1. Truth, Accuracy, and Opinion
What is the truth, and how can we find it?

2. What is a FACT? Discuss and develop a definition

3. What is a fact?
Something that has really occurred and can be verified

4. What is an opinion? Try to come up with a definition

5. What is an opinion?
A judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.

6. Now you try…fact or opinion?
1. The back benches are bad for the school environment.
4. Predator is the best movie villain.
2. Some North American native people think that the wolf is brave, loyal and intelligent.
5. David Suzuki has said that Canadians wanting to do something for the environment can start by drinking tap water instead of bottled water.
3. Kiwis are a health food; they have lots of potassium.
6. Samsung might outsell Apple this year in phone sales.

7. But there’s an even trickier one…
Sometimes facts and opinions are clear, but sometimes they are not
Sometimes opinions are disguised in articles that seem factual
Bias is when something appears factual, but actually influences readers to a particular opinion

8. Examples of Bias Bias by placement
Where a story is placed determines how important readers/viewers think it is
Is the first story always the most important?
Bias byheadline
Headlines can convey excitement, condemnation, etc.
Detroit Lions lost last 2 r 3 games Vs
Detroit still second in division with 6-3 record

9. Bias by Photos
Some pictures flatter a person, and others make the person look unpleasant
Photos influence opinion
One photo shows Kate looking sad, the other shows her happy. Do you think either photo has anything to do with her pregnancy?

10. BIAS THROUGH STATISTICS AND CROWD COUNTS
“Approximately one hundred injured in airplane crash”
Vs.
“Only minor injuries in airplane crash”
Numbers can be inflated or deflated to make an event seem more or less spectacular
Numbers reflect opinions of the person doing the counting
Look for words like “only” “

11. You try… Grab a newspaper
You try… Grab a newspaper. With a partner, find: -one example of a fact -one example of an opinion -one example of bias