Department of Education

English 6
Detecting Bias and Propaganda Devices
Used by Speakers in Texts Read
Second Quarter – Week 5

Patrick John C. Zamora

Writer

Girlie C. Campos
Noemi A. Zarate
Maila C. Lorenzo
Maricel P. Dimaano
Validators
Mrs. Ivy M. Romano
Dr. Ma. Theresa C. Dela Rosa
Dr. Shella C. Navarro
Dr. Ma. Carmen D. Solayao
Quality Assurance Team

Schools Division Office – Muntinlupa City

Student Center for Life Skills Bldg., Centennial Ave., Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa City
(02) 8805-9935 / (02) 8805-9940
 This Supplementary Learning Module ( SLeM ) is written with you in
mind. It is here to help you detect bias and propaganda devices used by
speakers in texts read. Also, this module offers many different learning
situations that may help you deal with facts selectively which is a
characteristic of a smart young Muntinlupeño. The language and vocabulary
used in this module fit to the Grade 6 learners.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Detect bias and propaganda devices used by speakers and/or authors;
2. Tell whether texts read are biased or not; and
3. Participate actively in different dependent practices.

Directions: Tick (/) the box with the statement that shows bias
or propaganda.

1. Retrogade always wins.

2. Things go better with Lemon Life.

3. Soda is a carbonated water.

4. Have a break, have a Fit Stat.

5. Mang Goryo’s, the best chicken ever!

6. Fashion is a free form of expression.

7. The sweet chocolates gazed and smiled.

8. Chicken has become a staple of fast food.

9. Wouldn’t it be nice if the world is Cadbunny?

10. He must have changed clothes during the day.

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Directions: Match the following advertisement lines with its correct
propaganda.
A B

1. Use WOW pencil. It’s everybody’s pencil A. name calling

in school, in the office, everywhere.
2. Smell is POWER. Use Bold Spice, B. glittering generalities
a muscle surprise!
3. Movie actor on Star Cellular. C. card stacking
Everywhere I go, I never worry
with my phone.
4. Tired of your slow internet connection D. testimonial
while paying expensive bill? Get your
ZLDT home wifi now!
5. Try our new Sun Chips. 30% less fat E. bandwagon
with 18 grams of whole grain!

An effective reader should know how to weigh facts and information

without being bias and subjective in favor of someone or something.
Bias means favoring one person or side over another. It is a tendency
or preference toward a perspective generally seen as ‘one-sided’’.

To detect bias and propaganda devices, consider these questions:

1. Who is the author or creator of the information, and what is his or her
background?
2. Does the source contain opinions?
3. Does the source contain only one point of view, or facts from one side of
an argument?
4. Does the author seem to favor, or like, something more than others?
5. Does the author seem to disfavor, or dislike, somethings more than
others?

When reading for bias, it is also important for you to know the
author’s attitude or tone, exaggerated or colorful language, and check
out images.
Once a reader is able to detect bias and recognize propaganda devices
from encountered texts, it becomes easier for him/her to know the objective

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 and purpose of the speaker or the author in writing these texts. How many
propaganda devices do you know? Can you name some?

Study the table below on how to detect bias and propaganda devices in
advertisements.

Advertisement Propaganda Bias/Propaganda Why?

Device Detected
This advertisement
Hi-Phone 5 makes us believe that
bandwagon The statement -
1. ‘‘Loving it is easy many people have been
that’s why so already using the same
cellular phone brand. It
many people do’’.
assumes that everyone
must have this product.
The packaging claims
2. card The word - ‘sugar-free’ sandwich
stacking ‘‘sugar-free’’ cookies yet we all know
that this type of food is
not a reduced calorie
food. It only promotes
positive information
about the product.
The tagline shows
3. glittering The words - attractive words to
generalities ‘‘creamy, dreamy, influence the attitudes
icy, and of the audience. Also, it
gives the readers or
chocolatey.’’
audience good
descriptions without
any information backing
them up.
The phrase from the
4. name The phrase – advertisement carries
calling ‘‘seems more like a negative connotation as
medium bac.’’ it describes its rival
brand. It labels the
HMMM, SEEMS target something that
MORE LIKE A the public dislikes and
MEDIUM BAC then uses sarcasm.

This advertisement
5. plain folks The sentence - convinces its audience
‘‘See how a guy that the endorser of the
and a sandwich product is just a normal
and regular person and
made history’’.
that we must trust
people who are most like
us.

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 When a testimony or
6. testimonial Popular celebrity famous line is from a
or personality popular personality,
there is a bias or a
propaganda because a
person like an endorser
has a big influence to
the consumers or
buyers.
In this advertisement,
7. transfer The line- the audience is meant to
‘‘Joke Time’’ transfer its positive
feelings about Santa
into positive feelings
about consuming a cola,
although the two are in
no way related.

Activity 1: Think About

Directions: Read and analyze the advertisement carefully. Answer
the questions that follow.

FDA approved fixn’fit has been

used by millions of people to lose
weight safely. It is safe because it
works in your digestive tract and
doesn’t affect your head or heart. It is
a pill you take with each meal that
prevents some of the fat you eat from
being absorbed.

But fixn’fit is more than a pill.

It’s a comprehensive weight loss plan
and support system that helps you
learn how to eat healthier for the long
term so you can keep the weight off.
fixn’fit
Guide Questions:

1. What does the advertisement sell or promote?

________________________________________________________________________

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2. What does the speaker tell about the product? Retell in your own words.
________________________________________________________________________
3. What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?
________________________________________________________________________
4. Which statement from the text reveals the author’s bias? Write it down.
________________________________________________________________________
5. Is the message of the advertisement true or not? Why?
________________________________________________________________________

Activity 2: Dive In
Directions: Read and analyze the text below. Answer the questions
that follow.

Vitamin A is an important nutrient. It is used to make

rhodopsin, a pigment in our eyes. Thus, Vitamin A is
necessary for healthy vision. People must get enough of this
vitamin to prevent the development of night blindness.
Carrots are an excellent source of Vitamin A. Carrots
should be a part of your daily diet.

Guide Questions:

1. What is the author’s point of view about Vitamin A?

________________________________________________________________________

2. What do you think is the author’s purpose in writing?

________________________________________________________________________

3. What propaganda did the author use to promote carrots?

________________________________________________________________________

4. Which statement reveals the author’s bias? Write it down.

________________________________________________________________________

5. Do you think that the information given above is true or not? Why?
________________________________________________________________________

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Activity 3: Deepen Up
Directions: Identify statements whether biased or not. Rewrite
them in each column of the table.
1. Cats are not good for anything.
2. Cats and dogs can make good pets.
3. All types of music are considered a form of art.
4. I only listen to rap because it’s the best type of music.
5. Only tall people can play basketball.

Biased Statements Unbiased Statements

Directions: Fill in the blanks with what you have learned.

___________ means favoring one person or side over another. It is a

tendency or preference toward a perspective generally seen as ‘one-sided’’.
Despite the ideal of ‘‘objectivity’’, we should know that every
advertisement whether in the form of text or print is influenced by a
propagandist.
To detect bias and propaganda devices, consider these questions:

1. Who is the ______________ of the information, and what is his or her

background?
2. Does the source contain __________?
3. Does the source contain only one point of view, or facts from one side of
an argument?
4. Does the author seem to favor, or like, something more than others?
5. Does the author seem to disfavor, or dislike, somethings more than
others?

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 When you are reading for bias, it is also important for you to know the
_____________________. You have to discover the author’s position by analyzing
his/her diction carefully to see what meaning he/she is implying or by simply
showing that the writing is biased because of the author’s feelings and/or
beliefs and values toward something.
Another way of reading for bias is to look for exaggerated or colorful
language. To do this, look for words, lines, phrases, or sentences. Consider
whether the language used in the writing are informational or emotional and
that author has presented enough evidence and whether the evidence is
reliable and convincing.
Lastly is to check out _________. Photographs, cartoons, and other
images tell stories just like words. Consider how the pictures make you feel,
especially if you’re suddenly feeling sympathetic toward a particular group of
people or side of an argument.

Directions: Complete the table below. Write the necessary

information needed for each column.
Advertisement Propaganda Bias/Propaganda Why?
Device Detected
1.

2.

3.

4.

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5.

6.

7.

Directions: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which word indicates bias in the statement, ‘‘This is the best tasting coffee’’?
A. This B. best C. tasting D. coffee
2. Which statement contains bias?
A. Shoppers at a supermarket are asked to choose the best dog food.
B. Cats can grow their whiskers back from two to three months.
C. Dogs noses are wet to help absorb scent chemicals.
D. A shopping mall contains variety of retail stores.
3. Which advertisement line contains an author’s bias?
A. Good carbohydrates contain a lot of nutrients, create fuel for our
bodies, and don’t add a lot of sugar into the blood.
B. First, let’s consider the age-old carbohydrate that everyone
loves: oatmeal.
C. Black peas, chickpeas, soybeans, and most beans are other
examples of good carbs.
D. Fruits such as peaches, plums, and cherries are excellent high-fiber
foods.
4. Which group of words shows bias in the statement: ‘‘I trust Defflam, so
you should, too!’’,
A. I trust B. trust defflam C. so you D. should, too
5. Which word shows bias in the advertisement: ‘‘Drink Cow’s Milk. It’s the
old folk’s favorite milk,’’
A. drink B. milk C. old D. favorite
6. A famous actor testifies that the coffee brand he promotes is delicious:
‘‘I swear this is so creamy’’ Which word indicates bias?
A. swear B. this C. so D. creamy

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7. Which phrase reveals bias in the advertisement, ‘‘New Happy Maid
Orange drink. A pulpy deal with no preservatives added!’’
A. New Happy Maid C. a pulpy deal
B. Orange drink D. no preservatives added
8. What makes the advertisement line bias? ‘‘Make your holiday special with
Mommy’s Choice Mayonnaise!’’
A. It says that only mothers can have special holidays.
B. It tells us that holidays can get better by buying the product.
C. It explains that a special holiday is better than a mayonnaise.
D. It gives mothers a choice of working even during a holiday break.
9. Which word indicates bias in the statement, ‘‘Everybody loves roasted
chicken!’’?
A. everybody B. loves C. roasted D. chicken
10. Which word indicates bias in the advertisement, ‘‘Better Juicy, the
cheesiest hotdog!’’
A. Better Juicy B. the C. cheesiest D. hotdog

References:
Angeles, E. et. al. 2008. English Expressways Reading and Language
Teacher’s Manual for Grade 5. SD Publications Inc. p. 180-181
Binwag, J.D. 2020. Detect Bias and Propaganda Devices Used by Speakers.
Retreived from https://www.scribd.com/presentation/443386641/
Detect-biases-and-propaganda-devices-used-by-speakers
Gonzalo, B., et. al.. 2014. English Basics and Beyond 6. FNB Educational
Inc. p. 18-19.
Hamm. E. 2010, December 25. Bias and Propaganda. Retrieved from
https://sites.google.com/site/biasandpropaganda/system/app/
Molabola, J. 2014, August 01. Propaganda Devices. Slideshare. Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/wanitaaaa/propaganda-devices

ANSWER KEY:
10.C 7. Transfer 2 and 3 10.
9.A 6. Plain Folks images Sentences 9. /
8.B 5. Card Stacking tone, Statements 8.
7.D 4. Testimonial attitude or Unbiased 7.
6.A Generalities author’s 5.C 6.
5.D 3. Glittering opinions, 1,4, and 5 4.A 5. /
4.A 2. Bandwagon or creator, Sentences 3.D 4. /
3.B 1. Name-calling author Statements 2.B 3.
2.A Propaganda Bias, Biased 1.E 2. /
1.B Understanding Deepen Up Back 1. /
Post Test Check your Remember: Activity 3: Looking Pre-test

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