How can you determine an author's stance on a topic?

To determine an author's stance on a topic, analyzing the language, tone, and emphasis placed on certain points throughout the text is the most effective method. This approach allows readers to pick up on subtle cues that reveal the author's perspective and intent. For instance, specific word choices can indicate whether the author is supportive, critical, or neutral about a particular subject. Tone—the overall emotional quality of the writing—can also give insight into how the author feels about the topic. Additionally, the emphasis placed on certain points, through repetition or structural prominence, suggests which ideas the author views as most important or persuasive.

Using these analytical tools provides a nuanced understanding of the author's viewpoint, making it more reliable than methods such as counting paragraphs, which gives no indication of meaning or opinion. Guessing based on the title might lead to misconceptions, as titles often do not capture the full context of the argument presented in the text. Seeking a peer's opinion can offer a different perspective, but it lacks the direct analysis of the author's own words and style, which is crucial for accurately determining stance. Thus, thorough analysis of language and tone stands out as the most valid and insightful approach to understanding an author's position.