Cover the picture on the right side, and look only at the picture on the left. Can you tell what this is?
Now check the second picture to see if you guessed correctly!
In the picture on the left, some details are missing. Without these details, the picture is not clear. It only becomes clear when we look at the picture on the right.
Sometimes, writers present a distorted picture of reality by leaving out information instead of presenting all the facts.
Read the text and answer the question below.
How to Critically Evaluate Information
Smart readers don't simply accept what the writer says. They ask questions to check what information the writer left out, and why.
These questions can help you identify when a writer's message is distorted or biased:
Who: Who wrote this?
Why: Why did he write this? What is his purpose?
How: How does the writer try to attract my attention?
What: What information and points of view did the writer leave out?
These questions may seem obvious, but not all readers ask these questions. Instead, they concentrate on all the small details, and don't see "the big picture".
What is the main message in the above text? Choose ONE correct answer.
