IXL | Evaluate newspaper headlines for bias

Which headline best avoids biased language?

Candidate Motivates Donors with Heartfelt Appeal

Candidate Raises Two Million Dollars after Speech

Candidate Slyly Spins Words to Pad Campaign Fund

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question

Which headline best avoids biased language?

Music Series Replaces Traditional Opera with Modern Rap

In Baffling Move, Music Series Trades Opera for Rap

Music Series Swaps Opera with Stimulating Rap

key idea

Bias results when writers inject personal feelings or opinions into writing that is supposed to be neutral and fact-based. Positive bias occurs when writers use language showing that they like or agree with the subject they are writing about. Negative bias occurs when writers use language showing that they dislike or disagree with the subject.

When completing a research assignment, you should try to find sources that are reliable and free from bias. One way to check for bias in a news story is to look at the language used in the story's headline. A headline that includes highly emotional or opinion-based language is a sign the story might be biased.

These headlines use biased language:

Well-Designed Construction Plan an Absolute Win for Community

Language like "well-designed" and "absolute win" suggests the writer has a positive bias toward the construction plan.

Flawed Construction Plan Too Risky for Community

Language like "flawed" and "too risky" suggests the writer has a negative bias against the construction plan.

This headline avoids biased language:

Study Examines Impacts of Construction Plan on Community

The language used in the headline does not reveal the writer's own feelings about the construction plan.

solution

This headline best avoids biased language:

Music Series Replaces Traditional Opera with Modern Rap

These headlines use biased language:

In Baffling Move, Music Series Trades Opera for Rap

Language like "baffling" suggests the writer has a negative bias against the inclusion of rap music.

Music Series Swaps Opera with Stimulating Rap

Language like "stimulating" suggests the writer has a positive bias toward the inclusion of rap music.

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Teacher tools

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Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

O.1Distinguish facts from opinions

T.2Identify an author's statement of opinion

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