Identifying bias | Year 7 English (Cambridge) PDF Download

What is Bias?

• Bias is the opposite of being fair. It is a subjective way of thinking that tells only one side of a story, sometimes leading to inaccurate information or a false impression.
• Example of Bias: Imagine a teacher allows everyone to retake an exam because they failed the first time, except for you. This is an example of being biased or unfair.

Identifying Bias

• To identify bias, we must check if both positive and negative points are presented equally.
• Example Analysis: Consider the following paragraph about vitamin A:
  “Vitamin A is an important nutrient. It is used to make rhodopsin, a pigment in our eyes, thus necessary for healthy vision. People can develop night blindness if they do not get enough of it. Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A and should be a part of your daily diet.”

Why is this biased?

• Commercial Interest: What if the author grows carrots commercially? This could influence the positive portrayal of carrots.
• One-sided Information: The paragraph only mentions the benefits of carrots and does not mention potential side effects of consuming too much vitamin A or other sources of vitamin A like eggs and sweet potatoes.

More Examples of Bias

• Sandwiches are horrible.
  • This is a biased statement made by someone who dislikes certain ingredients in sandwiches. Personal opinions often lead to bias.
• Women are inferior.
  • This is a totally biased statement since men and women have the same rights nowadays.

Biased Paragraph

"Returning wolves to their native habitats is critically important. The wolf is an original top predator in North America. If ecosystems are out of balance, they may collapse, leading to the extinction of millions of organisms, including humans. We must ensure that there are wolves in all of North America’s remaining natural areas."

Why is this biased?

• Only Positive Points: The author only discusses the benefits of having wolves but does not consider the negative effects, such as potential dangers to humans.
• Lack of Balance: There is no mention of the negative impact or the risks involved in increasing the wolf population.

Recognizing Bias

To avoid bias, it is crucial to present both sides of the story:

• Positive Points: Highlight the benefits or advantages.
• Negative Points: Include the potential drawbacks or risks.

Key Points to Remember

• Check the Source: Consider who wrote the information and their possible motivations.
• Balance: Look for a balance between positive and negative points.
• Critical Thinking: Question if the author has considered all aspects of the topic.

Conclusion

Understanding and identifying bias is important to ensure we receive accurate and fair information. Always look for balanced viewpoints to avoid being misled by biased information.