Understanding Bias

When you have established the argument of a persuasive essay, you can examine the worth of the claim by considering a writer’s motivation and personal bias before making decisions about the issue. A successful essay is objective. It aims to present factual information and consider various points of view in unemotional and unattached ways. This is where a solid argument (as discussed on the first page of this lesson) will help strengthen a persuasive piece of text.

Bias occurs when a text is presented from a personal or subjective viewpoint that reveals the opinion of the author. This opinion becomes apparent through the author's interpretation of information and word choices. A biased essay may misrepresent the subject. Objective texts strive to be unbiased; subjective texts are biased.

Interpretation of Information: Types of Bias


Bias by Omission


Bias by Omission occurs when important information is left out.


Example: A specific news story discusses only the harmful effects of vaccines instead of presenting both the positive and negative effects.

Bias by Selection


Bias by Selection occurs when more sources included in a story support one viewpoint over another. Instead of omitting an unpopular or unfavourable story, the story is surrounded by stories of an opposing view to make the unfavourable story seem even less preferred.


Example: A certain news story has one positive story about a pipeline flanked by five information sources against building a pipeline.

Bias by Placement


Bias by Placement involves when or where the story appears. For instance, a significant story may be deemed unpopular or unimportant and placed at the back of a paper rather than on the front-page.


Example: A spectacular crime or festival news is placed on the front page while a political crisis or significant change to the economy appears later in the newspaper.

Bias by Labeling

Bias by Labeling  comes in two forms.  The first is the tagging of conservative politicians and groups with extreme labels while leaving liberal politicians and groups unlabeled or with more mild labels, or vice versa.  The second kind of bias by labeling occurs when a reporter not only fails to identify a liberal as a liberal or a conservative as a conservative, but describes the person or group with positive labels, such as “an expert” or “independent consumer group.”  In so doing, the reporter imparts an air of authority that the source does not deserve. When looking for bias by labeling, remember that not all labeling is biased or wrong. 
(excerpted from www.studentnewsdaily.com)        


Example: 
Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

Bias by Spin


Bias by Spin is an attempt to persuade the public to accept a certain interpretation of an event, policy or a public figure. Spin can be created by releasing a story during a time when the public is distracted by other news.


Example: Any agency, politician, or corporation that wants to promote an idea favourable to them or damaging to a "competitor" might use spin.