Analyzing Bias and Prejudice

English 9
 Bias
is like wearing tinted
glasses that color how
we see and interpret
the world around us.
 Bias
the tendency to favor
one thing, person, or
idea over another,
without considering
the evidence fairly.
 Prejudice
someone’s
intolerant and
unreasonable
point of view, or
opinion.
 Prejudice
unfair and negative
opinion about a group
of people, often based
on stereotypes
 Why analyze bias and prejudice?
Helps us to recognize
when the author presents
information as “facts”
that may be trying to
manipulate or persuade
us to their point of view.
How to analyze them?
Why do we need to
analyze them?
 How to analyze them?
Look for language
that shows bias or
prejudice - this will
lead you to the
author’s arguments.
 Generalization/s
Unfairly judges or
makes assumptions
about individuals based
on characteristics they
believe are common to
a particular group.
 Emotive language
Words/phrases that are
used to stir up emotions
in people.
Example:
"It's hot outside.” turned
into "It's scorching!"
 Hyperbole
Exaggerating something
to make a point.

Example:
"I'm so hungry I could eat a
horse!”
 Religious or gender bias
Judging people not
based on their
individual abilities or
character, but solely on
their gender or
religious beliefs.
 Disrespectful comments
These are the negative
remarks such as
insults, mocking
someone, or belittling
their ideas or
achievements.
Let’s reflect...
Why do we need to
analyze them?
 Ask yourself:
What is the
author trying to
say?
 Ask yourself:
Is this idea
relevant to the
topic?
 Ask yourself:
Is the author’s
reasoning
sound?
Let’s apply...
Why do we need to
analyze them?
Analyzing bias and prejudice
Topic
What something
is about or the
main subject it
focuses on.
Topic
Language
The words or
phrases used to
indicate
biases/predjudices
Language
Argument/s
Set of statements to
support or justify a
claim/viewpoint
(includes
bias/predjudice)
Argument/s
Relevance of idea/s
Refers to how
closely it relates to
or fits with a
particular situation,
problem, or context.
Relevance of idea/s
Soundness of reasoning
Refers to the
validity and
truthfulness of an
argument.
Soundness of reasoning
Overall output
Any questions?