RNHS-REVIEWER FOR ENGLISH 8 (WEEK 1-4) Summarized Version of the SLHT | QUARTER 3

WEEK 1: Examine biases (for/against) made by the author

BIAS in writing can be defined as:

o a prejudice or unfairness against something an author is writing about,
o favoritism for something an author is writing about, and
o an author letting feelings or emotions cloud his/her objectivity with regard to something he/she is writing
about.
WE ALL HAVE BIASES THAT REFLECT OUR OPINIONS AND OUR PARTICULAR OUTLOOKS ABOUT LIFE. That is
perfectly normal and simply part of being human. Therefore, nearly every piece of writing exhibits some sort
of bias. A reader's job is to recognize biases and think critically about them to determine how much they affect
a writer's presentation of his or her subject.

If your answer to any of these questions below is YES, you can be pretty sure that the writer has some sort of
bias toward the subject.

Does the author present more positive or negative evidence for one side of an issue than the other?
Does the author use words or impressions with more positive or negative connotations when
referring to one side of an issue or particular people?
Does the writer omit any important facts or evidences?
Does the writer add information and evidence that seems unnecessary just to bolster his or her
point?
Does the writer fail to properly cite his or her sources?

OTHER SOURCES OF BIAS:

a) LOADED WORDS – words that are charged with emotion (whether positive or negative) can reveal an
author’s opinion about his/her topic.
Example: Dogs are affectionate but they are attention seeker.
b) STEREOTYPES – if the author labels an entire group, the writing is probably biased.
Example:
The “Warays” are fearless people; they are the kind you would not want to get into any fights
with.
(Warays refer to natives of the Eastern Visayas region in the Philippines).
c) VAGUE LANGUAGE OR GENERALIZATIONS – if the author isn’t using specific language, this could be an
indicator of bias.
Example:
Most cats are very adorable, playful animals, and easy to care for. That’s the reason why I am
planning to adopt a kitten soon.
Note: The underlined words are both clues that the author is biased for a particular animal.
Other vague words: many, all, most, hot, early, others, soon, less, etc.
d) ONE-SIDED ARGUMENTS – if the author only presents one side of an argument, his/her writing is probably
biased.
Example:
I believe that children under 18 years old should not be allowed to use the internet alone. There
should be a parental supervision. On the other hand, some people think that it is the right of the children

PREPARED BY: MS. GIMENA, ALTHEA MAE B.

 RNHS-REVIEWER FOR ENGLISH 8 (WEEK 1-4) Summarized Version of the SLHT | QUARTER 3

to surf the net anytime they like; however, if given this kind of freedom, it will lead to real risks and
dangers for unsupervised children. These risks include: exposure to online information that promotes
hate, violence and pornography, undeveloped social skills, physical activity and exercise, tendency of
being bullied in social media sites, among others.
Note: In this passage, the author presents a limited opposing viewpoint (underlined clause) which he
easily contradicts to make his argument stronger.
e) OPINIONS – can be based on feelings, emotions, or prejudices, which aren’t objective.
Example:
I believe that the most beautiful country in Southeast Asia is the Philippines, next to Singapore and Japan.
Note: The underlined words are opinion-marking signals that serve as clues that the statement above is
an opinion.
Other opinion-marking signals:
I think… I agree with… the worst thing about…
I believe… …is better than… everyone/we should…
I feel… the best thing about… I disagree with…

WEEK 2: Analyze intention of words or expressions used in propaganda techniques

PROPAGANDA has existed as a method for any leaders or corporations to gain influence. Leaders such as Adolf
Hitler and people who inspired many such as Mahatma Gandhi used a certain concept as a message for their
followers to employ in their lives. These leaders also use it in the form of strong words such as “faith”,
“independence”, “freedom”, “pride”, and even “peace”.
SEVEN TYPES OF PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUES:
a) GLITTERING GENERALITIES
consists of words that are filled with praises.
phrases such as “world-class food” are what glittering generalities are all about.
often found in product labels like “new and improved” and “20% more” (placed in product in order to
attract people in purchasing it).
Example: ”Feel the love today at Café Oreo and enjoy 20% off with our wide arrays of cakes and cupcakes
if you order our newest strawberry milk tea. Visit our shop from 9am until 9pm. Happy me, happy you here
at Café Oreo.”
b) NAME CALLING/TRASH TALKING
occurs when pejorative words are used by an entity or a personality when talking about their rival.
Some politicians tend to perform name calling if they have a tight and bitter rivalry with an opposing party.
Example: “Who invited that nerd here in my party?”
(The word nerd here in this sentence expresses a negative impression on the person).
c) PLAIN FOLKS
an appeal which talks about regular people and common life values such as family, finances and health.
often shows that the advocacy or the product is for everyone to enjoy.
Example: An ordinary housewife endorsing the newest spaghetti meat sauce.
d) BANDWAGON
main idea of this propaganda is to let people know that it’s good for them as the majority likes it.
Numerous corporations have used the power of bandwagon in order to promote many people in believing
the capability of their product.

PREPARED BY: MS. GIMENA, ALTHEA MAE B.

 RNHS-REVIEWER FOR ENGLISH 8 (WEEK 1-4) Summarized Version of the SLHT | QUARTER 3

The strongest message of this advocacy is letting people feel like they will be “left out” if they don’t join
the crowd.
Example: “Everyone is going to the newest gym in town. Everybody is talking about it. Why aren’t you?”
(In this statement, it shows that you will be left out if you don’t join with others in the gym).
e) TESTIMONIALS
the method of using this propaganda is simply by showing what others could say about the advocacy or
the product. It’s like letting the people talk about the product’s capability in a positive manner.
Take a look at the example below: A customer is saying what the product is about, and its important
features, means using his testimonials to promote the product.
Example: Mang Juan, a farmer, says, “This is the newest brand of crop fertilizer. It is good and very effective.
My plants are growing well and the yields have multiplied double.”
(In this example, an ordinary farmer is endorsing a new brand of fertilizer).
f) CARD STACKING
This is where advertisers or politicians will continuously talk about the good qualities of whatever they are
promoting.
A lot of political advertisements and medicine advertisements often use the card stacking approach in
order to gain the attention of their target audience.
Example: “Try our new product, the chocolate moist cake. It’s rich, creamy, chocolatey, mouth-watering
super delicious chocolate cake.”
g) TRANSFER
The transfer propaganda uses an entitled personality such as a politician or a celebrity in order to promote
one’s message.
Example: “Maja Salvador is using the newest Head and Shoulders shampoo and so should you!”

WEEK 3: Determine various social, moral, and economic issues discussed in the text listened to

Read the excerpt below and practice answering the questions about it. Be sure to identify the issues discussed
in the text.
RAPID URBANIZATION
“Today, 50 percent of the Asian population lives in cities. Urbanization has critical implications for development,
since cities are the locus of most social change, most of the demand for more transparent and accountable
government, and the bulk of economic output. The burdens on urban governance are immense; overstretched
infrastructure and services constrain economic growth, increase communal conflict, and significantly reduce the
overall quality of life, especially for the poor. On top of these challenges, Asia’s bulging cities are increasingly
vulnerable to environmental disasters: 51 of the 100 cities with the greatest exposure to natural hazards are in
Asia.
For example, in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, the population has nearly doubled in the last decade, and new
construction has driven thousands from the city center to peri-urban areas where services are few or non-
existent, and poor waste management threatens the city’s health and economic viability. As part of our work

PREPARED BY: MS. GIMENA, ALTHEA MAE B.

 RNHS-REVIEWER FOR ENGLISH 8 (WEEK 1-4) Summarized Version of the SLHT | QUARTER 3

on urban governance we brought together local governments and communities in these areas to raise
awareness of issues like waste management, and prepared a memorandum of solutions for waste collection
and disposal for the governor of Phnom Penh from the Municipal Waste Authority. Now we are collaborating
with solid-waste collectors and City Hall to develop a plan to improve and reform city services and put ideas into
action.”
Source: “Six Pressing Issues in Asia and How We’re Adapting Our
Approach to Address Them” by David Arnold. The Asia
Foundation. September 6, 2016. https://bit.ly/3bJibGP
QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
1) What does the text mainly discuss?
2) What is the author’s impression on the topic?
3) What does the author want the readers to understand?
4) According to the author, how does urbanization affect the society?
5) How will these issues be resolved?

You may use a scratch paper for your answers and please always answer questions like those above with
complete sentences unless there are options indicated for you to choose.

WEEK 4: Analyze literature as a mirror to a shared heritage of people with diverse backgrounds

To analyze literature as a mirror to heritage shared by people of diverse backgrounds, you must have read the
story first. Look for words that you find unfamiliar/difficult in it. Then, use the dictionary or just look for context
clues to find its definition or shall I say meaning provided that you go over each sentence where these words
are found. Try to understand the story by looking for situations that will lead you to somehow connect it with
your own experience and culture. Ask yourself some questions about the story, its characters and to why you
think they behaved that way. Only then will you understand the connection of heritage and diversity of people’s
background. So what are you waiting for? Read the Japanese folktale entitled “The Story of the Aged Mother”
on your SLHT to learn more!

PREPARED BY: MS. GIMENA, ALTHEA MAE B.