How might author bias appear in a passage, and how can you spot it?

• A. Bias is introduced by punctuation choices
• B. Look for strong language that favors one side and check evidence
• C. It always appears in footnotes
• D. Bias cannot be detected

Answer: (B)

Bias shows up when the author uses language and presents evidence in a way that pushes you toward one side. You’ll notice strong, loaded words that applaud one view or condemn another, and you’ll see facts that are highlighted while counterpoints or conflicting data are downplayed or left out. The passage may frame the issue in a simple, moralizing way rather than acknowledging complexity, and it may rely on sources that support the view without including diverse or credible perspectives. How the evidence is used matters too: are statistics and quotes clearly sourced, and do they come from a range of credible places, or are they cherry-picked to fit a narrative?

To spot bias, check the tone and how the argument is built: look for one-sided emphasis, emotional language, or conclusions that go beyond what the evidence supports. Verify whether counterarguments are acknowledged or dismissed, and consider whether the author’s sources are credible and varied. If you see strong language paired with selective evidence, that’s a strong signal of bias. This is why the best approach is to look for strong language that favors one side and check the evidence supporting those claims.

Punctuation choices, while they can affect tone, don’t by themselves reveal bias, and bias can appear outside of footnotes too. It's also not accurate to say bias cannot be detected.