1. First Impressions Aren’t Everything

2. Bias Bias can be defined as a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation Why is understanding Bias important?

3. Types of Bias in the Media Every news story is influenced by the attitudes and background of its interviewers, writers, photographers, and editors Examples?

4. Types of Bias in the Media Selection and omission Placement Headline Photos, captions, and camera angles Use of names and titles Statistics and crowd counts Source control Word choice and tone

5. How to Detect Bias in the Media Who are the sources? Is there a lack of diversity? From whose point of view is the news reported? Are there double standards? Do stereotypes skew coverage? What are the unchallenged assumptions?

6. How to Detect Bias in the Media Is the language loaded? Is there a lack of context? Do the headlines and stories match? Are the stories on important issues featured prominently?

7. Think Critically About What You Read You should all be critical thinkers by the end of this course Learning to think critically will benefit you outside of the classroom

8. Steps of Thinking Critically Purpose for thinking: goal objective Question at issue: the problem Concepts: theories, definitions, laws, principles Assumptions: presuppositions, taken for granted Information: data, facts, observations, experiences

9. Steps of Thinking Critically Interpretations and Inferences: conclusions, solutions Points of View: frame of reference, perspective, orientation Consequences and Implications

10. Questions to Ask or Ask Yourself What do you mean by ______? How did you come to that conclusion? Why do you believe you are right? What is the source of your information? What assumption has led you to that conclusion? What happens if you are wrong?

11. Questions to Ask or Ask Yourself Can you name 2 sources that disagree with you and explain why? Why is this significant? How do I know you are telling me the truth? What is an alternate explanation?

12. Taking Good Notes Listen for main points and write those down Don’t copy slides word for word Find what works for you and use it Paraphrase: put things into your own words so you can understand them later Keep your notes organized Chronological order helps Outline form