Bias, Assumption and Viewpoint

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Bias, Assumption and Viewpoint
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Bias

• A bias is a strong leaning in either
• a positive or negative direction.
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• A bias is very similar to a prejudice

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Bias

• Good critical readers must be aware of their own
  biases and the biases of others.
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• Sometimes writers simply state their biases
  however, most biases are implied by the writer.

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Reading Critically

• A critical reader will study the authors line of
  reasoning, notice whether opinions are supported
  by facts and reasons, and then decide if the
  authors bias has hindered the making of a good
  argument.

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When reading

• Their biases will influence the way they present
  the material.
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• Such caution is especially important
• when the material deals with a controversial
  issue.

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Loaded Words

• Pay attention to the authors tone and choice of
  words to determine if a bias is present.
• Loaded Words
• connotations evoke emotional responses
• Writers who have a particular point of view
• and want to persuade you to accept that view
  often make use of loaded words or phrases.

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Assumption

• A fact of statement taken for granted
• Any examples?

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Viewpoint

• Imagine the author sitting in front of a blank
  computer screen. The authors viewpoint is the
  very reason the author types anything at all on
  his/her computer!

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Viewpoint

• So how do we know what the authors viewpoint is,
  anyway
• (and why should we care?)
• Think about the details the author includes to
  make a point about a subject.
• If we figure out the authors views, we can
  understand what he/she wrote!

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Authors Viewpoint Includes

• His/her attitude -- what she thinks, feels, and
  believes.
• His/her purpose for writing -- why she writes the
  story

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Language Used

• The words the author uses gives us clues about
  how the author feels about lifes issues!
• For example, if the author was describing America
  using words like honor, cherish, treasure, and
  proudwe can infer (infer means piece the clues
  together) that the authors viewpoint about
  America is

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America is

• A good place to live and a great nation to be a
  part of!

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Language Used

• If an author used the following words to describe
  the beach cold, bitter wind, nauseating smell of
  fish, shrieking seagullswe can infer (piece the
  clues together, remember?) that the authors view
  about life at the beach is

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The beach is

• An awful, cruddy way to spend vacation!

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Review

• Bias a strong leaning in either
• a positive or negative direction
• Assumption a fact or statement taken for granted
• Viewpoint the purpose the writer has and the
  details and attitudes which he/she includes