4. Read each message and decide whether it is biased or
not.Then, identify which propaganda technique is used.
Write your answers inyour answer sheet.
Is this message biased? Yes No
If it is, what propaganda technique does
it use?
Plain Folks Card Stacking
5. 6. Bias through statistics and crowd counts
To make a disaster seem more spectacular
(and therefore worthy of reading about), numbers
can be inflated. "A hundred injured in an air
crash“ can be the same as "only minor injuries in
an air crash," reflecting the opinion of the person
doing the counting.
6. 7. Bias by source control
To detect bias, always consider where the
news item "comes from.“ Is the information
supplied by a reporter, an eyewitness, police, or
Fire officials, executives, or elected or appointed
government officials? Each may have a bias that
is introduced into the story.
7. Companies and public relations directors supply
news outlets with puff pieces through news
releases, photos, or videos. Often news outlets
depend on pseudo-events (demonstrations, sit-
ins, ribbon cuttings, speeches, and ceremonies)
that take place mainly to gain news coverage.
8. 8. Word choice and tone
Showing the same kind of bias that appears in
headlines, the use of positive or negative words
or words with a connotation can strongly
influence the reader or viewer.
9. Where can you find bias?
1. Commercials on tv, movies, and the internet.
2. Political speeches given by politicians.
3. Documentaries are films that report on reality.
4. Editorials opinionated found in newspapers
that attempt to convince the reader
10. How can you break free from being tricked b
y bias?
1. Research issues
2. Consider both sides
3. Question what you read and hear
11. Read the news below, and list all examples you can f
ind of each form of bias along with the quote or
other evidence that shows the bias is there.
12.
13. Bias Evaluation Sheet
1. Bias through selection and omission:
____________________________
2. Bias through placement; __________
______________________________
3. Bias by word choice and tone:
14. 4. Bias by headline: _______________
5. Bias by photo, captions, and
camera angles: __________________
6. Bias through use of names and
titles: ___________________________
7. Bias through statistics and crowd
counts: _______________________
8. Bias by source control: __________
15. Identify the statement whether biased or not .
Rewrite them in each column of the table.
16. 1. Cats are not good for anything.
2. Cats and dogs can make good pets.
3. All types of music are considered a form of
art.
4. I only listen to rap because it’s the best type
of music.
5. Only tall people can play basketball.
18. Read each question carefully and encircle
the letter of the correct answer.
1. Which word indicates bias in the statement?
“ This is the best tasting coffee”.
a. this
b. best
c. tasting
d. coffee
19. 2. Which statement contains bias?
a. Shoppers at a supermarket are asked to choose the
best dog food.
b. Cats can grow their whiskers back from to three
months.
c. Dog’s noses are wet to help absorb scent chemicals.
d. A shopping mall contains a variety of retail
stores.
20. 3. Which advertisement line contains an author’s bias?
a. Good carbohydrates contain a lot of nutrients, create
fuel for our bodies, and don’t add a lot of sugar into
the blood.
b. First, let’s consider the age-old carbohydrate that
everyone loves oatmeal
c. Blackpeas, chickpeas, soybeans, and most beans are
other examples of good carbs.
d. Fruits such as peaches,plums, and cherries are
excellent high-fiber foods.
21. 4. Which group of words shows bias in the statement,”
I trust Defflam, so you should, too!”.
a. I trust b. trust Defflam
c. so you d. should,too
5. Which word shows bias in the advertisement:” Drink
cow’s milk. It’s the old folks’ favorite milk”.
a. drink b. milk
c . Old d. favorite
