amir is trying to determine the authors purpose as he reads the artcle the great mofasses flood for history class. he notices that the adjective shoddy and unsafe that are to decribe the tank that held the molasses have a negative feeling associated with them.
Based on your description, it seems that the author's purpose in using the adjectives "shoddy" and "unsafe" to describe the tank that held the molasses is to convey a negative perspective on the overall construction and maintenance of the tank. This negative description could suggest that the author wants to highlight the negligence or irresponsibility of those responsible for the tank, potentially setting the stage for discussing the disastrous consequences of the Great Molasses Flood. The author might be aiming to critique the inadequate measures taken in building and maintaining the tank, and the ensuing tragedy caused by this negligence.
Determining the author's purpose requires analyzing the tone and choice of words used in the article. In this case, the presence of the adjectives "shoddy" and "unsafe" to describe the tank indicates a negative feeling associated with it. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how Amir can determine the author's purpose:
1. Start by identifying the adjectives: The adjectives that catch Amir's attention are "shoddy" and "unsafe."
2. Understand the meanings of the adjectives: Amir should determine the definitions of the words "shoddy" and "unsafe" to fully grasp the author's intention. "Shoddy" means of poor quality or badly made, while "unsafe" means not safe or dangerous.
3. Recognize the negative connotation: Both "shoddy" and "unsafe" have negative connotations. These words suggest that the tank for holding molasses is of poor quality and poses a danger.
4. Consider the author's intention: Based on the negative connotation associated with the tank, the author's purpose might be to criticize or highlight the negligence or poor decision-making that led to the disaster. The use of these negative words suggests that the author wants to create a negative impression of the tank's construction and management.
By following these steps, Amir can conclude that the author's purpose in using adjectives like "shoddy" and "unsafe" is to emphasize the negative aspects of the tank's condition and draw attention to the potential causes of the Great Molasses Flood.
To determine the author's purpose as Amir reads the article "The Great Molasses Flood" for history class, he can make use of a few strategies:
1. Contextual Analysis: Amir should consider the overall context of the article. Is it presented as a historical account, a scientific analysis, or perhaps an opinion piece? Understanding the genre of the article can provide insight into the author's purpose.
2. Language Choice: Amir has already identified the use of the adjectives "shoddy" and "unsafe" to describe the tank that held the molasses. This language choice suggests that the author wants to portray a negative perception of the tank's condition. By highlighting these negative attributes, the author might be aiming to emphasize negligence, highlight the impending disaster, or create a sense of outrage.
3. Tone and Emotional Appeal: Amir should pay attention to the overall tone of the article. Does it convey anger, sadness, or perhaps a neutral tone? The author's use of negative language might be a deliberate attempt to evoke emotions in the reader and shape their perception of the event.
By combining these strategies, Amir can gain a better understanding of the author's purpose. It seems that in this case, the author may be trying to convey a sense of alarm or criticism regarding the circumstances leading up to the molasses flood.