What Is Bias In Writing?

What Is Bias In Writing?

Bias in writing is the inclination of a writer to favor a particular perspective or point of view.  This can happen intentionally or unintentionally, and it can manifest itself in a variety of ways.

The entry of bias into your writing may be essential and necessary!

Keep in mind that when you are writing fictional characters they need to exist with their own natural tendencies and bias.  Without the tendency and bias toward violence, that is essentially written into a demonic Succubus, that character would not be believable!  Likewise, when you are developing a sweet, loving, good-natured Goblin as the antithesis to that terrifyingly strong demonic presence you need to write her with a different set of biases, using the techniques of altering her tone framing and word choices.

On the other hand, bias in factual documents can undermine your point, sabotage the goal of your writing, and even cripple your credibility with your audience.

Why Is Bias A Problem In Writing?

Bias can be a problem for a number of reasons. It can lead to unfair or inaccurate representations of information, it can make it difficult for readers to form their own opinions, and it can damage a writer’s credibility.

What Is The Most Common Example Of Bias In Writing?

Confirmation bias is the most common type of bias in writing. It occurs when a writer favors information that confirms their existing beliefs and ignores or discounts information that contradicts them. This can lead to a number of problems.

The problems you can create for your writing are:

• Unfair or inaccurate representations of information: Confirmation bias can lead to writers presenting information in away that is unfair or inaccurate. For example, a writer who believes that organic food is healthier than conventional food may only present evidence that supports this belief, even though there is evidence to suggest that the two types of food are not significantly different in terms of health benefits.
• Difficulty for readers to form their own opinions: Confirmationbias can make it difficult for readers to form their own opinions about a topic. This is because they are only being presented with information that confirms a particular point of view.
• Damage to a writer’s credibility: When writers are seen as biased, it can damage their credibility. This can make it difficult for them to be taken seriously, and it can make it difficult for their writing to have a positive impact.

The Six Deadly Types Of Bias In Your Writing:

There are many different types of bias in writing, but some of the most common include:

Confirmation bias

1. Confirmation bias: This is the tendency to favor information that

   

   confirms one’s existing beliefs and ignores or discounts information that contradicts them. Confirmation bias can lead to unfair or inaccurate representations of information, and it can make it difficult for readers to form their own opinions.

   Selection bias

2. Selection bias: This is the tendency to select information in a way that is not representative of the population as a whole. For example, a writer who only interviews people who agree with their point of view is likely to produce a biased piece of writing.
   

   Framing bias

3. Framing bias: This is the tendency to present information in a way that influences how people think about it. For example, a writer who frames a policy as a “tax cut” is likely to elicit a more positive response than a writer who frames the same policy as a “revenue reduction measure.
   

   Stereotyping bias

4. Stereotyping bias: This is the tendency to make assumptions about people based on their race, gender, religion, or other group affiliations. Stereotyping bias can lead to discrimination and unfair treatment.
   

   Attribution bias

5. Attribution bias: This is the tendency to attribute one’s own successes to internal factors, such as skill or hard work, and to attribute one’s failures to external factors, such as bad luck or unfairness. Attribution bias can lead to an inflated sense of self-worth and a tendency to blame others for one’s mistakes.
   

   Anchoring bias

6. Anchoring bias: This is the tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information that one encounters when making a decision. For example, a shopper who sees a product advertised for $100 is likely to be more likely to buy it if it is later discounted to $80, even if the original price was inflated.

Bias can be a problem for a number of reasons. It can lead to unfair or inaccurate representations of information, it can make it difficult for readers to form their own opinions, and it can damage a writer’s credibility.

The Four Most Common Ways Bias Enters Your Writing:

1. Word choice: The words that a writer chooses can convey a particular slant or opinion. For example, the word “lazy” has a negative connotation, while the word “relaxed” has a positive connotation.
2. Tone: The tone of a writer’s voice can also convey bias. A writer who uses a sarcastic or dismissive tone is likely to be perceived as biased against the subject matter.
3. Structure: The way that a writer structures their argument can also be biased. For example, a writer who only presents evidence that supports their own point of view is likely to be seen as biased.
4. Omission: A writer can also be biased by omitting important information. For example, a writer who discusses the benefits of a new drug but fails to mention the potential side effects is likely to be seen as biased in favor of the drug.

Author Bias In Fiction

When using bias as a character development technique in your fiction it is important to remember and apply the correct types per each character.

One of the most important lessons that Doug Franklin, the author dude, tries to put into books and dialogue, in particular, is believable character prejudices, motivations, and reactions.

The fastest and easiest way to do that is through innate and natural character bias.  Two characters from our most recently published A.U. Link story are between a vicious feral and evil demon, and a kind, caring, loving female goblin who are aligned about as opposite as two characters can get!

Lilitha – Evil On Earth Because Of One Jackass:

In the case of Lilitha, our angry, evil, aggressive Lust-Demon she needs to show a dichotomy in how she speaks and acts.  One instant she needs to show sweet, seductive language and actions to make her innate powers generate lust and attraction in men.

By the same token, Lilitha is a Demon!

She needs to not only say but demonstrate her intent and desire to murder weak humans who interfere with her plans or offend her sensibilities.  Her language and bias towards aggressive action come right out and are on clear display as her tone and word choices slam her lethal intent home.

Her coy word games, allow her to use ‘Selection Bias‘ when the main character exclaims, ‘What the hell!’ in surprise and she teases back, ‘Indeed!’

As a demon, she refuses to allow a weak mortal to touch her horns, because that leverage is a sign of submission.  Lilitha deliberately warned her victim using violently aggressive words that matched her nature, using her bias as a character-building trait.  In this case, she warned, “Don’t you dare pull my horns, or I will eviscerate you right here where you stand, mortal! I will bathe in your blood if you do that again! I hate that!”  Her word selection and tone are clear.

Azura – The Good Goblin:

Azura was a pleasant character.  A relaxed, fun, cheerful, loving woman who while she took advantage out of necessity did not make overtly hostile actions.  All of her word choice and tone were quiet, supportive, and pleasant.  She did omit some extremely important facts that she was using to get her way.

But that is a spoiler, and no one likes spoilers!  Right?

As Queen of her decimated, and then decimated again, and then repeatedly ravaged clan remnant, her driving goal after the civil war that killed so many was the survival and prosperity of her clan.

Azura’s biggest tool was Confirmation Bias as she just let our main character believe what he wanted to believe.  Until she got caught.  But by then Anchoring Bias had sunk in and life was good, food was excellent, and the clan was extremely happy, so no one wanted to make a mess of things at that point.

How Can I Tell There Is Bias In Argumentative Writing

Here are some signs and symptoms that someone is using bias in argumentative writing:

• They use loaded language.

  This means that they use words that have strong emotional connotations, such as “lazy,” “stupid,” or “heroic.” This type of language is often used to sway the reader’s opinion rather than to present a balanced argument.

• They make generalizations.

  This means that they make broad statements about entire groups of people, without considering any individual exceptions. For example, someone might say that all teenagers are lazy or that all politicians are corrupt. These types of generalizations are often based on stereotypes and prejudices, and they can be very harmful.

• They ignore evidence that contradicts their point of view.

  This means that they only present evidence that supports their own side of the argument, and they dismiss or ignore any evidence that contradicts it. This is a sign that the writer is not interested in having a fair and balanced discussion.

• They attack the person instead of the argument.

  This is a logical fallacy known as ad hominem. It means that the writer is trying to discredit the other person instead of actually addressing their arguments. This is a sign that the writer is not confident in their own position, and they are trying to distract the reader from the real issues.

• They use emotional appeals instead of logical reasoning.

  This means that they try to manipulate the reader’s emotions instead of actually making a logical argument. For example, they might use scare tactics or appeals to patriotism. This type of writing is often used to sell products or to get people to vote for a particular candidate.

If you see any of these signs in someone’s writing, it is a good indicator that they are using bias. It is important to be critical of any information that you read and to be aware of the potential for bias.

Here Are Nine Signs An Author Is Allowing Bias Into Their Research:

Here are some signs and symptoms that someone allowing bias to color the results of their research:

1. Focusing on Specific Results:
   

   If a researcher is only focusing on specific results that support their hypothesis and ignoring or downplaying evidence that contradicts their hypothesis, this is a sign that they may be biased.

2. Preconceptions:

   If a researcher has preconceived notions about the outcome of their research, this can lead them to interpret their results in a way that confirms their beliefs, even if the evidence is not there to support it.

3. Emotional Attachment:

   If a researcher is emotionally invested in their research, this can make it difficult for them to be objective and to see the evidence in a neutral light.

4. Lack of Awareness:

   Researchers may not be aware of their own biases, which can lead them to make decisions that are based on these biases without realizing.

5. Selection Bias:
   

   Researchers may select participants or data that is not representative of the population they are studying, which can lead to biased results.

6. Measurement Bias:
   

   Researchers may use measurement tools that are not accurate or that are biased in favor of a particular outcome, which can lead to biased results.

7. Interpretation Bias:
   

   Researchers may interpret their results in a way that is not supported by the evidence, which can lead to biased conclusions.

8. Lack of Transparency:
   

   Researchers may not be transparent about their methods or their results, which can make it difficult to identify potential biases.

9. Lack of Peer Review:

   Research that has not been peer-reviewed is more likely to be biased, as it has not been subjected to the scrutiny of other experts.

It is important to note that bias is not always intentional. It can be unconscious and unintentional. However, it is important to be aware of the potential for bias and to take steps to avoid it.

What Are 5 Examples Of Bias In Writing?

I gave two examples of bias in Doug Franklin’s fiction in the sections above.

How Do You Explain Bias?

Here is bias explained so simply that a child could understand!

Imagine you are playing a game of “guess the coin.” In this game, someone hides a coin under one of three cups, and you have to guess which cup it is under. If you guess correctly, you win a point. If you guess incorrectly, you lose a point.

Now, let’s say that you have a friend who always guesses that the coin is under the left cup. No matter how many times you tell them that the coin is under a different cup, they always guess left. This is an example of bias.

Bias is when someone has a preconceived idea about something and it affects their judgment. In this case, your friend’s bias is that they think the coin is always under the left cup. This bias is preventing them from seeing the truth.

Bias can be good or bad. For example, if you are always careful when you cross the street, that is a good bias. It is a bias that helps to keep you safe.

However, bias can also be bad. For example, if you think that all people from a certain country are lazy, that is a bad bias. It is a bias that can lead to unfair treatment.

It is important to be aware of your own biases and to try to be fair and objective. This will help you to make better decisions and to treat others with respect.

Where does Bias In Writing Come From?

Bias in writing can stem from various sources.  That is why it is such a powerful tool when writing fictional characters!  Unchecked bias can also devastate your credibility when you are writing a formal paper.  Or handling factual information where your credibility is at stake.

Personal experiences and beliefs: A writer’s personal experiences and beliefs can shape their perspective and influence the way they present information. For instance, if a writer grew up in a family that supports a particular political party.  They might be more likely to favor that party in their writing.

Social and cultural background: A writer’s social and cultural background can also contribute to bias. For example, a writer from a culture that values individualism might be more likely to write about individual achievements.  While a writer from a culture that values collectivism might focus on group accomplishments.

Limited information and perspectives: If a writer only has access to limited information or only considers a narrow range of perspectives, their writing may be biased. This can happen when a writer relies on a single source of information or only interviews people who share their views.

Emotional attachments: Strong emotions can cloud a writer’s judgment and lead to biased writing. For instance, a writer who is passionate about a particular issue might be more likely to use emotive language or exaggerate facts to support their viewpoint.

Unconscious biases: Even when writers strive to be objective, they may unconsciously hold biases that can influence their writing. These unconscious biases can be rooted in upbringing, social norms, or personal experiences.

Intentional bias: In some cases, bias in writing may be intentional. A writer may deliberately skew their writing to favor a particular viewpoint, manipulate readers’ opinions, or promote a specific agenda.

How To Avoid Biases In My Writing

There are a number of things that writers can do to avoid bias in their own writing. These include:

• Being aware of their own biases: The first step to avoiding bias is to be aware of one’s own biases. Writers can do this by reflecting on their own experiences and beliefs, and by seeking out information from a variety of sources.
• Considering multiple perspectives: When writing about a complex issue, it is important to consider multiple perspectives. This will help to ensure that the writing is fair and balanced.
• Using neutral language: Writers should avoid using language that is loaded with emotion or that suggests a particular point of view.
• Supporting claims with evidence: Writers should support their claims with evidence, such as facts, statistics, and expert opinions.
• Being open to feedback: Writers should be open to feedback from others, and they should be willing to revise their writing if necessary.

By following these tips, writers can help to ensure that their writing is fair, balanced, and unbiased.

Conclusion:

Remember that all humans have biases.  We must keep our biases in check and restrain them for the proper setting.

Because everyone has their own biases, we can all smell those biases in everyone else almost instinctually.  Some news articles have the ‘ring of truth’ while others just seem a little sketchy and off.  This is because the opposing view is called ‘that poopoo head on the other side’, boom, personal attack.

We can pick bias up quickly.

That is why using bias with your fictional characters is SO powerful!

If you have the opportunity we keep two fiction-based pen names running segregating normal fiction and the more adult fiction.  There is also a much more tame series of factual books under my own name.

I bet if you look really carefully though, that you can find some Anchoring Bias in Decade In Daylight!  Probably because I wrote that book for our business.  That is because the book Decade In Daylighitng starts a sales conversation about a product.