MYP 2 Language and Literature · Advertising & Media

Spotting bias

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  1. Question 1

    A skincare advert states: "This cream is loved by everyone who tries it." Identify the type of bias in this statement.
    No clue? Show me the answer
    Correct answerCorrect!Incorrect
    AIt states an opinion as if it were an established, measurable fact

    Step-by-step walkthrough

    Choose a solution method

    Method #1Direct reasoning

    Step 1: Look at the claim

    The advert says the cream is "loved by everyone," which sounds definite and factual.

    Step 2: Check for evidence

    No survey, statistic or source is given to support "everyone," so the claim cannot actually be verified.

    Step 3: Classify the technique

    Presenting a judgement without proof, dressed up as fact, is exactly the technique of stating opinion as fact.

    Step 4: Confirm the answer

    Therefore the statement is biased because it disguises an unproven opinion as a settled truth.

    Method #2Process of elimination

    Step 1: Rhetorical question

    There is no question in this sentence, so pressuring through a rhetorical question does not apply here.

    Step 2: Omission

    The sentence does not hide any facts about ingredients; it makes a claim rather than leaving something out.

    Step 3: Loaded neutral word

    There is no neutral feature being reframed with a loaded word, such as calling something 'cheap' 'affordable.'

    Step 4: Best fit

    The only technique present is presenting an unsupported opinion as if it were fact, confirming the choice “It states an opinion as if it were an established, measurable fact”.

  2. Question 2

    A cereal box advert shows a smiling child eating cereal at a sunny breakfast table, but does not mention the sugar content anywhere on the packaging. Explain why this is an example of bias through selection and omission.
    No clue? Show me the answer
    Correct answerCorrect!Incorrect
    BThe advert deliberately chooses a happy image while leaving out information that might make buyers hesitate

    Step-by-step walkthrough

    Choose a solution method

    Method #1Direct reasoning

    Step 1: Note what is shown

    The advert includes a cheerful image designed to create positive feelings about the cereal.

    Step 2: Note what is missing

    No mention of sugar content appears anywhere, even though this is relevant health information.

    Step 3: Connect image and gap

    Choosing to show happiness while choosing not to show nutrition facts shapes the buyer's impression without lying outright.

    Step 4: Name the bias

    This combination of what is included and what is left out is the definition of selection and omission bias.

    Method #2Process of elimination

    Step 1: Rhetorical question

    No question is asked in the scenario, so this technique cannot be the correct explanation.

    Step 2: False fact

    The scenario says sugar content is not mentioned at all, not that a false claim is printed.

    Step 3: Loaded words

    No specific negative or positive vocabulary about taste is described in the scenario.

    Step 4: Confirm the fit

    Only the combination of showing a happy image and omitting sugar information matches the scenario, confirming the choice “The advert deliberately chooses a happy image while leaving out information that might make buyers hesitate”.

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