What You Need to Know

Key Concept Diagram

Bias can be intentional (propaganda) or unintentional (author perspective)

Biased texts often omit information, use loaded language, or present only one side

Consider the author's purpose, background, and the publication context

A reliable informational text presents multiple perspectives and evidence

Key Vocabulary

Bias

A tendency to favour one viewpoint, often leading to unfair representation

Loaded language

Words with strong emotional connotations used to influence reader response

Omission

Leaving out information, often used to create a one-sided impression

Perspective

A particular point of view shaped by personal experience, values, and context

Knowledge Check

Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.

Question 1

A newspaper article only presents arguments against a new policy and ignores supporting evidence. This demonstrates:

Excellent reporting Balance and fairness Bias through omission Analytical writing

Question 2

Which sentence contains loaded language that reveals a bias?

The government announced a new housing policy. The prime minister stated their position. Researchers published a study on unemployment. The reckless politicians rammed through their destructive scheme.

Question 3

When evaluating whether a source is biased, which question is most useful?

What is the author's purpose and who is their audience? How many pages is it? Is it written in formal language? Does it use headings and subheadings?

Identifying Bias in Texts