Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion to Identify Misconceptions and Biases

What is an opinion?

A statement of the author's beliefs that cannot be proven

What is point of view?

The narrative voice (first, second, or third person)

What is a paraphrase?

Explaining an idea in your own words

What is a viewpoint?

An author's beliefs or opinions about a topic

What is connotation?

The implied meaning of a word based on attached emotions and assumptions

What is tone?

The author's attitude toward a topic

What is a stereotype?

A generalized belief that puts everyone in a group in the same category

What is research?

Ideas backed by study

What is bias?

An unfair or close-minded opinion for or against an idea, person, group, or belief

What is a fact?

A statement that can be proven true with credible, reliable evidence

What is required for factual writing?

Credible, appropriate evidence with citations

What is the result of evidence with no citation?

It cannot be accepted as factual

What are types of sources authors use as evidence?

Print/electronic sources, observation, interviews, surveys, experiments, personal experience

What is evidence from surveys usually shown as?

Statistics and data

What is evidence from experiments usually shown as?

Charts and graphs

What is the way to check an author's evidence?

Confirm citations or look up the studies and facts

What is first-person point of view?

The author is a participant; uses "I," "me," "we"

What is second-person point of view?

The author speaks to readers; uses "you"

What is third-person point of view?

The author is not a participant; uses "he," "she," "they"

What is the difference between point of view and viewpoint?

Point of view is narrative voice; viewpoint is the author's opinion

What are the steps to identify an author's viewpoint?

Find the topic, note the ideas and evidence, determine the opinion

What is the kind of word used to describe tone?

An emotive word (e.g., joyful, ominous, detached)

What can be used to determine tone? (4)

Context, audience, emotional words, and punctuation

What is the connection between tone and bias?

Tone shows which ideas an author takes more or less seriously

What is a sign of bias through tone?

Jokes or sarcasm about a person or idea

What is a sign of a fair, unbiased tone?

A serious tone free of emotive language

What is a characteristic of stereotyping in writing?

General statements about groups or unreliable evidence about them

What is a characteristic of biased writing?

Emotionally charged words or omitting facts that contradict the author's ideas

What is an example of a stereotype?

All tall people are good at basketball

What is an example of bias?

Cardiovascular exercise is the only way to improve health

What are ways to detect stereotypes and bias?

Read multiple texts, consider opposing sides, read authors with that identity or experience

What are the steps to identify a fact?

Check if it can be proven, then check if the evidence is credible

What is a clue that a statement is an opinion?

It claims something is the "best" or "worst"

What is the best way to separate facts from opinions on a topic?

Read multiple texts about the topic