Introduction: The "Big Three" of Reading

Welcome! When you read a news article, look at a poster, or scroll through a social media post, you aren't just looking at words and pictures. You are looking at choices. Every creator makes specific choices to achieve a goal. In this chapter, we will learn how to be "text detectives" by focusing on the Big Three: Purpose (the why), Audience (the who), and Bias (the perspective).

Understanding these concepts is the key to mastering Criterion A (Analysing). It helps you look past the surface of a text to see what is really happening.

1. Purpose: The "Why" Behind the Text

The purpose is the creator’s reason for making the text. Every text is created for a reason. If you can identify the purpose, you can understand why the creator chose certain words or images.

Common Purposes (The P.I.E. Method)

A simple way to remember the main types of purpose is the acronym P.I.E.:

  • Persuade: The creator wants to change your mind or get you to do something (e.g., an advertisement or an opinion column).
  • Inform: The creator wants to give you facts and data (e.g., a news report or an infographic).
  • Entertain: The creator wants to provide enjoyment (e.g., a comic strip or a travel blog).

Wait, there's more! In the MYP, we also look for more specific purposes, such as:
• To Raise Awareness: Making people care about a social issue.
• To Criticize: Pointing out the flaws in a system or idea.
• To Instruct: Showing you how to do something step-by-step.

Quick Tip: Most texts have more than one purpose! A blog post might inform you about a new gadget while also trying to persuade you to buy it.

2. Audience: The "Who" of the Text

The audience is the specific group of people the creator wants to reach. Creators change their register (the level of formality) and style depending on who they are talking to.

How to Identify the Audience

To figure out who the audience is, look for these clues:

  • Vocabulary: Is it simple and "slangy" (for teens) or technical and professional (for experts)?
  • Tone: Is it serious, funny, urgent, or comforting?
  • Visuals: Bright colors and cartoons might target children; sleek, minimalist designs often target adults.
  • Context: Where is the text found? An Instagram ad for sneakers has a different audience than a printed brochure in a doctor's office.

Analogy: Think about how you speak. You use different words when talking to your best friend (Audience A) than you do when talking to your school principal (Audience B). Creators do the exact same thing!

Key Takeaway: When analysing a text, always ask: "Who was this meant for, and how do I know?" Use specific examples from the text to justify your answer.

3. Bias: The "Lens" of the Text

Bias is a strong leaning or inclination toward a particular side or point of view. In the MYP, we often talk about perspective. No creator is perfectly "neutral"—everyone sees the world through their own lens based on their culture, experiences, and values.

How to Spot Bias

Bias isn't always "bad," but as a critical reader, you must be able to spot it. Look for:

  • Loaded Language: Using words with strong positive or negative connotations. (Example: Calling someone "stubborn" vs. calling them "firm.")
  • Omission: Leaving out certain facts or viewpoints to make one side look better.
  • Selection of Sources: Only interviewing people who agree with the creator's point of view.
  • Imagery: Using a flattering photo of one person and an unattractive, blurry photo of another.

Did you know? Even a "factual" news report can be biased based on which story the editors choose to put on the front page!

4. How They Work Together: The Connection

Purpose, Audience, and Bias are like three legs of a stool. If you change one, the others change too.

Example Scenario: A poster about healthy eating.

  • Purpose: To persuade children to eat more fruit.
  • Audience: Primary school students (ages 5–10).
  • Bias: The creator is biased in favor of health and nutrition; they will ignore the "benefits" of candy (like taste) to focus entirely on the vitamins in fruit.
  • Resulting Choices: The creator uses bright colors, a "fun" cartoon mascot, and simple words like "Superpower Snacks!"

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Mistake: Saying a text "has no audience." Every text has an audience, even if it's "everyone." However, it is usually better to be specific (e.g., "commuters in a big city" instead of just "people").
  • Mistake: Thinking bias is always a lie. A person can tell the truth and still be biased by choosing which truths to tell.
  • Mistake: Forgetting to use "The Evidence." On your eAssessment, you must justify your ideas. Don't just say a text is biased; point to a specific word or image that proves it.

Quick Review: Detective Checklist

When you are given a non-literary text to analyse, ask yourself these four questions:

  1. What: What is the content and genre? (Cross-reference: See the "News and feature articles" chapter for more on genre).
  2. Why: What is the purpose? (To persuade, inform, or entertain?)
  3. Who: Who is the target audience? (What clues in the language tell me this?)
  4. How: What perspective or bias is shown? (Are there "loaded" words or specific images used to make me feel a certain way?)

Final Encouragement: Don't worry if identifying bias feels tricky at first! Start by looking for the "feeling" of a text. Does it feel like it's rooting for one side? If so, you've found the bias!