Critical Evaluation of Non-Fiction

Okay, we've got some solid information, but how do we know the person who wrote it isn't trying to get us to believe what he or she wants us to believe? We have to examine it for bias!

First, check out these notes:





Then complete the following activities:

Connotation Activity



Maxwell activity




Finally, using the Bias in the News handout,


Bias in the News


consult the newspaper you are given in your groups.

1. Cut out the articles you think contain a value judgment (author opinion).

2. Highlight the word(s) and/or sentence(s) that you believe introduce a bias into the story, and answer the following questions on a separate piece of paper:

• Why do you think the words convey a value judgment/author opinion?
• Are these words or phrases found in a news story, a column, an editorial or a review? Why is this significant?

3. Prepare to present your finding to the class

(adapted from the Media Awareness Network)