Bias and Persuasive Writing

Bias

• Bias is a preference or inclination for or against something, often unconscious and based on personal experiences.
• Types include cognitive bias (e.g., confirmation bias, anchoring bias), statistical bias (e.g., selection bias, sampling bias), social bias (e.g., gender bias, implicit bias), and media bias (e.g., framing bias, sensationalism).
• Prejudice is a preconceived, usually negative opinion about a person or group based on stereotypes, often leading to discrimination.
• A key difference is that bias can be neutral or unintentional, while prejudice is typically negative and unjustified.

Persuasive vs. Argumentative Writing

• Persuasive writing aims to convince the reader to agree with the writer's opinion, blending opinions with facts.
• Argumentative writing aims to prove a perspective as truth using logic and evidence, relying on credible data and reasoning.
• Persuasive writing targets a specific audience to achieve a goal, while argumentative writing presents a logical argument without a specific audience.
• Persuasive writing uses first-person ("I") and second-person ("you") pronouns, while argumentative writing uses third-person for objectivity.
• Persuasive writing is often emotional and personal, whereas argumentative writing is fair, respectful, and logical.
• Persuasive writing focuses only on the writer's viewpoint; argumentative writing acknowledges and counters opposing views.
• Persuasive writing begins with a chosen viewpoint based on personal interest; argumentative writing researches a debatable topic and aligns with facts.
• Persuasive writing uses emotions and personal beliefs; argumentative writing uses logic, evidence, and expert sources.

"Sorry, Wrong Number" Study Notes

• Genre: Suspense and thriller (radio drama).
• Plot Summary: A bedridden woman, Mrs. Leona Stevenson, overhears a murder plot on the phone. She attempts to alert the police but faces unhelpful operators and indifferent policemen. Ultimately, she realizes she is the target and is murdered while on the phone.
• Characters:
  • Mrs. Leona Stevenson: Wealthy, bedridden woman, murder victim.
  • Mr. Henry Stevenson: Leona's husband, implicated in the crime.
  • Operators & Police: Unhelpful and inattentive, failing to prevent the crime.
  • George: The hired killer.
  • Sergeant Duffy: A policeman who dismisses Leona's concerns.
• Key Themes:
  • Isolation and helplessness: Leona is unable to receive help.
  • Inefficiency of society: No one intervenes to prevent the crime.
  • Irony and fate: Leona attempts to prevent a murder but becomes the victim.
• Literary Devices:
  • Foreshadowing: Clues hint at Leona's fate.
  • Suspense and irony: The audience is aware of events Leona is not.
  • Sound effects and dialogue: Builds tension in the radio drama format.

This quiz explores the concepts of bias and the differences between persuasive and argumentative writing. Understand various types of biases, including cognitive, statistical, social, and media bias. Additionally, learn how persuasive writing aims to convince readers, in contrast to the logical approach of argumentative writing.