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English
Quarter 3 – Module 1
Examining Biases Made by the Author

AIRs - LM
Department of Education ● Republic of the Philippines
 Target

Hello Grade 8 learners! It`s time again to set on another journey of learning
English 8. Do your best and enjoy each of the activities provided.

Every author holds opinions that affect his or her discussion of an issue,
opinions that you as a reader must try to recognize and understand. An
author can be biased for or against something. An author shows bias by
leaving out information or by altering facts to force the reader to have a certain
opinion about a subject, or to convince the reader to take a certain action.

Critical reading requires that a reader recognizes bias in writing. Without

this recognition, the reader may become the victim of the writer`s propaganda.

This lesson will serve as your guide in examining biases (for and against)
made by the author.

Most Essential Learning Competency

Q3- Examine biases (for and against) made by the author. (EN8RC-
IIIg3.1.12)

As you go through the module, you are expected to:

1. define what is bias.

2. identify statements which are biased.
3. examine biases (for and against) made by the author.

Jumpstart

This activity will enable you to assess your prior knowledge

on examining biases (for and against) made by the author. Read and
analyze each question before writing your answer.

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(Pre-Test/Activity)

A. Directions: Read and analyze each item, then write the letter of your
answer on the space before each number.

_____1. What does it mean to show bias?

A. To be angry C. To favor one side over another
B. To refuse to take a side D. To show knowledge
_____2. It is a statement that reflects an author`s or a writer`s personal point
of view, belief, perspective, feeling and value towards an issue or topic.
A. Opinion B. Fact C. Loaded Words D. Overstatement _____3.
These are emotive language that are used to gain support or sway
opinions or an agenda?
A. Loaded words C. Opinions
B. Generalizations D. Exaggerations
_____4. Which of the following statements is an example of author bias?
A. Philippines is the best place for vacation.
B. Philippines, according to surveys, is one of the most visited
countries in Asia.
C. Filipino hospitality is known all over the world.
D. Philippines has pristine beaches that foreigners can visit.
_____5. “Things go better with Coke”. The statement is _____________.
A. Biased because it highly promotes the product Coke.
B. Unbiased because it is true.
C. Biased but it is against the product Coke.
D. Unbiased because it is the result of a study.

B. Directions: Read each scenario, then write BIASED if the situation shows
bias, UNBIASED if it is not.

_______1. Sarah has never worn a piece of clothing made out of wool. She has
never touched wool, as she has always refused. She says wool is scratchy,
itchy, and too warm.

_______2. David is a Filipino food vlogger. He always displays Filipino cuisines

in his vlog and tells his viewers that Filipino foods are the best compared to
other Asian cuisines.
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_______3. Maria is an avid fan of GMA teleseryes. She doesn`t want any other
teleseryes in other TV networks because for her, GMA is the best.

_______4. According to ourworldindata.org, Facebook is the largest social

media platform in the world having 2.4 billion users.

_______5. Google has the largest index of websites in the world according to
textmetrics.com.

Discover

All human beings are biased. We all have opinions for or against certain
people, objects, or ideas.

Bias is an undue favor, support or backing extended to a person, group

or race or even an argument against another. Biases exist in cultural context
but creep also into various forms of academic life and in literature such as
sexuality, gender, nation, religion, subjects and general life. It is a single-side
or one-side illogical and non-neutral support of a viewpoint or against the
other side. Etymologically, it came from the French word “biais” which means
angle or slant.

A bias author may not pay attention to all the facts or develop a logical
argument to support his or her opinions. Its purpose is to convey a certain
attitude or point of view toward the subject. When we evaluate the writing of
others, we should be careful to look for author bias. Just because an author
may have strong opinions doesn’t mean she or he can`t write in an unbiased
or valid way about a person or idea.

Author bias can be recognized by looking for certain problems with their
statements which include:
a. Using emotional or loaded statements
b. Using overstatements or exaggerations
c. Using opinions rather than facts
d. Using broad, sweeping statements or generalizations
e. Using statistics

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A. Using emotional or loaded statements
“Loaded words” is a persuasive technique that has also been called emotive
language and often used to gain support, sway opinions, degrade others, and
push an agenda.

Example:
BIASED STATEMENT UNBIASED STATEMENT
“This car will be a game-changer for “This car is big enough to fit a family
you and your family; it will bring you of four comfortably”.
all together in ways you never
thought possible.

B. Using overstatements or exaggerations

Exaggeration or overstatement is used to lay emphasis and stress on the
given idea, action, feature, or feeling in a remarkable and heightened manner.

Example:
BIASED STATEMENT UNBIASED STATEMENT
“This car is the best value on the “This car costs 1M, which is in the
market today. You won`t see this average range for this model”.
price anywhere else”.

C. Using opinions rather than facts

An opinion is a statement that reflects an author`s or a writer`s personal
point of view, belief, perspective, feeling and value towards an issue or topic.

Example:
BIASED STATEMENT UNBIASED STATEMENT
“I would say that the brakes on this “Safety testing showed that the
car will last for at least five years”. brakes on this car model can last up
to four years, with proper
maintenance”.

D. Using broad, sweeping statements or generalizations

A generalization is a broad statement or an idea that is applied to a group of
people or things.

Example:
BIASED STATEMENT UNBIASED STATEMENT
“You don`t want to buy those Brand “The performance statistics on our
X cars. All those models are terrible”. cars show that they outperform
other brands in reliability”.
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E. Using statistics
Numbers and statistics are manipulated by the writer to change the way we
think about the topic or issue.

Example:
BIASED STATEMENT UNBIASED STATEMENT
“Over 500 customers preferred this “Based from our sales report, this car
car model”. model was the best pick by our
customers”.

Explore

Here are some enrichment activities for you to work on to master and strengthen the
basic concepts you have learned from this lesson.

Activity 1: BIAS or NOT

Directions: Read and analyze each statement. Write the word ENGLISH if it
is a biased statement and PLUS if it is not.

_____________1. English is the language for business and communication.

_____________2. According to Philstar.com, Philippines was out of the
World`s Top 20 in English Proficiency Index but ranked 2 in
Asia.
_____________3. Among the subjects taught in the Junior High School,
English is the most challenging.
_____________4. English is a lot easier than Mathematics.
_____________5. I hate to read stories written in English.

Activity 2: Identify Biases

Directions: Identify what did the writer/author use to show bias in the
following statements. Write the letter of your answer.

A. Using emotional or loaded statements

B. Using overstatements or exaggerations
C. Using opinions rather than facts
D. Using broad, sweeping statements or
generalizations E. Using statistics

______1. Humans pollute the air. Humans are pretty inhumane.

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______2. Philippines is the best spot for vacation. Along its magnificent
beaches, green mountains, and amazing culture, it will surely get
you going.
______3. I believe that Filipinos are more hospitable than any other race in
the world.
______4. Philippines is beyond compare when it comes to tourist spots.
______5. Over 6 million foreign tourists arrived in the Philippines in 2017.
Activity 3: Examining Biases
Directions: Read and analyze the situations, then answer the question by
writing the letter of your answer.

_____1. “The idea that the death penalty will get rid the country of drugs is
simply wrong. It is an inhumane, ineffective punishment and is never the
solution”
(Champa Patel, Amnesty International`s Director)

What is TRUE about the statement?

A. The author is for death penalty.
B. The author condemns death penalty.
C. The statement is neutral about death penalty.
D. Death penalty is the solution to all problems in the country. _____2. Which
of the following statements is a biased statement? A. Mr. Dela Cruz has
taught at the school for 20 years.
B. Mr. Dela Cruz is the best teacher in the entire school.
C. Mr. Dela Cruz had 40 students in his class last year.
D. The principal praised Mr. Dela Cruz for being One of the Most
Outstanding Teachers.

_____3. I think the iPhone is the best consumer product ever. That`s what I feel
about it. You wouldn`t think about leaving home without it. (Tim Cook) Which of
the following options is the author biased about?
A. consumer B. iPhone C. home D. product
_____4. The Philippines is where Asia wears a smile. Beautiful products can
only be made by happy people. (Imelda Marcos)
Which of the following sentences best described the statement?
A. The statement is true.
B. The statement is exaggerated.
C. The statement makes use of statistics.
D. The statement makes use of a generalization.
_____5. Filipinos are not reading people, and despite the compulsory course on
the life and works of Jose Rizal today, it is accepted that the Noli and El Fili are
highly regarded but seldom read. (Ambeth Ocampo, Rizal Without the Overcoat) Which
of the following statements is TRUE about the statement?
A. The statement is biased against the Filipinos.
B. The statement is biased for the Filipinos.
C. The statement is unbiased.
D. The statement is true.
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 Deepen

Activity 1: WHAT MAKES IT BIASED?

Directions: Study the following statements. Write whether the statement is BIASED
or UNBIASED then explain why it is or not in 2-3 sentences.

1. ABS-CBN has a rooster of talents, without a doubt marketable both in

local and international streams. It has established its regional platforms and
never swanks about its accomplishments. It is the country`s most trusted and
most reliable media partner, from sports to beauty pageants, concerts, and
events. ABS-CBN can deliver optimum results both in great exposure and
excellent sales. It is the most awarded television station both in the local and
international markets unlike others in which awards are counted by fingers.
Biased or Unbiased? _________________________
Explanation
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. Social media is relatively a new technology. There`s little research that

establishes its long-term consequences, good or bad. However, multiple
studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased
risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal
thoughts.
Biased or Unbiased? ________________________
Explanation
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Gauge

Activity 1: FOR or AGAINST

Directions: Read and analyze the biased statements then write whether the writer
or author is FOR or AGAINST the issue or topic.
____________________1. Africans are dangerous because they are blacks.
____________________2. South Africa is the greatest country in the world.
____________________3. Black people are naturally good athletes.
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____________________4. Classical African music is too complex and boring.
____________________5. African literature is more interesting than any other
literature in the world.
____________________6. Africa changes you forever, like nowhere on Earth. Once you
have been there, you will never be the same. (Brian
Jackman)
____________________7. Africa is our center of gravity, our cultural and spiritual
mother and father, our beating heart, no matter where we
live on the face of this Earth. (John Clarke)
____________________8. Filipinos are strong people and can do anything that they
put their minds into. (Manny Pacquiao).
____________________9. Filipinos are the best entertainers because they are known
for their sincere hospitality.
____________________10. I hate traditional Filipino folk dances. They seemed to be
dull and uninteresting.

Activity 2: DON`T BE BIASED!

Directions: Study the following situations. Identify what the writer or author is
biased about in the statements. Write the letter of your answer.

______1. iPhone is very beautiful and sleek but prices for apple products are way too
high. When it comes to storage, iPhones do not come with an SD card slot so the idea
of upgrading your storage after buying your phone is not an option.
A. card slots B. iPhone C. apple products D. storage
______2. Death penalty in the Philippines is unnecessary because crime rates have
fallen even without it. Studies abroad could also not find strong evidence that death
penalty deters crime.
A. Philippines B. Crimes C. Death Penalty D, Evidences

______3. PLDT Home Fibr is the most powerful broadband suited for households with
its superior network Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) technology that allows families to
experience equal upload and download speed up to 1Gbps.
A. Uploading B. Downloading C.PLDT Home Fibr D. Broadband

______4. Online education allows learners to attend classes from any location of their
choice. It also allows schools to reach out to a more extensive network of students,
instead of being restricted by geographical boundaries.
A. Online education C. Schools
B. Boundaries D. Comfort

______5. Video games are bad for your health because they`re addictive. Video games
make you prone to violence and aggression, so don`t play them. They are a waste of
time.
A. Violence B. Health C. Addiction D. Video games

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References
A. Books

Bermudez, Virginia F., et.al. 2007. English Expressways II. Quezon

City: SD Publications, Inc.

Gonzales, Carolina T., et.al. 2018.21st Century Learning (Afro-Asian).

Manila:Rex Bookstore, Inc.

B. Online Resources

www.huffpost.com
www.brainyquote.com
www.azquotes.com
www.quora.com
www.slideplayer.com
www.honestproscons.com
www.rappler.com

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