LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET IN ENGLISH 8 Worksheet No. 1 Quarter 3 Learner’s Name : _____________________________________________ Grade Level/Section : _____________________________________________ Date I. : _____________________________________________ LEARNING SKILLS A. Most Essential Learning Competency: Examine biases (for or against) made by the author B. Objectives: 1. Identify whether a statement is biased or not biased 2. Analyze the author’s tone and use of evidence to determine biases II. INTRODUCTORY CONCEPT When you read a text, you sometimes come across a writer’s statements which need to be supported by data or evidence. At times, you also come across people who stick to their views based on their knowledge and judgment, no matter how distorted these views are. Your ability to examine and detect biased ideas or views and opinions of other people is another skill that you have to develop. What is Bias? Bias in writing can be defined as: 1. A prejudice against something an author is writing about. 2. Favoritism for something an author is writing about. 3. An author letting feelings or emotions cloud his/her objectivity about something he/she is writing about. How to determine an author’s bias: The author may state directly some of his/her biases by telling the reader his/her opinions on certain topics or admitting that s/he has a conflict of interest or preference. But when an author does not acknowledge his/her own bias, a skilled reader can infer what an author’s bias may be by looking at the author’s diction and use of evidence. When looking at the author’s use of evidence, ask yourself: • Does the author present more positive evidence for one side of an issue than the other? • Does the author present more negative evidence for one side of an issue than the other? These are both clues that the author may be biased for or against a particular side. 1 When looking at the author’s diction, ask yourself: • Does the author use words with more negative connotations when referring to one side of an issue or particular people? • Does the author use words with more positive connotations when referring to one side of an issue or particular people? These connotations are another clue to what or whom the author may be biased for or against. Recognizing Bias 1. Look for loaded words ✓ Words that are charged with emotion (whether positive or negative) can reveal an author’s opinion about his/her topic. 2. Watch out for stereotypes ✓ If the author labels an entire group, the writing is probably biased. 3. Notice vague language or generalizations ✓ If the author isn’t using specific language, this could be an indicator of bias. 4. Be on the lookout for one-sided arguments ✓ If the author only presents one side of an argument, his/her writing is probably biased. 5. Does the author present facts or opinions? ✓ Facts are what they are – the truth. But opinions can be based on feelings, emotions, or prejudices, which aren’t objective. III. ACTIVITIES A. Practice Tasks Practice Task 1 Directions: Identify whether the following statements suggest bias or not. Write BIASED if the statement suggests bias and NOT BIASED if it does not suggest any bias. Write your answer on the blank provided before the number. ________________ 1. Malay culture perceives courtesy and respect as principal moral values that should take precedence over others. ________________ 2. The Chinese-Malaysian population generally exhibits great diligence and resilience. ________________ 3. Individuals in Malaysia usually act deliberately and with restraint to protect their self-worth and peer perception. ________________ 4. In Malaysia, elders are considered to have great wisdom and be very deserving of authority. ________________ 5. Malaysia is on a threatening downward spiral fueled by religious bigotry. 2 Practice Task 2 Directions: Read each passage carefully then answer the questions that follow. Traditional Malaysian cuisine, although tasty is quite unhealthy. Fortunately, the younger set now seems to be refocusing on Japanese, Korean, and Chinese food that are much healthier. However, there is still an over-abundance of fast-food restaurants that get the youngsters into unhealthy eating habits. 1. What did the author show bias against? a. Korean and Chinese cuisine b. Traditional Malaysian cuisine c. Fast food restaurants Malaysia is on a menacing downward spiral fuelled by religious bigotry. We are a growing polarised nation at war with ourselves. The recent years have been marred by reports that show us just how badly divided we are becoming. Some of us feel as though the damage is already done and our society has reached the peak of desolation where most of us are left feeling despondent about our nation’s future. Source: https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/ 2. Which statement signaled the author’s bias? a. However, there is still an over-abundance of fast-food restaurants that get the youngsters into unhealthy eating habits. b. Fortunately, the younger set now seems to be refocusing on Japanese, Korean, and Chinese food that are much healthier. c. Traditional Malaysian cuisine, although tasty is quite unhealthy. 3. What did the author show bias against? a. Religious bigotry in Malaysia b. Malaysian society c. Malaysia’s future 4. Do the author’s arguments contain any fact? Explain. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 5. Is the tone of the text positive or negative? Why do you say so? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 3 Practice Task 3 Directions: Read the paragraph and try to determine whether there is bias by answering the questions given below. Parents always talk about how if schools had uniforms, everything would be so much easier. You wouldn’t get caught up on looks and would learn the skills you need. I disagree with this. I that school uniforms would put a restriction on our creativity. We dress the way we do for a certain reason. Clothes give us expression and the ability to use color and patterns. The first impression we get of people is usually clothes, facial expression and language. If we all wear the same thing, we don’t get to really see what people are like on the inside. Usually girly girls wear pink and frilly things. Skaters wear baggy pants and Goths usually wear black. Clothes don’t distract us from learning the studies we need to. It simply lets us inspire our imaginations and lights up our worlds. --- Anonymous writer on TeenInk.com Source: https://www.skillsworkshop.org/ 1. Do you think the writer uses bias to persuade, or is it unintentional? ______________________________________________________________ 2. Does the writer recognize a viewpoint that opposes his or her own? If so, what is it? ______________________________________________________________ 3. How biased is the article? Can the writer be trusted, or is the bias too strong for a clear understanding of the topic? Explain. ______________________________________________________________ B. Assessment Directions: Read and answer each item carefully. Encircle the letter of the correct answer. 1. Which of the following situations shows that the writer has a bias? a. The writer provides an impartial view of a particular issue. b. The writer does not generalize about a certain group based on his/her opinions. c. The writer presents more positive evidence of an issue he/she favors. d. The writer shows no favoritism or prejudice about an issue he/she is writing about. 2. Which is the best example of prejudice or bias? a. The owner of a company evaluates all potential employees exclusively by their professional qualifications. b. The exaggerated and oversimplified belief that some lawyers are dishonest. c. A man from Asia does not like Americans because he thinks they all drink irresponsibly. d. A woman believes it will rain because she sees many grey clouds in the sky. 4 Citizens of the Fairlawn Park area look with alarm at the diabolical plot to change a beautiful spot into a baseball park. If this malicious plan is carried out, the lovely trees in the park will be chopped down. Values of the property within the area will drop sharply as the park fills with the filth and debris of the bulldozers and other equipment. Later the shrieks of the young ruffians who take over the park will destroy the peace and quiet of the neighborhood. Obviously, no one cares about the poor citizen who has slaved to pay for his home and to keep up with his taxes. Source: https://www.mdc.edu/ 3. In this passage, what does the author show bias against? a. homeowners and taxpayers b. citizens of the Fairlawn Park area c. a baseball field in the park d. more trees in the park Everyone who cooks should own a food processor. This marvelous invention is now being used by over 12 million vegetarians, compared with only half that number a couple of years ago. Vegetarians rarely have a weight problem since most vegetables are low in calories and contain little or no fat. They do not suffer a buildup of cholesterol in the bloodstream as they grow older. Some doctors have suggested a link between vegetarianism and longevity. As Americans become more health-conscious, vegetarianism will certainly become more popular. Source: https://www.mdc.edu/ 4. What does the author show bias for? a. eating more vegetables b. avoiding cholesterol c. eating “health foods” d. becoming a vegetarian An independent insurance agent works directly for you, not for a large, anonymous organization. The agent must provide you with the best policy at the lowest price if he is to remain in business. The agent’s job is to help you find a policy that suits your needs. This may cover your life, health, home, or automobile. Independent insurance agents are free to recommend the best policy, regardless of which insurance company provides it. Source: https://www.mdc.edu/ 5. Which of the following does the author favor? a. using an independent insurance agent b. selecting an insurance policy on your own c. avoiding low-cost insurance policies d. buying insurance from a well-known company 5 IV. RUBRIC FOR SCORING Please refer to the rubric below for Questions 4 and 5 in Practice Task 2 and the questions in Practice Task 3. Criteria Main idea or Opinion Evidence Explanation 3 Response rephrases the question while declaring the writer’s main idea or opinion Two or more relevant supporting details Complete explanation 2 1 Response declares writer’s main idea or opinion Writer’s main idea or opinion is not clear One relevant supporting details Minimal explanation Minimal or irrelevant evidence No explanation V. REFERENCES • • English Expressways IV, pages 197-198 Quarter 3, Week 8, Day 1, pp. 388 – 389 Other Internet Sources: Bias-Practice Exercises. • https://www.mdc.edu/kendall/collegeprep/documents2/BIASrev819.pdf Functional Skills English: Identifying Bias • https://www.skillsworkshop.org/sites/skillsworkshop.org/files/resources/l2englishidentifyingbias.pdf Malaysian Culture • https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/malaysian-culture/malaysian-culture-core-concepts#malaysian-culturecore-concepts Reasearching Skills: Identifying Bias • https://www.gpisd.org/cms/lib01/TX01001872/Centricity/Domain/2148/Week%209.pdf Recognizing Biases, Assumptions & Stereotypes in Written Works • https://study.com/academy/practice/quiz-worksheet-identifying-biases-assumptions-stereotypes-intexts.html Syerleena Abdul Rashid. A nation full of insecurities and hypocrisy • https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/16538 Prepared by: CHENNIE ANN O. OGALESCO, T-II Gigmoto Rural Development High School/Catanduanes Quality Assured by: GINA B. PANTINO, Ed.D. Education Program Supervisor, English SONIA V. PRENSADER Secondary School Principal II LYRA B. BEDIS, T-I Vinisitahan National High School, Albay Division ROSE ANN D. REONAL, T-III Oas Polytechnic School, Albay Division MA. MONICA N. VILLAREAL, T-I Polangui General Comprehensive High School, Albay Division 6
