bias a perspective or point of view what is bias? the point of view from which a text is presented....
TRANSCRIPT
BiasA Perspective or
Point of View
What is Bias?
•The point of view from which a text is presented.
• Perspective vs Point of View vs Bias vs Slant
Positive / neutral connotation
Negative connotation
Why Does Bias Matter?
• Every text has a bias!
• Determine the bias to determine the message.
• Believability
• Reliability
• Credibility
How does the bias of a text influence your
understanding of it?
Your World is Complex
• Back in my day…• Researching was simple
• Books, encyclopedias, magazines
• Now…• Instant access to millions of pieces of
information• Much more for you to sift through• So many news outlets so you can find
“versions” that fit your political perspective!
Every Text Has a Bias!
• Nothing can be completely neutral
• Every text is created by a real human being.
• Humans place their beliefs into their work.
Rhetorical Triangle Speaker/writer
SubjectAudience
Clear communication achieved.
Rhetorical Triangle Speaker/writer - Ethos
Subject - Logos
Audience - Pathos
Clear communication achieved.
Rhetorical Triangle Speaker/writer - Ethos
Subject - LogosAudience - Pathos
Clear communication achieved.
Purpose Tone
Medium
Your Job as Reader
1) Put aside YOUR bias.• This is REALLY hard!
2) Read for the text’s bias• Structural and word choice clues• What do they say? Not say?• HOW do they say it?
3) Determine HOW they expressed their bias.
• Read and view CRITICALLY (meaning SPECIFICALLY)
4) Propose WHY they created what they created.
• What was the author’s purpose with this text?
Practice!
• Take an issue in history:
The Presidency of George W. Bush
• This happened.
• From 2000 – 2008 he was the US President.
• He was president during the 9/11 attacks.
• During his tenure, the US invaded Iraq and Afghanistan.
POLITICAL SPECTRUM
LEFT WING RIGHT WING
LIBERAL CONSERVATIVE
MODERATERADICAL
REVOLUTIONARY
RADICAL
REACTIONARY
Why?
• What if we want a story with NO BIAS?
• Is that possible?
• Why would we read EITHER book?
Pairs of Documentaries
• War in Iraq
Climate Change
Education
Gun Control
American History?
Special Interest Groups
The Media
• We mean…NEWS
• Television• Radio• Newspapers• Magazines• Internet versions
Spectrum of Media
On-Line Media Sources
News Reporting vs News Opinion
Bias is Not Inherently BAD!!
• It is too simplistic to simply say about a text “that is biased” and then NOT pay attention to it.
• A strong reader will do the following:
Good readers…..
1) Put aside their bias.
2) Read for the text’s bias.• Look for facts• Look for opinions• Look at word choice• Look at ISN’T in the text (ummmm…weird?)
Good readers…
3) Determine how the authors expressed his or her bias.
4) Propose WHY they used THAT bias on THAT piece for THAT purpose.
HOW?
• Listen to word choice
• Listen to “music”
• Look at “colors”
• Think about what you already know about people’s opinions on the issues!
Suggestions
• Find “least biased” sources.
• Find “news reporting” versus “news opinion” sources
• Read and think for selves.• Primary sources vs secondary sources
• Sift through bias like we have mentioned before!
Suggestions
• Get your information from a MENU of sources.
• Beware of the “outliers”• ONE scientist said this…• ONE study said this…
• Check who is funding, writing, supporting the studies, texts, or speakers.
BiasA Perspective or
Point of View