BIAS

• Stereotypes


  If the author labels an entire group, the writing is probably biased
• Loaded words


  Words that are charged with emotion (whether positive or negative) can reveal an author's opinion about his/her topic
• Vague language or generalizations


  If the author isn't using specific language, this could be an indicator of bias
• Blas in writing

  • A prejudice against something an author is writing about
  • Favoritism for something an author is writing about
  • An author letting feelings or emotions cloud his/her objectivity with regard to something he/she is writing about
• One-sided arguments


  If the author only presents one side of an argument, his/her writing is probably biased
• The writer fails to mention that ingesting too much vitamin A can make people sick
• When researching, it is crucial that you identify the level of bias in potential sources
• Bias rating

  • Almost totally unbiased; highly objective, accurate
  • Mostly unbiased; fairly reliable
  • Somewhat biased: accuracy is questionable
  • Fairly biased; distorted; probably unreliable
  • Totally biased; highly subjective; inaccurate
• Bias


  A subjective way of thinking that tells only one side of a story, sometimes leading to inaccurate information or a false impression
• Possible sources of bias


  • The speaker/writer is relying on incomplete information
  • The speaker/writer is trying to deceive the listener/reader
  • The speaker /writer wants to believe what he or she is saying
  • The speaker's/writer's past experience is influencing his or her thinking
  • The speaker/writer is trying to persuade the listener/reader