Hidden Agendas :

1. Hidden Agendas: Bias and Persuasive Techniques in Articles

2. Hidden Agendas: Assignment • Work in groups of three to four. • Read three articles on a given topic. • Analyze the articles as a group on the chart provided. • Individually, write a paragraph in which you discuss the differences in the information provided in the three articles. • Prepare a Works Cited for the three articles that you read. • As a group, discuss your information with the class.

3. Hidden Agendas: Necessary Information • An article provides information about a topic, a person, or an event. • Tone is the author’s attitude toward the subject and the readers or listeners. (ex. – pompous, playful, serious, sarcastic, friendly) • The author’s audience is the intended reader or listener. (ex. young adults, parents, voters) • The author’s purpose is his/her reason for writing. (ex. to inform, to persuade, to honor, to entertain, to explain) • The author’s perspective is the viewpoint or opinion expressed about the subject. • Bias occurs when there is a one-sided presentation, by ignoring relevant facts or by using emotional language that unfairly sways reader’s feelings. T A P P

4. Hidden Agendas: Bias in articles • Bias is created in articles with the use of emotionally charged words, also called loaded words. • Bias is also created through the use of rhetorical devices: • - Pathos: the use of images or words that appeal to • the reader’s emotions • - Ethos: the use of images or words that appeal to • the reader’s sense of morality or ethics. • - Pathos: the use of images or words that appeal to • the reader’s sense of logic

5. Hidden agendas: Watch this short video to understand ethos, pathos, and logos. • The Art of Rhetoric

6. Hidden Agendas: Using What you know • Using what you now know about persuasive techniques in creating bias in articles, complete your assignment in groups. • You will need • - two or three partners, • - a set of three articles all on the same topic, • - a chart for analyzing the articles, • - your MLA guide to record the articles your • group analyzes in correct format, and • - notebook paper for your individual paragraph.