Bias, Persuasion, and Propaganda
From:
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/bsndev-415604-recognizing-bias-propaganda-education-ppt-powerpoint/
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/MasterFoust-400700-recognizing-bias-education-ppt-powerpoint/
What is Bias?
• Bias: (noun) a particular tendency or inclination,
especially one that prevents unprejudiced
consideration of a question; prejudice
How do you recognize bias?
• Look for
▫ Opinions
▫ Loaded Words
▫ Faulty Reasoning
Opinions
• Everyone has an opinion.
• Look for evidence that supports a point of view
or an agenda.
▫ Agenda: hidden motive, secret plan, secret
intention, hidden ploy, ulterior motive.
▫ What is the author’s opinion? It is likely that he or
she is trying to make YOU agree with him or her
by persuading you.
Loaded Words
• Denotation
▫ The dictionary
definition of the word.
• Connotation
▫ The emotions and
images associated with
a word
• Skilled authors and
speakers will always
choose their words
for the greatest
emotional impact and
clearest possible
meaning.
Word Choice (Diction) Matters
Thin
Emaciated
Two words can have
the same denotative
meaning, but call up
very different images
Word Choice Indicates Bias
Freedom Fighter
Terrorist
Word Choice Indicates Bias
Terrorist?
Freedom Fighter?
Faulty Reasoning
• Indicate that something just isn’t right
Begging the Question
• This is a fallacy in which the author states that
something is true as a proof of itself.
• X is true because X is true
▫ George W. Bush was the worst president because
there was no president who was worse than him.
Propaganda and Persuasive Techniques
• People use propaganda to make what they say or
write more convincing.
• Propaganda appeals to emotion.
• Propaganda is not always logical.
Propaganda and Persuasive Techniques
• Bandwagon:
Everyone else is doing
it, so I should too.
• Testimonial: A
famous person is used
to try and influence you
to do or buy something.
Questions to Ask Yourself…
• Purpose
▫ Why is the author writing? What do they want me to
believe? Who is the author’s intended audience?
• Tone and Style
▫ How do they convey their message differently than
some other author might?
• Bias
▫ What preferences or prejudices does this author have?
• Propaganda and Persuasive Techniques
▫ Is the author trying to persuade you by using some
of the techniques we’ve reviewed?