Does the communication succeed in substantiating the point the author/speaker set out to make?

1. All communication has a purpose, i.e., the objective of the communication: sometimes it is stated, sometimes it is unstated, sometimes there are both a stated and unstated purpose. What is the purpose of this communication? Is it stated or not? What are possible ulterior purposes? Note: it’s not necessary for you to believe that there is an ulterior purpose, rather, you need to examine possible ulterior purposes and bear that in mind as you read. Test their possible validity. With Shakespeare’s Tempest, the stated purpose is to entertain. However, there are some who believe that Shakespeare had an ulterior purpose, which was to point out the badness of colonialism. 2. What is the thesis or main point of the paper? What is the issue being addressed? (The actual point of the paper/presentation/etc. may not be stated. You might have to deduce what the author or speaker had in mind.) Is the question simple (single loop) or complex (double loop)? Hint: if it involves people, then it’s complex. Break the question or issue into sub-questions if necessary.3. Do I have a point of view or a position? What is it? Am I willing to discover that the other position is accurate?4. What kind of language is being used? Are there “fuzzy” words, emotionally loaded words, or (mis)leading words? Are all operational terms defined? 5. What information or evidence is being offered? Is it factual/data, provable, anecdotal, or opinion? What are the sources of the evidence? Are they credible? Do the authors/speakers or the referenced sources have anything to gain or lose? Are all relevant sides represented equally?6. What are the assumptions of the author/speaker including what the author assumes the reader knows or believes? Are they founded? What assumptions would the author have to be making in order to make the statements (s)he is making? What is her/his point of view?7. What conclusions are being drawn or implied? Does the evidence support it? 8. What judgments are being made, either stated or implied?9. Does the communication succeed in substantiating the point the author/speaker set out to make? 10. If this communication is accurate what are the implications?