Fact, Opinion and Bias

Fact, Opinion and Bias

Learning Objective

.To demonstrate an understanding of the differences between fact, opinion and bias.

.To recognize bias in different sources.  

Definition of Fact

Fact is a truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true and can be proven.

For example:

1. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

2. There are 12 months in a year.

3. Rain is wet.

Multiple Choice

A fact cannot be proven. True or False?

• True

• False

Open Ended

State one fact you know.

Definition of Opinion

An opinion is a personal belief, viewpoint, judgment or attitude that is subjective, can be disputed and cannot be fully proven.

For example:

1. Mermaids and tooth fairies exist. 

2. Red is the most beautiful color. 

3. Scotland is the best place ever!

Multiple Choice

An opinion is objective. True or false?

• True

• False

Open Ended

State one opinion you have about your school.

Multiple Choice

Fact or Opinion?

Apples taste better than pears.

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

Fact or Opinion?

In a leap year, there are 366 days rather than 365 days.

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

Fact or Opinion?

France is in Europe.

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

Fact or Opinion?

Watching the sun set is a magical experience.

• Fact

• Opinion

Definition of Bias

Bias is an individual or source’s particular feelings, opinions, or beliefs which affects how they express their viewpoints on various issues..

Bias is especially common in the areas of race, religion, nationality, gender, social class, politics, etc. 

Examples of Bias

If someone is biased towards a political group or party, he/she will tend to speak more positively of politicians belonging to that party. Additionally, if that same person is biased against a different political group, he/she might quickly disagree with anyone who aligns with that political party.

Examples of Bias

After the first World War, Adolph Hitler blamed the Jews for the general decline in the economic situation in Germany. This was his personal view and may not have been entirely true. This biased viewpoint led to the Holocaust.

Multiple Choice

A newspaper article comments on only the negative things the United Kingdom did to Ghana while ignoring all of the positive things.

Is this biased?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Bias develops as a result of one’s upbringing or personal experience.

• True

• False

Identifying Bias

Tone: Pay attention to the overall tone of the article – is it associated with any particular emotion? 

Language: Does the author use very descriptive language, which may be positive or negative, which shows bias? 

One Perspective: Does the source share just one perspective, or are multiple perspectives shared?

Identifying Bias (cont’d)

Opinionated: Could you re-write the source using the same information but tell a completely different story?

Attitude: How does the author treat the events/people they are writing about – positively, negatively, or balanced?

Missing Information: Is any information missing, or does extra analysis suggest bias?  r

Identifying Bias (cont’d)

Images: Consider how people are portrayed positively or negatively through pictures or video.

Looking Closely: When looking closely for bias, take notes on who, what, when, where, how and why in 3 columns – “positive” “negative” and “balanced” information. 

Multiple Select

Which of the following are ways of identifying bias?

• Different perspectives

• Tone

• Detailed information

• Language