Final answer:
The author of an opinion piece may have an explicit or implicit agenda, which can be revealed through the analysis of their presented facts and arguments. An op-ed urging a particular economic policy is a normative statement, expressing a subjective viewpoint rather than objective information. Distinguishing between overt and covert political content is important to identify the underlying agenda.
Step-by-step explanation:
When evaluating whether the author of an opinion piece has an agenda, several aspects should be considered. The agenda of an author can be explicit or implicit within the content. An explicit agenda is when the author clearly states their goal or viewpoint, making it clear what their position is on the policy questions raised in the article. An implicit agenda, on the other hand, might be present when the writer's bias seeps through without a direct statement of intent, which can be seen through selective presentation of facts or one-sided argumentation. Thorough analysis of the tone, language, and content of the opinion piece is necessary to determine objectivity or bias.
For instance, an op-ed piece urging the adoption of a particular economic policy could be identified as a normative statement. Normative statements are opinions that express a value judgment about what ought to be as opposed to what is. By advocating for specific policy adoption, the writer is not just presenting the facts or making a value-neutral statement (a positive statement), but is expressing their opinion on what should happen, reflecting an underlying ideological stance.
Whether political content is covert or overt, recognizing the nature of the media information presented is crucial in identifying any underlying agendas. Overt political material is when the publisher or author clearly declares their ideological viewpoints, similar to political commentators like Rush Limbaugh or publications like Mother Jones. Contrastingly, covert political content attempts to appear neutral while subtly promoting a particular viewpoint.