Answer:
B) Determine the author’s relationship to the particular topic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author's point of view can be very influenced on any sort of connection that he has to the topic and that is the first thing to be noted, since it could create bias and make him or her ignore certain evidences that could disproof or contest the claim. Someone who smokes might be less inclined to accept all the studies about smoking causing cancer and/or being highly addictive, for example.