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ENGL 015: Rhetoric and Composition (Belknap)

This guide is for students in Kevin Belknap's ENGL 015 course at Penn State Behrend.

Avoiding Bias

When we begin a research assignment with a formed opinion or argument in mind, it can be difficult to avoid bias in our writing. The choices we make when we look for information can be biased too. Looking for sources that support your thesis is an example of confirmation bias, and confirmation bias is, "a tendency to look first for information that confirms a desired conclusion" (Cornell Law School). How can you avoid bias? Try starting with a question. Begin with the question, and let the evidence guide you.

Explore Topics

Explore topics using the following news organizations and library databases.