LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET 1

QUARTER 1

Name of Student: _________________________________

Learning Area/ Grade Level: English 8
Date: _______________________

I. Introductory Concept

Is your judgment always fair? Have you ever been unfair over someone or
something?
We all have biases that reflect our opinions and our 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.

Activity 1. Which would you rather prefer over the other? Tick the box of your preference.

Swimming Basketball Volleyball

Skateboarding Tennis

Why did you prefer that over the other? Sometimes our preference of one thing
over the other may lead us to being biased. Read the following sentences:

“Basketball, swimming, volleyball, tennis and skateboarding are all fun sports. But
skateboarding is definitely more enjoyable than the rest because it gives one the thrill and
adrenaline rush.

Take a closer look at the writer's choice of words. Which sport does the writer
prefer? If you said skateboarding, you are correct. You have just identified a bias!
II. Learning Skills from the MELCs
Examine biases (for or against) made by the author

Enrichment

What is a bias? Bias occurs when one displays a partiality for or prejudice against
someone, something, or some idea. Sometimes biases are readily identifiable in direct
statements. Other times a writer's choice of words, selection of facts or examples, or tone of
voice reveals his or her biases.

An Example of Bias:

When I met with Mayor Geovelli, I noticed that he had the appearance of a hobo
(a loaded, negatively charged word). He was unshaved and wearing dirty clothes (one
sided – notice that the author doesn’t tell us why the Mayor was dressed this way. Maybe
there was a good reason). He spoke to me about his horrible plan to fix our city’s roads
(vague language – what specifically is horrible about it?). Anyone who knows the plan will
tell you that it will bankrupt our city (is this a fact or opinion? The author offers no
supporting evidence). The plan to fix our roads mostly benefits friends of the Mayor. He
plans to pay his buddies in the construction business thousands of dollars over the next
two years. I do not want to insult anyone, but the Mayor is of Italian decent, and we all
know what reputation they have in this part of the country. Need I remind you of Al
Capone and other Italian Mafia members? (This is clearly a stereotype – not all Italians are
mobsters).

https://www.wcpss.net/cms/lib/NC01911451/Centricity/Domain/3855/Authors%20Bias%20Notes.pdf

Activity 2. Read each sentences carefully. Underline the word(s) that denotes bias.

1. Aling Nena hurriedly went back to the market to search for the skinny,
filthy boy she bumped into earlier. She is very sure that the boy took her wallet from
her when they collided. “Just by the looks of that boy, he sure is a thief!” Aling Nena
said.
 2. Cats and dogs can both make good pets. Dogs can be affectionate, but they are
extremely difficult to care for. Cats, on the other hand, are also very lovable, cuddly animals,
and they require only moderate care that isn't too time consuming.
3. GMA7 and ABS-CBN were the most watched TV stations nowadays. However, when it
comes to news, GMA7 is the most trusted as they show fairness and equality. They also do not
take political side.
4. Spiders are the most terrifying insect. Those two big eyes, eight hairy legs gives you
the creeps. It makes you scream and run away whenever you see it.

What is Bias in Writing?

Bias in writing can be defined as:

 A prejudice against something an author is writing about.

 Favoritism for something an author is writing about.

 An author letting feelings or emotions cloud his/her objectivity with regard to

something he/she is writing about.

Recognizing Bias
 Look for loaded words – words that are charged with emotion (whether positive
or negative) can reveal an author’s opinion about his/her topic.

 Watch out for stereotypes – if the author labels an entire group, the writing is
probably biased.

 Notice vague language or generalizations – if the author isn’t using specific

language, this could be an indicator of bias.

 Be on the lookout for one-sided arguments – if the author only presents one
side of an argument, his/her writing is probably biased.

 Does the author present facts or opinions? Facts are what they are – the truth.
But opinions can be based on feelings, emotions, or prejudices, which aren’t
objective.

Activity 3: True or False

Direction: Write T if the statement is True. If False, write F and underline the word(s)
that made the statement incorrect.

___________1. Facts can be based on feelings, emotions, or prejudices, which are not objective.
___________2. If the author does not label an entire group, the writing is probably not biased.
___________3. Biases are readily identifiable in direct statements.
___________4. Favoritism for something an author is writing about is not biased.
 ___________5. If the author only presents one side of an argument, his/her writing is probably
biased.

IV. Answer Key

Activity 1. Students answer may vary.

Activity 2. Read each sentences carefully. Underline the word(s) that denotes
bias.
1. Aling Nena hurriedly went back to the market to search for the skinny, filthy boy she
bumped into earlier. She is very sure that the boy took her wallet from her when they collided.
“Just by the looks of that boy, he sure is a thief!” Aling Nena said.
2. Cats and dogs can both make good pets. Dogs can be affectionate, but they are
extremely difficult to care for. Cats, on the other hand, are also very lovable, cuddly animals,
and they require only moderate care that isn't too time consuming.
3. GMA7 and ABS-CBN were the most watched TV stations nowadays. However, when it
comes to news, GMA7 is the most trusted as they show fairness and equality. They also do not
take political side.
4. Spiders are the most terrifying insect. Those two big eyes, eight hairy legs gives you
the creeps. It makes you scream and run away whenever you see it.

Activity 3. True or False

1. F, Facts can be based on feelings, emotions, or prejudices, which are not objective.
2. F, If the author does not label an entire group, the writing is probably not biased
3. True
4. F, Favoritism for something an author is writing about is not biased.
5. True

VI. Reference
Lady Fe C. Abrea; Cristita M. Mabilen; Darlene C. Catigay , Rolan B. Acido
English Quarter 3- Module 2

Prepared by:

JOAN E. PRIMACIO
Teacher I
Noted by:

MARITEZ S. SAÑOSA
Principal I