This document discusses bias in writing. It defines bias as prejudice or favoritism towards something an author is writing about that clouds their objectivity. It provides tips for recognizing bias such as looking for loaded words, stereotypes, vague language, one-sided arguments, and whether facts or opinions are presented. An example analyzes a passage and identifies instances of bias including stereotyping, one-sided arguments, and vague language. It concludes by reminding readers to look for these signs of bias.
3. EXAMINE BIASES (FOR OR AGAINST)
MADE BY THE AUTHOR
English 8 Quarter 3 Lesson 1
4. What is Bias in Writing?
Bias in writing can be defined as:
o A prejudice against something an author is writing about.
o Favoritism for something an author is writing about.
o An author letting feelings or emotions cloud his/her objectivity
with regard to something he/she is writing about.
5. Recognizing Bias
Look for loaded words
Watch out for stereotypes
Notice vague language or
generalizations
Be on the lookout for
one-sided arguments
Does the author present
facts or opinions?
6. An Example of Bias:
When I met with Mayor Geovelli, I noticed that he had the appearance of a
hobo. He was unshaved and wearing dirty clothes. He spoke to me about his
horrible plan to fix our city’s roads. Anyone who knows the plan will tell you that
it will bankrupt our city. The plan to fix our roads mostly benefits friends of the
Mayor. He plans to pay his buddies in the construction business thousands of
dollars over the next two years. I do not want to insult anyone, but the Mayor is
of Italian descent, and we all know what reputation they have in this part of the
country. Need I remind you of Al Capone and other Italian Mafia members?
7. Let us spot bias.
When I met with Mayor Geovelli, I noticed that he had the
appearance of a hobo.
Noun
- A wandering homeless person,
especially (historical) one illegally
travelling by rail or a penniless,
unemployed bum.
8. Let us spot bias.
He was unshaved and wearing dirty clothes
one sided
He spoke to me about his horrible plan to fix our
city’s roads
vague language
9. Let us spot bias.
Anyone who knows the plan will tell you that it will bankrupt our city. The plan
to fix our roads mostly benefits friends of the Mayor. He plans to pay his
buddies in the construction business thousands of dollars over the next two
years.
fact opinion
10. Let us spot bias.
I do not want to insult anyone, but the Mayor
is of Italian descent, and we all know what
reputation they have in this part of the country.
Need I remind you of Al Capone and other
Italian Mafia members?
Stereotype is a thought that may be adopted about
specific types of individuals or certain ways of doing
things, but that belief may or may not accurately
reflect reality.
11. Brain Gym
Eating tomatoes is
good for you. Tomatoes
contain vitamin C. Research
studies show that eating
tomatoes lower the risk of
cancer because they
contain lycopene.
Skittles are absolutely the
best. They are the most
delicious choice when looking
for a sweet treat. Did you know
that Skittles are healthy too?
You will not find any trans-fat or
cholesterol in this tasty snack.
Which one contains bias?
12. Eating tomatoes is
good for you. Tomatoes
contain vitamin C. Research
studies show that eating
tomatoes lower the risk of
cancer because they
contain lycopene.
Skittles are absolutely the
best. They are the most
delicious choice when looking
for a sweet treat. Did you know
that Skittles are healthy too?
You will not find any trans-fat or
cholesterol in this tasty snack.
Check you answer.
13. Remember
Look for loaded words
Watch out for stereotypes
Notice vague language or
generalizations
Be on the lookout for
one-sided arguments
Does the author present
facts or opinions?
Editor's Notes
Look for loaded words – words that are charged with emotion (whether positive or negative) can reveal an author’s opinion about his/her topic.
Watch out for stereotypes – if the author labels an entire group, the writing is probably biased.
Notice vague language or generalizations – if the author isn’t using specific language, this could be an indicator of bias.
Be on the lookout for one-sided arguments – if the author only presents one side of an argument, his/her writing is probably biased.
Does the author present facts or opinions? Facts are what they are – the truth. But opinions can be based on feelings, emotions, or prejudices, which aren’t objective.
When I met with Mayor Geovelli, I noticed that he had the appearance of a hobo (a loaded, negatively charged word). He was unshaved and wearing dirty clothes (one sided – notice that the author doesn’t tell us why the Mayor was dressed this way. Maybe there was a good reason). He spoke to me about his horrible plan to fix our city’s roads (vague language – what specifically is horrible about it?). Anyone who knows the plan will tell you that it will bankrupt our city (is this a fact or opinion? The author offers no supporting evidence). The plan to fix our roads mostly benefits friends of the Mayor. He plans to pay his buddies in the construction business thousands of dollars over the next two years. I do not want to insult anyone, but the Mayor is of Italian decent, and we all know what reputation they have in this part of the country. Need I remind you of Al Capone and other Italian Mafia members? (This is clearly a stereotype – not all Italians are mobsters).
When I met with Mayor Geovelli, I noticed that he had the appearance of a hobo (a loaded, negatively charged word). He was unshaved and wearing dirty clothes (one sided – notice that the author doesn’t tell us why the Mayor was dressed this way. Maybe there was a good reason). He spoke to me about his horrible plan to fix our city’s roads (vague language – what specifically is horrible about it?). Anyone who knows the plan will tell you that it will bankrupt our city (is this a fact or opinion? The author offers no supporting evidence). The plan to fix our roads mostly benefits friends of the Mayor. He plans to pay his buddies in the construction business thousands of dollars over the next two years. I do not want to insult anyone, but the Mayor is of Italian decent, and we all know what reputation they have in this part of the country. Need I remind you of Al Capone and other Italian Mafia members? (This is clearly a stereotype – not all Italians are mobsters).
When I met with Mayor Geovelli, I noticed that he had the appearance of a hobo (a loaded, negatively charged word). He was unshaved and wearing dirty clothes (one sided – notice that the author doesn’t tell us why the Mayor was dressed this way. Maybe there was a good reason). He spoke to me about his horrible plan to fix our city’s roads (vague language – what specifically is horrible about it?). Anyone who knows the plan will tell you that it will bankrupt our city (is this a fact or opinion? The author offers no supporting evidence). The plan to fix our roads mostly benefits friends of the Mayor. He plans to pay his buddies in the construction business thousands of dollars over the next two years. I do not want to insult anyone, but the Mayor is of Italian decent, and we all know what reputation they have in this part of the country. Need I remind you of Al Capone and other Italian Mafia members? (This is clearly a stereotype – not all Italians are mobsters).
When I met with Mayor Geovelli, I noticed that he had the appearance of a hobo (a loaded, negatively charged word). He was unshaved and wearing dirty clothes (one sided – notice that the author doesn’t tell us why the Mayor was dressed this way. Maybe there was a good reason). He spoke to me about his horrible plan to fix our city’s roads (vague language – what specifically is horrible about it?). Anyone who knows the plan will tell you that it will bankrupt our city (is this a fact or opinion? The author offers no supporting evidence). The plan to fix our roads mostly benefits friends of the Mayor. He plans to pay his buddies in the construction business thousands of dollars over the next two years. I do not want to insult anyone, but the Mayor is of Italian decent, and we all know what reputation they have in this part of the country. Need I remind you of Al Capone and other Italian Mafia members? (This is clearly a stereotype – not all Italians are mobsters).
Look for loaded words – words that are charged with emotion (whether positive or negative) can reveal an author’s opinion about his/her topic.
Watch out for stereotypes – if the author labels an entire group, the writing is probably biased.
Notice vague language or generalizations – if the author isn’t using specific language, this could be an indicator of bias.
Be on the lookout for one-sided arguments – if the author only presents one side of an argument, his/her writing is probably biased.
Does the author present facts or opinions? Facts are what they are – the truth. But opinions can be based on feelings, emotions, or prejudices, which aren’t objective.
