What is a Paragraph?

Biases, Assumptions, and Stereotypes

• Biases, assumptions, and stereotypes are sneaky devices that can distort the way we think about people or things and are present in many types of writing.
• Effective readers need to recognize and critically think about these devices to determine their impact on a writer's presentation.

Biases

• Bias occurs when a writer displays a partiality for or prejudice against someone, something, or some idea.
• Biases can be readily identifiable in direct statements or revealed through a writer's choice of words, selection of facts or examples, or tone of voice.
• Everyone has biases that reflect their opinions and outlooks on life, making it normal for nearly every piece of writing to exhibit some sort of bias.
• To recognize biases, ask:
  • Does the writer use overly positive or negative language?
  • Does the writer use emotionally charged language?
  • Does the writer use vague or generalized language?
  • Does the writer omit important facts?
  • Does the writer add unnecessary information to bolster their point?
  • Does the writer fail to properly cite their sources?
• If the answer is "yes" to any of these questions, the writer likely has a bias towards the subject.

Assumptions

• Assumptions are points in an argument that a writer takes for granted and doesn't prove with evidence.
• Assumptions are present in every piece of writing and can be good things, providing common ground between writers and readers.
• To recognize assumptions, identify the writer's claim, the reasons and evidence they present to support their claim, and what they have left unsaid or taken for granted.
• Assumptions can be thinking critically about whether or not they are valid.

Stereotypes

• A stereotype is a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.
• Stereotypes distort reality and provide skewed views of whole groups of people based on their gender, age, race, religion, appearance, or abilities.
• Readers can recognize stereotypes by thinking critically about how writers describe certain groups of people and members of those groups.
• Does the writer identify a unique individual according to the characteristics of a group? Or does the writer identify a whole group as having the same characteristics without acknowledging individual differences?

Learn about the definition and purpose of a paragraph, including its composition and structure. Discover how sentences work together to convey a single idea.