ENGLISH 8

Quarter 3
Lesson: Identifying Author’s Bias for or Against Wk-1
INTRODUCTION
We all have different opinions. We may not notice that we are carried away by the ideas of what we have read,
watched and heard. Our opinion, on the other hand, also affects one’s thoughts, feelings and actions or vice versa. In other
words, we inevitably become biased and choose what we want to believe and apply.
         On the other hand, not all biases are bad. The truth is, if used only in the right way it will also be used for good. In
the same way, it is very important to detect bias because it helps us identify the purpose of the article, movies, pictures,
paintings, songs, speeches etc. It will also strengthen our understanding of the relevance and importance of the ideas
mentioned by the author/speaker as well as the issues and assumptions or stance he/she presents. 
         Observe the editor’s view regarding rapid testing:

 Illustration Credit: Editorial Cartoon April, 20, 2020

  In this lesson, we are expected to examine the author's bias and categorize it whether he/she is biased for/towards
or biased against someone or something. This will also help us recognize the relevance of the author's biases or worth of
ideas to our own stand based on the assumptions he presented in his/her work.

Let's find out which of the statements below you would side with. Be prepared to explain your perspective on
why it was chosen.

ANTICIPATION GUIDE
Statements Agree Disagree Comment or Explanation
1. Children should be involved in family decision making.
2. Minors need to work to help with family needs.
3. People need to be vaccinated to prevent various
diseases.
4. Parents has the right to monitor your phone calls and
social media accounts.
5. Putting tracking devices on students’ ID Cards

In this activity we found out your opinion on various topics in which you stated the side you are in favor or not in
favor of. It simply shows that we have biased for / toward or biased against someone or something. 

DEVELOPMENT
Now, let's take a look and examine people's perspectives on things.

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 Learning Task 1: Read the statements carefully. Identify whether the author/speaker is biased for/toward or biased
against someone or something. Put a check (/) mark on the statement indicating that the author is in favor of the message
being conveyed and cross (X) mark on the message or idea he / she is not in favor.

___ 1. The youth is the hope of our future. - Jose Rizal

___ 2. With proper governance, life will improve for all. - Benigno Aquino III
_ ___ 3. A broken immigration system means broken families and broken lives. - Jose Antonio Vargas
___ 4. I don't like this kind of life where every month you are faced with some kind of a coup.
- Jejomar Binay
___ 5. I want every Filipino woman empowered with information regarding all options available to her
regarding family planning. - Lea Salonga

Learning Task 2: Analyze the editorial cartoon below. Then, answer the questions that follow.

 https://opinionmashup.wordpress.com
Processing Questions:
1. What is the editorial cartoon about?____________________________________________________________
2. What issue is shown in this editorial cartoon? ____________________________________________________
3. State the stance of the cartoonist in creating it? ________________________________________________
4. Describe the biases depicted in the editorial cartoon by completing the sentence below.
A. Bias for/toward (in favor of) __________________because ______________________________________
B. Bias against (not in favor of)_________________ because ______________________________________

IDENTIFYING AUTHOR’S BIAS FOR / AGAINST

A significant part of evaluating an author’s ethos (convincing the audience that he/she is a credible source and is
worth listening to) is identifying that author’s bias (inclined to favor one side over another). 

Bias is any opinion that influences a person’s thoughts, feelings, or actions. An author/speaker can be:
 biased against something (lean negatively against it); or 
 have a bias for/toward something (lean favorably or positively toward it). 

Example:
“Men have sacrificed and crippled themselves physically and emotionally to feed, house, and protect women and
children. None of their pain or achievement is registered in feminist rhetoric, which portrays men as oppressive and
callous exploiters.” ― Camille Paglia

(The author/speaker has a bias for/towards gender equality. On the other hand, the author/speaker biased against the
thinking which describes men as oppressive and reckless exploiters.)

How to determine what an author’s bias is:

Author’s Use of Evidence Author’s Use of Diction

• 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?
• Does the author use words with more negative connotations when
referring to a part of an issue or specific people?
• Does the author use words with more positive connotation when
referring to a part of an issue or specific people?
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                                                        Source: Core Hero.com

Learning Task 3: Examine the sets of statements or opinions below.  Then, categorize the following whether the
speaker/author is biased for or against someone/something. Explain why.

I’m for it being used in a medical

What is your opinion use but not so for recreational use,
on the legalization of because I think if people were to
marijuana? argue what about alcohol and
cigarettes? Well, everything is good
but in moderation.

(Bias for) In favor of _______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Bias against) Not in favor of ________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

“No one is born hating another person because

of the color of his skin, or his background, or his
religion. People must learn to hate, and if they
can learn to hate, they can be taught to love,
for love comes more naturally to the human
heart than it’s opposite.”

(Bias for) In favor of _______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Bias against) Not in favor of ________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

ENGAGEMENT
Learning Task 4: Search on the lyrics of the song “Where is the Love” by Black Eyed Peas. Study its message then,
complete the table below by answering the given questions.

What is/are the issue/s presented? What is/are the author’s assumption/s or stance?

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 (Bias for) In favor of (Bias against) Not in favor of

Do you agree with the idea presented by the author in his work? Explain why you think that way.

ASSIMILATION
Cut an article from a newspaper or magazine that contains author’s bias and paste it in your answer sheet.
Read the article carefully. Then, identify the bias you have analyzed. Write a five-sentence explanation to
prove your point.
Note: If you have a way to connect to the Internet, you may search on it.

 ASSESSMENT
INSTRUCTIONS: Read the statements below. Then, point out the ideas that favor the
author and those that don’t. 

1. Nations will rise and fall, but equality remains the ideal. The universal aim is to achieve respect for the entire
human race, not for the dominant few. ― Carlos P. Romulo
A. Bias for/toward (in favor of) __________________________________________________________
B. Bias against (not in favor of __________________________________________________________
2. Love should have no alternatives; love should be the sole reason for loving; love should spring
of itself.― Nick Joaquín
A. Bias for/toward (in favor of) ___________________________________________________________
B. Bias against (not in favor of) ___________________________________________________________ 
3. I want our people to be like a Molave tree, strong and resilient, standing on the hillsides,
unafraid of the rising tide, lighting and the storm, confident of its strength.― Manuel L. Quezon
A. Bias for/toward (in favor of) __________________________________________________________
B. Bias against (not in favor of) __________________________________________________________

 REFLECTION
Write your personal insights about the lesson using the prompts below. 

I understand that __________________________________________________________________________.

I realize that ______________________________________________________________________________.
I need to learn more about _______________________________________________________________.