1. Understanding & Identifying Bias

2. Definition of Bias
Bias: (noun) a prejudice or strong opinion about something [slanted view]
To be biased: influencing others with your opinions
Can be intentional (on purpose) or unintentional (not on purpose, not aware of)
Everyone is biased at some time

3. Neutral
to be impartial and not express one’s opinions

4. In what type of writing would an author intentionally be biased?
to purposefully influence or express one’s opinions
omit facts or important information
manipulate
use past experiences
Propaganda
In what type of writing would an author intentionally be biased?

5. Unintentional
unaware of own feelings and that he or she is influencing others
might not have all the facts, ignorance

6. Look for bias in… political ads persuasive essays media/advertisements
editorials/reviews
anecdotes
novels (author bias)
science
religion
politics
debates & arguments

8. Identify Bias analyze the argument (What is the author’s main point?)
look for:
Loaded words, Connotation, Word choice
1st person pronouns (I, Me, My, We, Us, Our)
Opinions (The awesome Falcons won last night)
Faulty reasoning or holes in the argument (Are there unanswered questions or missing information?)

9. Biased language
Loaded Language- words or phrases that are intended to inspire emotion in the listener or reader
Ex: divorce, healthy, safe, peaceful, racist, murder, steal, refreshing, death, glittering, clean, dirty, new, forced
Senate kills new bill. A refreshing change in government. Congress forces health bill.

10. Biased language
Denotation is the dictionary definition of a word. LINK
Connotation is the implied meaning of a word. Words can have a positive, neutral, or negative connotation
EX: clever and sly have the same denotation. However, which has a negative connotation?

11. Positive, negative or neutral connotation
Positive, negative or neutral connotation? Put the words in each group in order from the positive to negative
1.) Childlike, Youthful, Childish, Young,
2.) Relaxed, Lazy, Lackadaisical, Easy-going
3.) Slim, Skinny, Scrawny, Thin
4.) Cheap, Frugal, Miserly, Economical
5.) Young, Immature, Juvenile, Youthful
6.) Inquisitive, Interested, Curious, Convivial
7.) Confident, Secure, Proud, Egotistical
8.) Talkative, Conversational, Chatty, Nosy
Come up with your own pair or group of words that have a similar meaning but different connotation

12. Car name (Connotation)
Features of the car do NOT MATCH the car’s name- (Denotation- the definition does not match the “feeling” of the car’s name)
Draw a picture if you have time

13. Identify Bias
Compare the bias to your own opinions: How are they similar and different?
If you are still unsure, you need to do further research and investigation before making an informed decision

14. Identify Bias Examples
In each of the following examples identify:
Is the piece neutral, intentionally biased, or unintentionally biased?
How do you know? What clues are provided?
What is your own opinion?

15. Identify Bias Examples
Identify * Clues * Your opinion
Example 1:
“I have never wanted to be a part of the cheerleading squad. Those girls wear ridiculously short skirts and all they do is yell and scream out chants all the time.”

16. Identify Bias Examples
Identify * Clues * Your opinion
Example 2:
“Dolphins are fish that are quite friendly. Not all fish are as smart or gentle with humans.”

17. Identify Bias Examples
Identify * Clues * Your opinion
Example 3:
“Recently, scientists split the African elephants into two species: forest elephants and savannah elephants. Scientists argued for many years that these two separate species exist and now they have genetic proof from a comparison of their mitochondrial DNA.”

18. Group Discussion & Presentation
Your group will choose a topic from the list.
Each member in the group must write one paragraph about the assigned topics. Decide which member will write from an intentional bias, unintentional bias, or neutral point of view (Groups with 4 or more members will choose which role to repeat). When everyone is finished, share within the group. Discuss your own personal feelings about the topics. Be ready with one example to share with the class.
**When writing, be sure to provide clues about your assigned role.

19. Group Topics white milk vs. chocolate milk Underage smoking
McDonald’s vs. Burger King French fries
vegetarian vs. omnivore
Pepsi vs. Coke
sneakers vs. flip-flops
rap vs. country music
summer vs. winter
piercings vs. tattoos
Underage smoking
Texting in class
Chewing gum in school
Underage drinking
Music with strong language
Littering at lunch
Using sun block
Censoring music and books