Writing Spaces 3

Assessing Source Bias
The way authors choose to make their point is also important when evalu-
ating sources for credibility. For example, you’ve probably seen the ASPCA 
commercials featuring melancholy music and heartbreaking pictures of sad 
or abused animals. The goal of these commercials is to persuade viewers 
to donate money to the ASPCA—and the appeal to emotions is hard to 
miss. The ASPCA and homeless pets have certainly benefitted from the 
generosity of viewers whose heartstrings were tugged by the use of emotion 
in these commercials. 
Appealing to the reader’s emotions (using pathos) can be very effective 
at helping the reader connect to the author’s main point, but when we 
select sources for research projects, we must make sure that an author’s 
appeal to emotion is not a sign of bias. Biased sources may cause readers to 
feel guilty about holding certain viewpoints or engaging in certain activ-

---

Kate Warrington, Natasha Kovalyova, and Cindy King
192
W
R
IT
IN
G 
SP
AC
E
S 3
ities, which may be the goal of the source. For example, Lisa writes in her 
reading journal about Kasper Hauser’s “Skymaul”—a parody of the Sky-
Mall catalog that used to be found in most airlines’ seatback pockets. She 
understands that Kasper Hauser is poking fun at consumer culture while 
realizing that she is an active part of that culture: 
We don’t necessarily need any of the things advertised in the media 
or even in magazines though we more than often desire the things 
that might not even benefit our everyday lives… I find the pepper 
self-spray quite ironic; maybe it’s just me but sometimes I feel like 
I’m actually pepper spraying myself when I purchase such things 
like are sold in the Skymall catalogue because maybe it just wasn’t 
worth it or it didn’t function as advertised. (Lisa (pseudonym). 
Reader Response to “Skymaul?”). 
In her response, Lisa knows that Kasper Hauser is presenting a par-
ticular side of the argument about consumer culture. Viewing the parody 
makes her feel a bit stupid for participating in this kind of culture—like 
she’s “pepper spraying” herself. Kasper Hauser’s “Skymaul” is biased be-
cause it only presents one side of the argument about consumerism, and 
it makes the reader aware of his or her place in the culture the group cri-
tiques—even causing the viewer to feel guilty or stupid for being part of 
that culture. 
Using biased sources in your research can be problematic, particularly 
if you do not acknowledge that the source is biased. When you are en-
gaging in critical reading assignments and/or evaluating sources for your 
research, ask yourself these questions to determine the degree to which a 
source is biased:
3. Is the author using emotional appeals/manipulation in his or 
her argument?
4. Does the author use “loaded” language to distract readers from 
relevant reasons and evidence?
Sometimes authors dismiss opposing arguments by claiming that these 
arguments are “uninformed” or “nonsensical.” Some less savvy authors will 
be as bold as to claim another viewpoint is “stupid.” Watch for these kinds 
of words because they are signs of bias. 

---

Assessing Source Credibility for Crafting a Well-Informed Argument
193
W
R
IT
IN
G 
SP
AC
E
S 3