Source Analysis Identifying Bias

• When the language used by the author is extreme or one sided

• Identifying bias can help you draw conclusions about the reliability of a source

• Bias is when the author’s perspective is so strongly for or against something that the information has become unbalanced

• Extreme positive bias can be described as pro or in favor of something

• Extreme negative bias can be described as anti or against something

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• To find bias look for:

  • Extreme positivity when describing people or events the language of the source is too positive and does not provide any negative evidence.

  • Extreme negative when describing people or events the language of the source is too negative and does not provide any positive evidence.

  • Silence, the source intentionally leaves out important information which you are aware of from other sources.

  • Obvious errors the source provides obvious errors that you know to be false based on what you know from other sources.

• How do you prove bias exists?

  • Provide a quote that identifies overly positive or negative​

  • Explain what perspective the author wanted the audience to

          have on the person or event in the source.

• Or if necessary you may want to explain what events motivated

       the author to be so bias.

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When writing a TEAL paragraph or Essay

• Keep in mind a good writer will try as best as they can to give a balance of facts that are pro/anti an issue.  For example,  when writing about advantages and disadvantages you should discuss both before making a decision about whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, or whether the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.

• A good writer will give a balanced view of  before making a decision.