opposite idea. The reader has to be able to notice not only what the author says but also what the author leaves out. Discovering the author’s bias and how the supporting details reveal that bias is also key to understanding a text.
Writers will often use specific techniques, or rhetorical strategies, to build an argument. Readers can identify these strategies in order to clearly understand what an author wants them to believe, how the author’s perspective and purpose may lead to bias, and whether the passage includes any logical fallacies.
Common rhetorical strategies include the appeals to ethos, logos, and pathos. An author uses these to build trust with the reader, explain the logical points of their argument, and convince the reader that their opinion is the best option.
An ethos (ethical) appeal uses balanced, fair language and seeks to build a trusting relationship between the author and the reader. An author might explain their credentials, include the reader in an argument, or offer concessions to an opposing argument.