Exploring Bias and Stereotypes across Texts
Exploring Bias and Stereotypes across Texts
Objectives
In this unit, students examine the problems in communication caused by bias, stereotypes, and exaggeration. Students will:
- identify the use of bias in nonfiction texts.
- recognize the difference between an objective and a biased account of an event.
- recognize that bias appears to some degree in almost all writing.
- distinguish between reasonable opinions and irrational prejudice.
- recognize the ways in which viewpoint affects what an individual says, writes, and reads.
- compose a biased account of an event from a particular individual’s viewpoint.
- examine articles to identify author’s purpose and to identify evidence of biased thinking.
- recognize the role of word choice in revealing bias.
- define stereotyping and identify examples of it.
- identify and discuss the problems associated with stereotyping.
- define exaggeration and propaganda.
- identify examples of exaggeration in nonfiction.
- read several articles and identify them as objective or biased, citing supporting evidence.
- label specific examples of stereotyping and exaggeration.
Essential Questions
- How does interaction with text provoke thinking and response?
Related Unit and Lesson Plans
Related Materials & Resources
The possible inclusion of commercial websites below is not an implied endorsement of their products, which are not free, and are not required for this lesson plan.
- “Good Morning Boys and Girls” by Rebecca Bigler from Teaching Tolerance: A Project of the Southern Poverty Law Center. http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-28-fall-2005/good-morning-boys-and-girls
- “Teaching ESL/EFL Students to Recognize Gender Bias in Children’s Literature” by Junmin Kuo in The Internet TESL Journal, Vol. XI, No. 11, November 2005. http://iteslj.org/Articles/Kuo-GenderBias.html
- “What Is Critical Reading?” from How the Language Really Works: The Fundamentals of Critical Reading and Effective Writing by Dan Kurland. http://www.criticalreading.com/critical_reading.htm
“Test Yourself for Hidden Bias” from Teaching Tolerance: A Project of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
http://www.tolerance.org/activity/test-yourself-hidden-bias
- “Game Face” by Jill Caryl Weiner from Teaching Tolerance: A Project of the Southern Poverty Law Center. Number 28. Fall 2005. http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-28-fall-2005/game-face
Formative Assessment
DRAFT 06/09/2011