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Persuasion & Bias in nonfiction texts

Our Focus Today, we will analyze persuasion and bias in nonfiction texts. I will know I am successful when I can analyze editorials for persuasive techniques and possible bias.

Persuasion & Argument - important terms Claim: the writer's position on a problem Support: the reasons and evidence used to prove the claim Argument: expresses a position on an issue or problem and presents support for that position Counter-argument: arguments made to address points that someone with an opposing view might raise.

Building an argument for or against something Claim Reason Reason Reason Evidence & Support Evidence & Support Evidence & Support

Persuasion

Persuasive Texts Editorials Policy Speeches Opinion piece Often seen in newspapers, magazines, newscasts, etc. Policy Speeches Speech Recommends guidelines, rules, or a plan of action Tries to convince the audience to support their beliefs

Bias Bias is a tendency to favor one person, group, thing or point of view over another, often in an unfair way. Bias can be a personal opinion or a more public opinion, such as a news story, that only presents facts that support one point of view. Bias impacts the author’s purpose, the persuasive techniques used, and what information (facts and opinions) might be included.

How to Identify Bias Watch for loaded language. Consider the connotation and denotation. Is there omitted information? Are both sides of the topic represented equally? Consider the background experiences of the author/speaker.

Rhetorical Fallacies Ad Hominem Categorical Claim Exaggeration attacks a person’s character rather than the claim Categorical Claim a claim based on an incorrect comparison Exaggeration overstatement of fact or idea (often meant to frighten) Stereotyping classifying a person or group in simple, often negative, ways

With a Partner Read the “Bridge Creek Bulletin” newsletter and work together to answer the questions. Be sure that you can provide reasoning and/or text evidence to support your answers. Read the AVID article titled “Mark Davis: Ban on texting while driving not the solution” Access the Google doc for the article. Work with your partner to locate the persuasive elements listed on the Google doc, analyze the bias in the article, and write a counter-argument.