An online source which may be read by anyone does not automatically mean it is MEANT for everyone.
EdFN
Reading Source Descriptor
As the word implies, a source descriptor describes a source. Even though it does not tell us the content of the source, it contains important information about it. Let us take a look at the example below:
As the word implies, a source descriptor describes a source. Even though it does not tell us the content of the source, it contains important information about it. Let us take a look at the example below:
Example 1
Source A
Adapted from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's National Day Rally speech delivered on 26th August 2012.
Source A
Adapted from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's National Day Rally speech delivered on 26th August 2012.
In Asia, I expect many countries will continue to rise and especially the biggest ones - China and India. And they will compete against us in many business areas - manufacturing, services, R&D and in some areas they will surpass us and some parts of China and India will certainly surpass us. But at the same time, these big giants will offer many opportunities for Singaporeans. Their cities: Shanghai, Beijing, Mumbai, Bangalore will become even more vibrant and exciting places to live and work. For Singaporeans, it will be very pleasant too.
Credit: © The Straits Times
In the case of the above example, the words in bold above the 'box' or source describe the source. Without looking at the source content, the source descriptor alone gives us some ideas what the source is about. So now we know that the source is adapted from a speech by PM Lee during the National Day Rally.
The source descriptor can help you to answer the source-based question better if you know how to 'extract' as much information from it as possible. There are 3 things you need to take note of whenever you have to 'extract' information from the source descriptor. I call it the C.I.A approach. It stands for the Context-Identity-Audience (C.I.A)TM. Find out what each means
The source descriptor can help you to answer the source-based question better if you know how to 'extract' as much information from it as possible. There are 3 things you need to take note of whenever you have to 'extract' information from the source descriptor. I call it the C.I.A approach. It stands for the Context-Identity-Audience (C.I.A)TM. Find out what each means
Enter the name for this tabbed section: C.I.A
C.I.A
Enter the name for this tabbed section: CONTEXT
C
And so is 'National Day Rally', which tells us the occasion under which the speech was delivered. From the published date, we know that it was delivered after the National Day celebration. It was during the period when the people were celebrating the birth of the nation. And from 'National Day Rally', we can assume that this source has something to do with national issues or issues concerning most people in Singapore.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: IDENTITY
I
Relationship refers to the nature of 'connection' between the source creator and the subject issue he is talking about. We know that PM Lee is the source creator and we know that he's a political leader. But how is he 'connected' to the subject issue? In a way, he delivered that speech in the capacity of a political leader of our country. Do you think his job scope would affect the content of the source? Would it affect the way he had said certain things?
Enter the name for this tabbed section: AUDIENCE
A
After you have 'extracted' the information from the source descriptor, you have to 'pull' all the information together to make sense out of it so that you can see what the source is really trying to say. By applying the C.I.A approach in dealing with source descriptors, it helps you to understand the source in its proper context and minimise the chances of you misinterpreting the source. Having said so, the source descriptor should not be read in total isolation from the content of the source. In other words, a proper understanding of a source depends on accurate reading of its content and the source descriptor.
Frequently Asked Questions
The nature of relationship between two persons or things refers to the kind of bond they hold with each other that shapes their relationship. One example would be the relationship between a fishmonger and his fish. The fishmonger owns the fish until it is sold to his customers for money. The relationship is such that he would rather want the money than to have the fish remaining with him at the end of the day. Thus, that kind of relationship would influence him to act in a certain manner so as to convince his customers that his fish are worth the money they are paying for. In a way, we can expect the bond between a fishmonger and his fish to be a financial one.
Target audience refers to a specific target group of audience which a source is 'talking' to. Say for example, the website Motherhood can be read by anyone who has internet access. But it does not automatically mean that it is MEANT for everyone. The specific target group of audience that the website is trying to reach is mothers or would-be-mothers. So the content is designed specifically for mothers. In a way, it is most relevant to them. Understanding who the exact audience is can give you a better idea what the source content is trying to achieve.
This may not always be the case. Sometimes, you may get all three of them. Other times, it may just be one or two. It really depends on the source that the setter has used and the amount of information he or she wants to release to you. Whatever the case may be, you have to learn to apply C.I.A to the best of your ability to understand the source well.
This is an unlikely situation. However, if it does happen, then you can only rely on the content of the source or your own prior knowledge to figure out what the source is trying to say or achieve.
