This document contains notes from an English class. It discusses determining whether statements are facts or opinions, introduces critical thinking concepts like bias and point of view, and provides vocabulary words for students to define. The teacher explains how biases can influence legal judgments and asks students whether jurors are capable of setting aside biases when deciding cases based on facts and law alone. Students are assigned to write sentences using 20 vocabulary words for the next class.

1. English 72
WEEK 12 DAY 2
THURSDAY, 11/14/13
MRS. BUCHANAN

2. Is the following sentence a fact or an opinion?
 Roxanne Black, the author of Unexpected
Blessings, has written an important book that
teaches readers the importance of doing for others.
a. Fact
b. Opinion
After you click in, place your vocabulary word
sentences on the counter.

3. Literature Circle #2
 Get into your groups.
 Upon completion of your discussion, write five words
from the “Vocabulary Expert” on the board.
 We will choose an additional 10 words for the
vocabulary list.

4. Introduction to Critical Thinking
 Last week we started discussing critical thinking by
learning about fact and opinion.
 Let’s check out this video to learn about the
importance of thinking critically.
 Critical thinking explained
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzV1pNQUX5s

5. What is Bias?
 How do you feel about the following statement? It
was made by a famous trial attorney from the early
20th century.
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Facts regarding the crime are relatively unimportant.
 Do you believe this to be true?
 If so, you may have a bias in which you believe that it
doesn’t matter what the defendant in the trial did as
long as he/she has a good attorney, he/she will be
acquitted of the crime.
 Or you may also believe that if the defendant is
attractive, the jury will not find him/her guilty.

6. Bias
 Bias is a strong leaning in either a positive or
negative direction.
 Author’s have biases; therefore it is the critical
reader’s job to discover what they are.
 Have you noticed any bias from the various readings
you read this semester?
 What about from the author of Unexpected
Blessings?

7. Bias
 As we learned from our lesson on Fact & Opinion, it
is very important to figure out if the author’s
opinions have been supported by facts and reasons.
 Then decide if the author’s bias has prevented the
making of a good argument.

8. Point of View
 Point of view is an opinion, attitude, or a judgment
on the part of an individual.
 We are going to look at a cartoon on the next slide.
 Notice how the descriptions they give the interview
reflect their personal biases.
 What are these biases.

9. Point of View

10. The Defendant’s Characteristics
 Read the essay (annotate) and notice the effect bias
can have on legal judgments.

11. Comprehensive Checkup
 What is the main idea of this selection?
a. Jurors can be influenced by the physical
appearance and actions of a defendant.
b. Jurors are unlikely to pay attention to the physical
characteristics of a defendant.
c. In Texas, judges were affected by the attractiveness
of the defendants.

12.  Paragraph 2 contains the following statement:
“Darrow overstated the case.” This is a statement of
a. Fact
b. Opinion
c.
Neither fact or opinion

13.  As used in paragraph 3, the word credible means
a. Easily deceived
b. Believable
Childish
d. Doubtful
c.

14.  In paragraph 5, the author helps readers understand
the different types of misdemeanors by providing
a. Definitions
b. Examples
Cause-and-effect relationships
d. Chronological order
c.

15.  Based on Cicero’s statement, readers can conclude
that he would advise jurors to
a. Carefully consider the appearance of the defendant
during jury deliberations
b. Disregard the appearance of the defendant during
jury deliberations
c. Both a and b
d. None of the above

16. Bias & Point of View
 Do you think jurors are
capable of setting aside
their biases and deciding
cases on the facts and
law alone?
 What leads you to your
conclusion

17. For Tuesday
Write sentences for the 20 vocabulary words:
Metamorphous: transformation
Indoctrinated: to instruct, teach
Gingerly: with great care
Deteriorated: to make or become worse
Solace: comfort in sorrow or distress
Antiquated: something that is out of date
Ailment: a bodily disorder or chronic disease
Renal: relating to, involving or located in the region of the
kidneys
 Malady: disease or illness
 Dialysis: process of removing someone’s blood, cleaning
it, and returning it back to the body.
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18. Elaborate: develop or present a theory policy or system
Woozy: being in a daze
Quadriplegic: a person who is paralyzed in both arms and legs
Transfusion: an act of transfusing donated blood
Obstinate: firmly or stubborn adhering to one’s purpose or opinion
Aplomb: self confident or assurance
Hemoglobin: oxygen carrying pigment or red blood cells that gives
them color and serves to convey oxygen to the tissue
 Fortuitous: happening by accident or chance rather than design
 Immobilize: prevent something or someone from moving or
operating as normal
 Manifest: to show or demonstrate; reveal
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