1. Indicating Bias in a DBQ:”SPRIG” S ocietal P osition R eliability I ntent/Tone G roup “Sprig” definition: small twig; immature person. (really!)

2. Indicating Bias in a DBQ Author’s “Societal Position” Students show awareness that the gender, occupation, class, religion, nationality, political position, or ethnic identity of the author may well have influenced the views that are expressed. For example: "Baltasar Rusow, as a Lutheran pastor, was naturally upset by the celebration of a Saint's Day since Lutherans don't venerate saints."

3. Indicating Bias in a DBQ Reliability and accuracy of source : Students critically examine a source for its reliability and accuracy by questioning whether the author of the document would be in a position to be accurate and/or would likely be telling the truth. The student can also evaluate the type of source, e.g., a letter or official report, showing an understanding that different types of sources vary in their probable reliability.

4. Indicating Bias in a DBQ Reliability continued... "R. Lassels's report of the Carnival celebrations in Italy is probably accurate because as an outside observer, he is more objective." "R. Lassels's report of the Carnival celebrations in Italy is probably inaccurate because as an outside observer, he would not fully understand local customs."

5. Indicating Bias in a DBQ Tone or intent of the author: Students examine the text of a document to determine its tone (e.g., satire, irony, indirect political commentary) or the intent of the author. This may be particularly useful for visual documents. For example: "Brueghel painted The Battle Between Carnival and Lent to warn the people that their love of celebrating was overwhelming their religious observance of Lent."

6. Indicating Bias in a DBQ Grouping of documents by author: When students group the documents by type of author, they are showing awareness that certain types of authors, simply by the nature of their authorship, will express similar views or consider events in a similar light. In the 2000 DBQ, there were three such groups of authors: government officials, clergy, and writers.

7. Indicating Bias in a DBQ Let’s Review: Indicate Bias by: Author’s Societal Position. Important if you can demonstrate that their views are impacted because of their “position.” Reliability of a source. You indicate how accurate or believable a source is by examining the speakers “societal position.”

8. Indicating Bias in a DBQ Tone of the Author. Are they sarcastic, satirical, accusatory? Adjectives are the key! Grouping by author. If you group by nationality, job title, social position, be sure to indicate how this affects their position. Let’s take a look back to the DBQ on Russian Peasantry, and try out our new found bias tips.

9. Indicating Bias in a DBQ Document #2 – Indicate bias here by using “societal position”, or “reliability of the source”.

10. Reliability of Source “Though we can’t help but be moved by the emotion in the document, one has to question the accuracy of the details give the fact that this is a peasant, appealing to a “superior.”

11. Indicating Bias in a DBQ Document #3 – Indicate bias here by using the “societal position”, or the “tone/intent” of the author.

12. Societal Position “Even though the author is described as a “non-revolutionary Marxist, we must notice the clear bias as non-factual issues like “absence of moral bonds” and a masters right to “interfere.”

13. Indicating Bias in a DBQ Document #4 – Indicate bias by “societal position”, or “tone/intent” of the author.”

14. Tone or intent “As an anarchist, it would make sense to assail as much as possible the existing structure. The author does so expertly with his constant negative portrayal of the “order” now present in Russia.”

15. Indicating Bias in a DBQ Document #6: Demonstrate bias by using either societal position or reliability/accuracy of source.

16. Reliability of a Source “A memoir, by its very nature, is a totally subjective and personal account. This socialist revolutionary emotional account of the peasant and the books, though compelling, screams bias, not fact.”

17. Indicating Bias in a DBQ Document #8: Demonstrate bias by using either “societal position” or “reliability of source”

18. Reliability of Source “A private letter, by its very nature, is meant to be subjective and persuasive. Witte’s intent here is clearly demonstrated, as he speaks of ‘raising the spirit of the peasant.”

19. Indicating Bias in a DBQ