What is Bias

Bias is a belief that some ideas, people, or things are better than others.That belief leads to unfairness or prejudice.Generally it has a negative connotation (feeling).

Bias indicates that one thing is better than another - without taking into consideration facts or other points of view.Bias can lead to prejudice and unfairness behaviors.

Opinion is a belief or judgement about something.Your opinion might be biased if you don't take into account various aspects on an issue while forming your opinion.If you refuse to consider both sides of a topic, you're in danger of forming a biased opinion.

You might have trouble looking at things fairly.

It is meant to be persuasive.You might be easily convinced about an issue without knowing all the facts or looking at all the sides of an issue without knowing all facts or looking at all the sides of an issue.

You might not be getting the whole story.

Biased information results in misinformation and poorly formed conclusions.If you don't recognize biase, you can be persuaded to believe something-based on only part of the information available.

Look for opinion words.Be on the lookout for "value-laden" words that carry strong feelings.Examples: best, love, honor, wonderful, worst.

Opinions sometimes sound like facts.Watch for opinions that sound like facts.The "I think" is removed from the start of the sentence.

Ask yourself if someone can argue the statement.It is difficult to argue facts.As you are reading, ask yourself if the writer has proved a statement to be true. You can argue either for or against a biased statement.

Watch out for a biased statement if the author generalizes."Everyone loves hockey".